Page 34 of Intrigued By A Highlander

“Oh, my goodness and here I thought—” Lady Agatha shook her head.

“You should have asked me before you took off, Agatha,” a voice called out from a dark corner.

“Did you see it all, Da?” Lady Agatha asked.

A slim, elderly man stepped out of the shadows. “I saw the whole thing, every bit of it.”

Dru turned and she could feel panic rise in Ethan beside her. “Good, someone to confirm what I said.”

Knox looked from Dru to the elderly man. It was quick but he caught it. An exchange of sorts between them.

“She’s right. It was a fat rat, and Ethan did a good job, trying to help her,” the elderly man said.

You could hear the sincerity in Ethan’s voice when he said, “Thanks, Grandda.”

Servants carrying jugs and platters of food entered the Great Hall.

“Everyone sit and eat before any matters are discussed,” Lady Agatha commanded. “Knox, you and your lovely wife join us at the dais. And you too, Ethan, for paying heed to your da’s word and trying to keep Dru safe.”

Knox took hold of his wife’s arm when she went to walk past him and whispered, “Later, you will tell me the truth.”

“Come, Dru,” Lady Agatha called out. “I have water and a cloth so you can clean your face and Ethan can wash up as well.”

Dru smiled at her husband and hurried to Lady Agatha.

The elderly man stepped beside Knox. “Your wife has a kind and good soul. You are lucky to have her.” He chuckled. “Remember that the next time she gets herself into trouble.”

CHAPTER 10

“Travel is dusty and causes endless aches,” Lady Agatha said as she opened the door to a bedchamber and stepped aside. “So, I had a tub prepared where you can rid yourself of the dust and ease your aches. There’s wine as well.” She pointed to the jug and tankards on the small table. “If you need assistance?—”

“We will do fine on our own,” Knox said, “and thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

“I almost forgot,” Lady Agatha said as she went to leave. “Those items you requested, Knox, are on the bed. Sleep well.”

Dru walked over to the bed and one look had her turning an angry glare on Knox. “I don’t take charity.”

“I paid for those garments,” Knox informed her, slipping out of his shirt. “I won’t have my wife looking like a poor waif. Now strip and get into the tub while the water is warm enough.”

His command had her ignoring the garments and protesting. “I’ll not strip in front of you.”

“How often must I remind you that you are not only my wife but that we have seen each other naked already? We have nothing to hide from each other.”

Dru shook her head firmly. “I don’t care. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Fine. I’ll turn around until you are safely beneath the water.” He turned. “Don’t take long.”

Dru wasn’t going to deny herself the pleasure of a warm bath, so she quickly agreed. “Aye. I’ll hurry.”

And she did, rushing out of her garments and boots and climbing into the large tub. The heated water welcomed her, rushing around her as she submerged herself to her neck.

“You can turn around now,” she said and saw that Knox had gone to the table to fill a tankard of wine, his back to her the whole time.

He turned—two tankards in his hands. “Wine?”

She went to stretch her hand out and stopped. “I should hurry and wash so the water will at least have some warmth left in it for you.”

Knox held the tankard out to her. “Take your time. I do not intend to linger in the tub.”

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