Page 62 of The Winter Laird

Reilly watchedBrianagh stab at her little pillow, marveling at how the thing still managed to stay in one piece with her ruthless assault. She’d been in a bad mood since Nioclas left almost a week ago for the MacDermotts. Reilly hadn’t seen her this grouchy since…well, he couldn’t think of when. Erin sat with Bri, shooting her puzzled looks as she set up a chessboard.

Bri’s sewing reminded Reilly of the voodoo doll she’d created when she’d been stood up for her junior prom. His jaw almost hit the floor as realization dawned. That was the last time she’d been so upset—the day she’d been used for a ticket into the junior prom by a senior. She’d had such a crush on him, and when he didn’t show to pick her up, he and Colin went on a recon mission and found the kid making out with another girl in Bri’s class.

Bri was heartbroken. The kid sported a broken nose for graduation.

Reilly studied Bri carefully. She didn’t direct her anger at any one person. Whenever Erin engaged her in conversation, she replied with a sad sort of smile. When one of the kitchen lasses brought the week’s menu to her for approval, she made a change, but was distantly pleasant to them when explaining it. No one else in the hall seemed to notice her, or perhaps they attributed her wrinkled nose and furrowed brow to her obvious hatred of sewing. Or perhaps to her missing her husband while he was away.

When Nioclas walked in with Donovan, the pain flashed so quickly across her face he would’ve missed it, had he but blinked.

Fortunately for him, he didn’t bat an eye.

Nioclas stopped by the table, exchanged some words with Erin, then turned his attention to Brianagh. Her expression softened slightly, and after a moment, he smiled at her and continued on his way. Following him with her gaze, her eyes landed on Reilly as Nioclas passed him on his way to the steps. Bri held up two fingers, then tapped her wrist.

Two months left.

It was her destiny to stay here, but Brianagh had the ability to get back without Reilly, although he was confident she didn’t know it. Reilly was certain, however, if she was bent on getting back to the future and thought he was the only one to get her there, she’d move hell and high water to track him down.

He had to make sure he was long gone before that time came. If she was going to mess things up, he didn’t want to be anywhere near it when the Fates came knocking at her door.

Chapter 17

Brianagh dragged herself up to her chamber, unwilling to watch Donovan and Erin any longer. It was embarrassing how they draped all over each other whenever they were together.

She opened the door to Nioclas’s bedchamber and froze at the sight of the steaming tub in the center of the room, with a fire dancing in the fireplace. Glancing around, she saw no one. Taking a tentative step, she called out, but there wasn’t any reply.

She closed the door, then walked over picked up the soft stack of towels by the tub. She inhaled the scent wafting from the water. Lilacs…her favorite. That was strange—who could have procured lilacs in the middle of winter? She wasn’t even sure lilacs grew in Ireland. The door opened behind her and she shrieked, the linens flying from her hands as she spun around.

Nioclas held up his hands and took a step back. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“You did,” she replied, placing a hand over her racing heart. “Do you—?” She waved at the tub.

“I was told you enjoyed bathing with lilac oils,” Nioclas said carefully, gauging her reaction, “so I obtained some for you. This room is the only one big enough for this tub.”

“Oh,” she murmured taken aback. “Thank you. That was very nice.”

“We do many trades with Italy. That’s where the oil is made.” He rubbed his neck, then paused. “I know you’re anxious to return to your home. You seemed upset earlier, and Erin assured me that a bath would soothe you.”

Bri bit her lip. “Yes, a bath would be wonderful. Thank you, Nioclas. It was very sweet of you to think of the bath oil.”

“Entirely my pleasure, my lady. Enjoy your bath. I’ll send Iona in to help with your hair.” He bowed and shut the door behind him.

Bri wasted no time stripping and sinking into the bath, worried it might cool. Glancing around at the tapestries, bedding, and what she’d done while Nioclas was gone, Bri had to admit she loved this chamber. The fire was cheery, perhaps because it illuminated the tapestries, which gave so much more color to everything. Her chamber was now all gray—the stone wall, stone floor, and even the bedding.

Depressing.

But this chamber was completely opposite. She had decorated it with comfort in mind, and the small alcove had a window that, when she opened the shutter, let in a cleansing, icy wind. She imagined it would let in a glorious summer breeze off the ocean on just the right kind of day in July or August.

She’d been in the Middle Ages for almost an entire month. She wasn’t sure how the time continuum worked, but she hoped when she returned no one would even know she’d been gone.

And despite the overwhelming urge to blame Reilly and his meddling ways—she knew who dropped the bath oil hint in Erin’s ear—she knew the blame lay entirely at her own feet. Her own treacherous heart was not listening to her very rational mind, which continually chanted,Do not fall for him,it’s only a game.

When Iona entered the chamber, Bri put her thoughts aside and finished her bath.

* * *

Nioclas couldn’t hidehis shock. It seemed his wife had been quite busy while he’d been about his business with the MacDermotts.

“All of them?” Aidan asked incredulously.

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