“’Twill only be for the night,” he said.
Aillenn smiled in agreement.Then, apparently deciding they didn’t look enough like a couple, the saucy lass linked her arm through Adam’s and gazed up at him with adoring eyes.Adoring eyes with just a gleam of vengeful mischief.
She was going to be trouble.He could see that.
The trouble began the moment Tilda showed them to the rose chamber.A very large, conspicuous bed curtained in rich red velvet monopolized the room.A linen-lined wooden tub sat on a dais in one corner.Two chairs, their cushions embroidered with red blossoms, flanked the tub, as if set there to observe bathers.The white plaster walls were painted with green twining stems and red roses, broken only where the hearth guarded a low-burning fire.Against one wall stood a small table topped by a basin and pitcher, a mirror, a comb, linens, and vials of assorted oils.
“What a lovely chamber,” Aillenn exclaimed.
Adam frowned.It was clearly the room Pitcairn used to entertain his mistresses.
“Would m’lady like a warm bath after supper?”Tilda offered.
“That would be delightful,” Aillenn gushed.
Adam frowned.That would not be delightful.It would be dangerous.
“Isn’t that a kind offer, Ronan?”Aillenn said with a bright smile.
“Kind.Aye.”
Tilda continued.“There’s enough fuel for the fire to last the night, and I think ye’ll find the bed comfortable.”She gave Aillenn a wink.“’Tis goose-down.”
“Lovely.”
“I’ll send a maid up to fetch ye for supper,” Tilda said.“Meanwhile, if there’s anythin’ ye need, m’lady, m’laird, I’m a whistle away.”
The instant Tilda bobbed her head and closed the door, Aillenn whirled toward Adam.Her smile vanished.She frowned and poked him in the chest.
“Why did ye tell him that?”she hissed.“Why did ye say we were married?”
“I…panicked,” Adam lied.
“Ye?The man who feigned to be the emissary o’ the Pope?”She crossed her arms over her chest.“I don’t believe that.So why then?”
He curled his lip, rubbing at the spot where she’d poked him.“’Twas an accident.”
She arched a dubious brow.“An accident is fallin’ into the burn.Ye announced it like ye were the town crier.”
Damn.Could he hide nothing from the lass?
“Fine,” he grumbled.“I didn’t like the way Pitcairn was lookin’ at ye.”
“What do ye mean?”
He scowled, waving his arms in disgust.“Did ye not see?He was lickin’ his lips like ye were his next meal.His eyes all full o’ hunger.His droolin’ chin on the floor.His trews swellin’ up like—” He stopped as he saw Aillenn begin to blush, wishing he could stuff the words back into his mouth.Then he lowered his arms and sighed.“I only meant to protect ye from unwanted advances.”
“I know how to thwart unwanted advances.”
“Do ye?”he accused, unreasonably vexed.“Because the man didn’t seem to be the least bit thwarted.”
“Why should ye care?”
“Because I…”
He hesitated, staring into her inquisitive eyes.Eyes that shone like dark pools in moonlight.Eyes full of kindness and strength, wit and wisdom.
What?Love you?Want you for myself?Can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching you?Holding you?Pressing their lips to…
