“You know damn well you wrote it,” he shouted. “You underlined the words.” Good God, he was going to throttle her. “And you threatened to kick my ass—again.”

“Only if you didn’t come home safely. Oh my God.” She started running her hands over his entire body. “Are you hurt?” Happiness seemed to give way to fear and her inspection turned frantic.

“Gwen.” Greylen grabbed at her roving hands. She seemed completely panicked. “Gwendolyn,” he called again, this time with a gentle shake. She finally looked up, and her expression stopped his heart.

“Tell me you’re not hurt,” she cried in a whisper. “Please…tell me…”

“Ah, Gwen…I’m sorry I left you,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I’m fine, love, I swear it. I came home safe.” That seemed to make her cry again, and he held her a moment longer before asking, “Better?”

“That depends,” she answered, her expression both cautious and hopeful as she looked up. “Did you stop by the store and get more brandy?”

“You’ve depleted our entire supply?”

“So it seems.” Gwen sighed.

“Did Gavin tell you ’tis all gone?”

“Yes,” she admitted, looking down in shame. “I’m sorry, Greylen, but you have no idea what I’ve had to deal with,” she said in her own defense. “The little boy—I just needed some Motrin. But we don’t have any. And then…then the butcher, oh God, do you know how they…” She couldn’t finish. “Well, it’s disgusting. This isn’t funny,” she yelled, poking his chest. “I had to listen to stories, too, Greylen. Stories of you—and your frigging sword.”

“Shh,” he hushed, pulling her against him. “I’m good with my sword, Gwen,” he assured her. “And as for the other things, I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help you. But you’ll be happy to know,” he said, using her words, “we have plenty of brandy, a cellar full.”

“That liar! I swear I’m gonna—”

Greylen kissed the last of her threat away, knowing exactly what ’twas. Then he held her a moment longer. “Come,” he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “There’s much to be done.”

They walked to the steps together and their smiles returned as Lady Madelyn, Isabelle, and Gavin met them in the courtyard. Greylen greeted his mother first and kissed her cheek. “’Tis good to see you, Mother.”

“’Tis good to see you, my son,” Lady Madelyn replied, touching his face.

“Isabelle, have you behaved in my absence?” Greylen asked his sister.

“You expected less?” she returned with a demure smile.

“Aye, Isabelle,” he replied dryly. “Now that Gwendolyn is with us, I fear I do.”

“In that case, mayhap there was an occasional lack of propriety.”

Greylen looked to Gwen, resigned as he shook his head. “So I’ve heard.”