“And yer breath…” His thumb rested lightly against her shoulder. “Daes it come too quick? Like ye cannae quite catch it when I stand too close?”
Her lips parted on a soft, unsteady exhale, which was exactly the answer he expected. Baird swallowed, the sight undoing him.
He lifted his hand again, this time more slowly and almost reverently, and touched the curve of her neck with the back of his fingers.
“Dae ye feel tingles across yer skin,” he whispered, “when I dae this?”
A flush bloomed down her throat. She didn’t speak. She didn’t have to.
Finally, he cupped her cheek in his palm. His thumb brushed the faint heat there.
“And when I look at ye like this,” he murmured, holding her gaze, “daes it make ye blush… and look away… because the sensation is too strong tae bear?”
Davina’s eyes dropped instantly. Everything was exactly as he described.
She wasn’t pulling away. She wasn’t afraid of him. She was simply overwhelmed and honest enough to show it. That honesty undid him more than the fiercest kiss ever could.
He let his hand slide slowly from her cheek, not wanting the moment to fracture too sharply. Her fingers trailed after his for half a heartbeat before falling gently back to her side.
He stepped back, not far, just enough to ease the trembling he felt in her shoulders. “I ken I’ve pushed ye,” he admitted. “Too much, at times. More than ye were ready fer.”
Her brow knitted faintly, as though she hadn’t expected him to say it.
He continued, choosing each word with care. “Ye’ve been thrown intae a life ye didnae choose, with a husband ye barely ken, in a castle full of troubles that are nae yer making.” He shook his head, inhaling deeply. “And on top of that, I’ve been a storm ye’ve had tae weather, with me anger, grief, bad temper… mixed with moments I should’ve been wiser about.”
A shadow passed through her eyes, but she didn’t look away.
Baird softened his voice further. “I’m nae going tae force ye tae understand yer feelings before ye’re ready.” He swallowed, as the words felt rough in his throat. “I’ll give ye time, Davina, as much as ye need.”
Her eyelashes fluttered, but she seemed to be trembling less.
“I promise ye,” he said gently, “I willnae pressure ye. Nae intae words, nae intae closeness, nae intae anything. Ye have me promise.”
He held out a hand not to pull her close, but simply to offer steady presence. For the first time that night, she placed herhand in his without trembling, and she allowed him to lead her back to their chamber.
“Come,” he said quietly.
She nodded once, almost imperceptibly, and together they left the solar. Neither spoke as they walked the dim corridor. Baird kept his pace slow, not wanting her to feel hurried, not wanting to disturb the fragile calm settling over them.
At their chamber door, she hesitated for a heartbeat. He gently squeezed her hand before letting go.
“Nay expectations,” he murmured. “Only rest.”
She gave a small nod.
Inside, the fire had burned down to glowing embers. He moved to add a few logs, coaxing the warmth back into the room. Davina slipped past him and he stepped aside as she undressed behind the screen, careful to give her space. He heard the soft rustle of fabric, and then the faint sound of her hanging her gown. When she emerged with her hair falling loose down her back, he looked away out of sheer discipline. He changed quickly himself, extinguishing a lantern on the table before moving toward the bed.
Davina had already climbed in, lying on the far-right side. She curled slightly toward the edge. Baird circled to the left, climbing in slowly so the mattress barely shifted. They lay in silence, andhe knew that she was awake. He could tell by the slight catches in her breath.
He thought of touching her hand. He thought of saying something more. But then he remembered his promise. So, he stayed still.
“Goodnight, Davina,” he said softly.
After a moment, her voice answered. “Goodnight, Baird.”
He closed his eyes. For the first time since Malcolm’s death, sleep did not feel like an enemy. And for the first time since their marriage, he did not feel quite so alone in the bed they shared.
CHAPTER 15
