Page 38 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
“Ah. Mayhap I shall accept yer offer after all, me laird.” She looked up to catch him smiling, a hint of triumph sparking in his blue eyes. “But, please allow me tae tend ye me apologies fer causing such inconvenience tae ye.”
Now he was openly grinning at her, displaying no attempt to hide his amusement.
She glared at him. “’I am pleased tae provide ye wi’ such a humorous moment, me laird.”
He cleared his throat, looking at her with an attempt at seriousness. “Ye misjudge me, lass,” he said softly. “I merely wish tae be of assistance. And I havenae forgotten yer aversion tae water and the anguish it can cause ye.”
He spoke gently and it would be foolish to discount his kindness. Shivering uncomfortably and with teeth chattering loudly, she managed a tiny smile.
“Once again, I find meself thanking ye, me laird.”
With that, he bent and hoisted her into his arms, shivering, wet and still mud-stained as she was, and took the stairs to the keep.
Davina wound her arms around his neck as he carried her, admitting to herself that there was great enjoyment in being held in the laird’s arms, warmed by his own body-heat, his breath in her wet hair and his strong arms holding her as easily as if she weighed no more than Feather.
As the entered the keep, Mildred appeared beside them, an anxious frown on her face. She was clearly aware of the goings-on in the garden. “Is Mistress Davina all right, me laird?”
Everard nodded as he strode past her toward the stairs. “Some hot water, if ye please Mildred, tae fill the copper tub in me bedchamber.”
He entered the large room and gently lowered Davina onto the center of his large, four-poster, oaken bed.
She levered herself up onto the pile of feather pillows at the head of the bed. It was all so soft, and inviting and, she was quite certain – seductive. She’d heard about seduction from one of the noblemen’s daughters at the convent. The same lass who had talked about flirting. It had sounded to her as ifbeing seducedwas something thrilling which only beautiful, noble, ladies would experience.
Alas, while shehadbeen held in a man’s arms, and hehadlowered her onto his bed, this was neither seduction, nor flirting. Merely the rescue of a bedraggled, silly lass, who should have known better than to fall flat on her face into a mud pool. She sighed. Thank goodness she was wrapped in a blanket, for otherwise she would have gotten everything wet and muddy.
Only moments after she had landed on Everard’s bed, a troop of maids entered the room carrying buckets of steaming, rose-scented, hot water. One of them laid out a stack folded white-linen towels and a deep burgundy velvet gown.
“If ye need aught else, please ring the bell.” The maid curtsied politely and followed the others out of the bedchamber.
Davina inhaled the delicious fragrance of roses filling the air. It was as if she had died and gone to heaven.
Once the tub was full and everything arrayed for Davina’s delectation, Everard turned to take his leave. “I trust this will bemore tae yer liking than the cold water from the spring and the well.” He smirked as he said this and Davina would have liked to throw one of the plump feather pillows at his head.
Instead, she rose to her feet and managed a brief curtsy, keeping a firm hold on the old blanket wrapping her.
“Me grateful thanks, me laird.”
He turned to go, but before he reached the door it opened and another maid sallied in, bearing a small rush basket from which a piteous meow issued forth.
“Healer Broderick said this wee one was fretting and thought both of ye might enjoy each other’s company.” She placed the basket on the mat before the fire.
Everard roared with laughter, stepped over and opened the lid. Immediately, Feather jumped into his waiting hands. He handed over the little, purring, creature to Davina, who cradled her, gave her a kiss, and placed her on the softest pillow. Feather curled into a tiny ball and promptly closed her eyes.
He stood watching, a smile on his lips.
“Me laird?” Davina tilted her head in the direction of the doorway, one eyebrow raised.
“Ah, yes.” Everard hastened over. “Enjoy.”
Once she was certain he was gone, she tossed off the blanket, stripped off the damp chemise, and dipped her toes into the blissfully warm water. She gently lowered herself until she was almost submerged up to her shoulders in the heady, perfumed water.
She waited, expecting a ripple of anguish to seep into her bones.
No anguish. Only warm, silky sensations as the water played over her skin, slipping over her shoulders, over her legs and arms, washing over her breasts and teasing their pink tipped nubs.
For the first time in her life, Davina became aware of the pleasure of her naked body.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
