Davina flushed. “Nay… it is nae.”
He studied the narrow mattress with the seriousness of a man planning a military formation.
“There’s only one way fer us both tae fit without falling off.”
She turned her head warily. “And what way is that?”
He hesitated only a fraction. Then he extended his arm, opening a space against his chest, a place meant forher.
“If ye lie halfway atop me,” he tried to explain in a manner that would not make it appear as what it truly was, “we’ll have room. Me shoulder fer yer pillow, me arm around ye.”
Davina’s heart lurched. Anembrace?
“And I will behave,” he added quickly. “Ye have me word.”
She swallowed. Her fingers twisted in the blanket. “I… I dinnae ken if that’s wise.”
“It may nae be wise,” he agreed softly, “but it’s the only way we’ll sleep. The bed is too small fer anything else.”
His arm remained extended, but it was not demanding, nor assuming. It was simply warmly inviting.
Her breath trembled. She could feel her pulse fluttering wildly beneath her skin as she shifted, inching toward him. She felt almost foolish, trembling like a skittish fawn, but she could not stop it.
He noticed instantly.
“Are ye cold?” he murmured.
“Nay,” she whispered. “Just… tired.”
And before the moment could overwhelm her, she moved the last bit forward, letting her head come to rest against his shoulder. His arm slid around her back with a gentleness she didn’t expect of him. He drew the blanket over both of them with his free hand, tucking it around her so the warmth would hold.
She could feel the slow rise and fall of his chest beneath her cheek. His heartbeat thudded steadily under her ear, grounding and strangely soothing.
“Comfortable?” he asked in a hush.
She nodded. She was too tired and too aware to speak. He let his fingers rest lightly against her upper arm. And slowly, the tension in her body melted into the warmth of him. Her breathing steadied and so did his. And there, in that tiny tavern bed, with rain pounding the windows and the storm winds howling outside, they drifted, bit by bit, into restful sleep.
CHAPTER 18
The storm had eased by dawn, leaving the tavern quiet except for the soft creak of settling wood. Pale morning light slipped through the shutters, brushing across the tiny bed where Baird lay half-awake, and Davina still nestled lightly against him.
For one peaceful heartbeat, he allowed himself to breathe in the faint scent of lavender from her hair and the warmth of her resting against his shoulder. He hadn’t slept so soundly in… he couldn’t remember how long.
Years, perhaps.
But the moment she stirred, he forced his arm to loosen, letting her shift away.
Davina blinked up at him. “Good morning.” Her voice was still laced with a dreamlike quality that made her not only appear, but also sound, ethereal.
“Aye,” he murmured, sitting up.
She stretched delicately, brushing hair from her eyes. “Ye look well rested.”
He stilled. Her tone was innocent, even pleased. But the words struck deeper than she knew.
Davina sat up too, smoothing her wrinkled chemise. “I mean… usually ye toss and turn much more.” She offered a small, cautious smile. “I thought that was simply… how ye were.” Her gaze grew thoughtful. “But it seems yecansleep calmly.”
Baird’s stomach tightened.
