“Aye,” she agreed. “Which is why I propose we both dae something scandalously indulgent.”
His brow lifted. “Such as?”
“A bath,” she said firmly. “A proper one. With hot water and nay talk of Sinclairs or strategies.”
He considered this with the gravity of a man weighing battle plans.
“I like this idea,” he said at last. “Immensely.”
She smiled, feeling relief and fondness curling together in her chest.
“Good. Then let us be sensible together.”
She led him down the corridor without ceremony, holding his hand, as though she had already decided he would follow and had no doubt he would comply. He was still carrying the echo of the training yard in his bones when she opened the door to her chamber and stepped aside, ushering him in with a small, satisfied smile.
He stopped short.
The room glowed with lamplight and steam. A great wooden tub dominated the space near the hearth. The water was already drawn, and faintly scented with herbs. Cloths were folded neatly nearby. The tub itself was unmistakably large enough for two.
Baird stared at it, then at her.
“How,” he asked slowly, “did ye manage this so quickly?”
Davina chuckled, closing the door behind them. “I didnae,” she said lightly. “I am nae miracle worker, despite what ye may think.”
He crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing in curiosity rather than suspicion. “Then?”
“I told the servants tae prepare it over an hour ago,” she said. “Just in case.”
He let out a low huff of laughter. “Ye planned this?”
“I hoped fer it,” she corrected.
He turned fully toward her now, the steam softening the lines of her face. “And how did ye ken I would agree tae join ye?”
She tilted her head, considering. “I didnae.”
His brow furrowed. “Then why risk it?”
Her smile turned sly. “Because I had more arguments prepared.”
He took a step closer, his presence filling the space between them. “Such as?”
She did not retreat.
“I could have reminded ye that exhaustion dulls judgment,” she said calmly. “That a laird who daesnae rest is a danger tae his people. That ye owe it tae yer men and tae me.”
He took another step.
“And if that failed?” he asked again.
Her gaze flicked briefly to his mouth, then back to his eyes. “Then I would have appealed tae yer better nature.”
He smiled. “And if that failed as well?”
She lifted her chin, pretending that she was not in the least bit flustered. “Then I would have told ye tae get intae the bath anyway.”
He laughed under his breath, stopping just close enough that he could feel the warmth of her through the steam.
