Thaw gave a bark, walked in front of Tarass, then looked back as if letting him know he was ready to go.

“I’ll have him back shortly,” Tarass said, letting her know they were leaving. “Nettle, get her settled in bed, then bring her a hot brew.”

“Aye, my lord,” Nettle said and closed the door behind him and Thaw.

“Lord Tarass is such a handsome man. All the unwed women want him, but he has made it clear that he will wed to benefit the clan. A few don’t care and warm his bed anyway. Tongues wag that there is no one woman that can please him, his appetite for coupling too great for a single woman to satisfy.”

Snow realized now why Nettle was told to hold her tongue, she had a wagging tongue and could keep nothing she heard to herself. She had to smile, since at the moment that suited Snow just fine. Not that she needed to know about Tarass’s thirst for coupling. She cared not who he coupled with, though she did feel sorry for his future wife unless of course the woman wouldn’t care. She, on the other hand, would not want a husband who wasn’t faithful. It would mean he did not love or respect her enough to be an honorable husband.

She had no worries, though. She and Tarass would never be husband and wife.

Tarass stood wrapped in his fur-lined cloak. The wind was strong and the snow fell heavily and surprisingly, Thaw was taking his time seeing to his needs.

“He prowls to learn the lay of the land,” Rannock said as he approached Tarass. “He’s got good instincts about him for a runt.”

Thaw’s head snapped to the right and he let loose with such an angry growl that it had both men’s brows shooting up.

“I don’t think he cares for you calling him a runt,” Tarass said with a chuckle.

“I apologize,” Rannock said with a bob of his head at the pup. “Anyone named after the god Thor should be treated with respect.”

Tarass held back the laughter that rumbled up in him. If his clan wanted to believe the pup was named after Thor, so be it. Though, why they believed a Highland woman would name her dog after a Norse god he’d never understand.

“The men are ready to go as soon as the snow slows,” Rannock said, turning his attention to Tarass.

“With night fallen, tomorrow will be soon enough. Unless it worsens overnight. If so, the retrieval of the body will have to wait for another time.”

“At least the snow will keep it hidden.”

“While the men are out there, widen your search some and see if you come upon two horses and another body,” Tarass ordered.

“Another body? Horses? What goes on, Tarass?”