Gregor strode through the passageway surprised when he reached his destination to find the bedchamber door assigned to Emily ajar. He knocked on the wood, and the oak panel creaked farther open, exposing to view the most delightful sight.
Emily’s blue eyes—eyes that haunted him since the first—fluttered open.
She smiled. “Oh, hi.”
Gregor was taken aback by the pleasant greeting.
The lass seemed different. Her gaze held a tenderness that hadn’t been there earlier. As if she was glad to see him. His mouth went dry, and he had to clear a parched throat. He hesitated, trying to remember why he had sought her out.
“I probably shouldn’t be here, but…” He raked a hand through his tangled hair. Did he really believe interrupting her bath would help plead his case? “I thought we could talk and perhaps I might convince you to accept an apology for my misplaced shot.”
“Forgiven and forgotten,” she said, still smiling.
“That is good. Thank you.” He exhaled a short breath. “As to my offer of marriage. I wish you would reconsider my heartfelt proposal. I wish only to ensure your safety and that of thebairn.”
Not true.He desired much more.
He swallowed uneasily. He shouldn’t be staring at her as if he was a green lad again and found himself in the company of the most comely lass at the fair. He definitely shouldn’t be gazing upon her while she bathed. An immediate arousal had him shifting his weight. Thank the Saints above, he no longer wore his leathertrewsand had donned aplaide. The lass would remain unaware of his ardor.
“You are kind,” she said.
“I should not be here. I had not realized you bathed.” He stumbled over the words. “Should leave.”
“No. Come in.” A dainty hand waved him forward.
Unable to deny her, he stepped through the threshold. Awkward. Unsure how to proceed.
“Will you close the door?” she asked. “When open, it causes a draft from the window.”
He hesitated. Many would believe it wrong for him to be alone with her with the door shut. Especially with her state of undress. She would be compromised. He didn’t mind as long as she seemed unconcerned. He’d be the one to benefit if the chief forced her hand.
Gregor had always thought it unfair an unwed lass couldattend to the bath of a man, but the same woman was forbidden to be attended by a man. He closed the door, took a deep breath, and turned toward the lass he yearned to take as wife. Once wed, they could attend to each other’s bathing without censure.
The intimate thought brought warmth to his chest and fire to his blood.
“Come closer,” she said. “We’re to be married after all.”
His eyes widened. Had he heard correctly? He forced the shock from his features and glanced at Emily from under lowered lashes. Had she noted his reaction?
“Have you changed your mind then?” he managed to ask in a steady voice, concealing a fervor of hope.
Sometimes he found her words confusing, but he felt certain she’d claimed they were to wed. He took several steps deeper into the chamber. Inhaled sharply. Froze. Stared into the tub. Although the herbs floating on the surface shadowed her breasts, the moist skin above—caressed by lapping water when she moved—was most appealing.
“Had I misunderstood?” Her brow furrowed. “I thought we had agreed to marry tomorrow.”
He jerked his intent gaze from the moisture shimmering on her skin to her bemused eyes.
When had she changed her mind? Why hadn’t he been told?
He cleared his throat. Moistened his lips. “Aye. We are in agreement. We wed on the morrow in the chapel directly after breaking our fast at a wedding feast.”
“Gregor, what are you doing in here?” Lady Isobell said as she strode into the chamber, carrying a stack of drying cloths. “You ken ’tis not fitting for you to be alone with Emily while she bathes, and especially with the door closed.”
Although Lady Isobell quoted the tenets of proper behavior, her tone contained only token censure. The edges of her lips quivered as if she struggled to suppress a smile.
“You will be pleased to learn Emily has agreed to become my wife.” He shot a grin her direction then glanced back at the beautiful woman who’d just made him the happiest manat Castle Lachlan. “Perhaps, Mistress Emily, you would walk with me at sunrise and allow me to show you the walled garden before we break our fast and wed?”
“I’m sure to enjoy that.” She beamed.
