Bella nodded and turned to go.
"Bella."
She paused, looking back at him with those intelligent eyes that saw far too much.
"The new chambers...they're comfortable.Ye'll be warm there."
It was perhaps the gentlest thing he'd said to her since their wedding.Judging by the way Bella's eyes widened, she knew it."Thank ye," she whispered.
Then she was gone, disappearing back into the kitchens, leaving Boyd standing alone in the corridor with his thoughts in turmoil.
He'd meant to keep her at a distance.To make her suffer.To punish her for what he believed she'd done.Instead, he'd discovered that punishing Bella meant torturing himself.
Three days ago, he'd been so certain of his anger.Now, he wasn't certain of anything anymore.
***
LATER THAT EVENING, Boyd stood in his chamber, staring at the wall that separated his room from the chamber next door.
He could hear movement on the other side as servants prepared a warm bath for Bella.When they had left and he heard the chamber door close, that's when he heard water splashing and began to imagine his beautiful wife, naked and soaking her glorious body by the roaring fireplace.He closed his eyes when he heard a soft moan, no doubt the heated water was massaging her tired limbs.Boyd was hard as a pike.He wanted nothing more than to open the adjoining door, strip down to nothing and join her in that bath.Boyd groaned as his mind took over with sensual thoughts of him ravishing his wife, taking her with abandon.
He opened his eyes and shook his head.He needed to stop this.
Eventually there was nothing but silence next door as he imagined Bella toweling herself by the fire and enjoying its warmth.That brought him satisfaction that he was finally providing for his wife in the manner she deserved.But with it came a gnawing sense of dread, that having her so close was going to wreck him in other ways.
By moving Bella next door, he'd brought her close enough that only a wall separated their beds.Close enough that he wouldn't be able to ignore her presence.Wouldn't be able to resist the temptation she posed.
A knock at his door interrupted his spiraling thoughts.
"Enter."
Mrs.Anders stepped in, her face wreathed in smiles."The mistress is settled.The chambers are warm, the bed is made, and she has everything she needs.I've also assigned one of the young maids to serve as her lady's maid beginning in the morn."
"Good.That's...good.Thank ye, Mrs.Anders for all ye've done."Boyd cleared his throat."How is she?"
"Overwhelmed," Mrs.Anders replied gently."She kept saying it was too much.That she did not deserve such luxury.But I could see the relief in her eyes when she felt the warmth of the fire.Though she tried to hide it."
Guilt twisted in Boyd's chest again."Make sure she has extra blankets and hot stones for her bed."
"I'll see to everything," Mrs.Anders assured him."Dinnae worry.The mistress will want for nothing."
After she left, Boyd moved to the window, staring out at the darkening landscape.He'd done the right thing, moving Bella to comfort and safety.He knew that.So why did it feel like he'd just made everything infinitely more complicated?
Boyd pressed his forehead against the cold glass of the window and made a decision.
He needed some space to think away from the Keep.
Tomorrow, he would leave.There were clan matters that needed his attention in the western territories.Work that would take him away from MacKinnon Keep for at least a month.
It was the coward's way out, perhaps.Running from his own wife because he couldn't face what he was feeling.
But Boyd had never claimed to be brave when it came to Bella Sutherland.
He turned from the window and began making mental preparations for his departure.He'd leave at first light, before Bella woke.Before he had to confront the growing certainty that he was still hopelessly in love with his wife.
***
IN THE BLUE CHAMBERon the other side of the wall, Bella stood before the roaring fire, her hands extended toward the blessed warmth, and she tried not to cry.
