Page 80 of The Lover's Eye
A devilish grin broadened his lips.“Oh, but dearest, Iwould.”
He began reaching his bare forearm deeper into the water, grimacing at the heat but not relenting as his fingers trailed along Isobel’s submerged body.
“Stop it!”she laughed, pushing his invading arm away and causing a good-sized splash that flecked his shirt and waistcoat with dark droplets.
“Later,” he said, winking.
Isobel leant up, crossing her arms on the brim of the tub and resting her chin on them.“My bath is going to get cold if you stay and distract me.What is it you’ve come to say?”
“I don’t think we’re in any danger of that,” he joked, but his face settled into a more serious expression.His blue eyes fixed on Isobel as if she were the only living creature in all the world.“I wanted to remind you that whatever that old gabster said today, you mustn’t believe her.”
Isobel gave a small nod.“I am all right.”
Giles cocked his head to one side.“There’s no need to lie.I’ve watched it affect you all day.”
She swallowed and looked away.Was she truly so easily read?
He put two fingers under her chin and turned her back toward him.“I need you to believe that she cannot hurt you.No one can, Isobel.It is you and I now, and I couldn’t be happier for it.Do you understand?”
She nodded with more tenacity, a little smile perking her lips.
“Excellent.”He planted a long kiss on her mouth.“I will see you later tonight, perhaps?”
“Yes, you shall.”
He began walking away, and Isobel called him back.
“Yes?”
“Thank you, Giles.”
Even after he had gone and the corridor had grown still with quiet, Isobel continued smiling, submerged up to her chin in water.She had a little fire of happiness burning within her now, a comfort far greater than any external luxuries.
She loved him.She was gripped by a desire to tell him—she need only wait for the right moment, the best words.
Isobel knew she needed to scrub her skin, to cleanse the dirt and grime of travel.She would feel better for it.But a sparkling blissfulness seemed to crown her head, allowing it to slacken against the copper tub.Perhaps if she just rested for a few minutes …
A knocking at her chamber door awoke Isobel with a start.The water that had soothed her was now cold and uncomfortable.
“Milady, may I come in?”Betsey asked on the other side of the door.
“Yes,” she called, grabbing the sponge.
Betsey entered the room with a large pail.“I thought you might be in want of some more hot water.”
“Oh, Betsey, you are a gem.I’m afraid I dozed off.”
The addition of hot water made the tub bearable again, the temperature tepid enough to calm Isobel’s freezing flesh.
“It’s no wonder, after all your travel.It’s not good for a young lady to be traipsing about so,” Betsey said with a maternal air, even though she was not much older than her charge.
“I will rest well tonight,” Isobel assured her, momentarily surprised by her own certainty.Giles had given her that, and she remembered he was waiting for her.“Betsey, is Giles still in the library?”
“Yes, milady.”The maid raised a brow.“Would you like me to return in a few minutes and help you prepare for bed?”
Isobel nodded enthusiastically.The cooling temperature of her bath, coupled with a great desire to see her husband, propelled her through the motions of her washing with haste.She dried herself and slipped into a nightdress, and when Betsey returned, she plaited her freshly washed hair and massaged rosewater and almond cream into her skin.
She positioned herself by the fire with a book to wait on Giles.She was tempted to hurry him along, but didn’t want to incur more of Finch’s disapproval.But when half an hour had passed and her eyes started to grow hazy from yawning, Isobel stood and went to her husband’s chambers.
