“Aye?”Her heart was in her throat.
“I should have stopped.I’m sorry.”
A tiny fissure cracked her heart.Nay,her mind spoke.Don’t be sorry.I’m not sorry.Nay, ye should have gone on and on, driven me mad with desire.’Tis what I wanted, after all.
Instead, she said the correct thing.“’Twasn’t your fault.”
That was true.She’d been the one to launch herself at him against the door.
“We have to keep our wits about us,” he said.
“O’ course.”She supposed he was right.Damn him.
He wrapped his hands in linens to protect them from the heat.Then he fetched the cauldron of simmering water from the hearth and poured a measure into the tub.“More?”
She tested the temperature with her hand.“Oh aye, much more, all of it.”Then mischief wagged her tongue.“Otherwise, ’twill be cold by the time ye get your turn.”
He arched a brow at her.“Just how long a bath are ye plannin’ to take?”
She grinned.“When did ye say we were leavin’ on the morrow?”
“Saucy lass,” he chided, pouring in the rest of the hot water.“Be out before midnight, or I’m climbin’ in beside ye.”
Eve choked out a laugh.Her cheeks turned to flame.Adam’s words had painted a vivid picture in her mind, and it wasn’t an altogether unpleasant image.Unsure what to do or say in reply, she turned away from the bold knave and busied herself rounding up the linens.
“So tell me,” Adam said, setting down the cauldron and unwrapping the linen from his hands, “how does an Irish noblewoman know so much about curin’ ills?”
She wasn’t about to tell him she was a nun with access to an extensive herb garden and medical texts.So she shrugged.“How does an outlaw know so much about sword fightin’?”
His eyes sparkled with amusement.“Point to Lady Aillenn,” he acknowledged.
One by one, Eve picked up the vials on the table to sniff at their contents.It seemed cruel to make Adam bathe in water scented by flowers.So she chose one with a warm and spicy scent.
As she poured the oil into the steaming water, Adam let out an audible yawn that was definitely forced.
“I fear my eyes grow weary,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling off his boots.“Wake me when ye’re done, aye?”
She saw through his ruse.He was trying to be chivalrous.Standing guard over her while assuring her he’d keep his eyes closed.It was an honorable gesture.
Why then did she feel a twinge of disappointment?
Why did she half hope he’d steal a glance at her through the velvet curtains?
What was wrong with her?
After all, he’d said it himself.They needed to keep their wits about them.
True to his word, he climbed atop the coverlet, stretched out on the bed, and closed his eyes.One hand reached up to loosen the tie around the curtain, and the velvet folds fell to obscure his view.
With a shuddering sigh, Eve proceeded with her bath.She pulled off her shoes and hose.She removed her gown, draping it carefully over a chair.In the convent, she was expected to bathe in her leine for decency’s sake.Here, she wasn’t required to be so modest.Still, she took one precautionary glance toward the bed to be sure he wasn’t sneaking a peek.
From behind the curtain, she could hear the soft sawing of his breath.He must be deep in slumber.
In one hasty movement, she slipped out of her leine and sank into the tub.
Then she let out a long sigh.
The water was heavenly.Hot.Fragrant.Soothing.
