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“Can I get you anything else?”

She followed his gaze to the bowl and sighed. “Nay, you’ve been more than gracious—”

“A bath, perhaps?”

He was jesting!

“Surely you cannot . . . that is, it would cause too much fuss—”

That smile. She was sure no one could resist it.

“A tub would be difficult . . .”

“I assumed as much.”

“But that is not the only way to cleanse oneself.”

The washbowl? But she’d already used it.

“There is a river just down the hill, behind an area the men use to train.”

“A river?”

Clarissa had never bathed in a river. She’d crossed one only once, on her way to the tournament, but she’d been on horseback then. She remembered the sunlight’s reflection on the shallow water, and how the flow of it entranced her. She’d laughed when her horse kicked up spray onto her gown.

“I will warn you, lass. It’s more than a wee bit cold this time of year. But it can be—”

“Aye!” She did not need to hear more. “I will do it.”

Would she ever get the chance to bathe in a river again? Likely not. Clarissa smiled at the idea of nuns undressing on a riverbank, preparing to—

“I wish you would smile more often.” He said it softly, almost like a prayer.

Clarissa lifted her chin. “’Tis easy to do with you.”

“Then come.” He took her hand. “A bath and another smile. I promise to give you both this eve.”

A shiver of excitement ran through her as she imagined an alternate meaning for his words.

Chapter 15

Add this decision to the litany of my mistakes since Clarissa appeared in that courtyard asking for assistance.

As he led her through the corridors that would deposit them directly in front of the gatehouse, Aidan had plenty of time to ponder the events of the day, including this hasty invitation to the river, which would do nothing to put distance between him and Clarissa.

Gillian’s question plagued him. Was there another way? No matter how much he wished there were, he doubted it. He’d already considered the possibility she’d suggested, only to throw it out. Involving the Waryns or Clave would endanger their negotiations with Theffield—and endanger their friends. His logical mind assured him Clarissa had devised the safest plan possible—and yet he could not accept it.

“This way,” he said, pushing the thoughts aside.

They exited just inside the gate. Aidan looked back to ensure Clarissa was well hidden behind him, then called to the guard. When the portcullis was lifted, he hurried her toward the path he’d shown Allie back when their training sessions with the longsword were still a secret. Though they’d never met this late in the evening, with only the moonlight to guide them, he and Allie had taken this footpath most evenings before supper.

Clarissa caught up to him as they bounded down the hill. When she passed him, he had to run to catch up. Evading him, she ran faster. Aidan would have let her best him, but the lass didn’t know where she was going. So he ran ahead and guided her past the training yard and toward the river. When they reached its banks, both of them out of breath, the beautiful sound of her laughter filled the air.

“A gentleman would have let the lady win,” she said, the hood of her cape having long since fallen.

“And where, precisely, would you have run to, my lady? Or have you been here before without the pleasure of my company?”

“If I’ve been here, it was only in a dream,” she said. Then, perhaps realizing the implication of her words, she added, “No, I’ve not been here before and would have likely led us astray.”