She stepped behind the wall and into the bath and sat down, enjoying the caress of the hot water on her sore muscles. After a quick wash, she leaned her head back against the wooden tub and relaxed her whole body, letting her mind run free while the warm water lapped around her.
What an amazing turn her life had taken. Here she sat, hundreds of years from home, her closest confidante a bossy little terrier.
She had to smile in spite of herself. To think she’d fought the whole psychic talking-animal thing for weeks. Now, after only two days of allowing them to flood her mind with their thoughts and pictures, it felt as natural as having a conversation with a person.
“Weird,” she murmured into the silent room.
It was so quiet out here, the crackle of the fireplace and the gentle noises of the little stream the only sounds other than the gentle slosh of water when she moved.
“I’ll just soak here for a minute more,” she murmured as her eyes drifted shut.
“Rider at the gate!”
The yell from high atop the wall walk shattered the evening silence.
Caden dropped the bundle he carried and raced across the inner bailey and up the stairs leading to the wall walk. As he burst through the doorway, the guards-man on duty stopped him with a shake of his head.
“Sorry, Caden. It’s only one of the shepherds coming in. I heard his mount but couldna see him until he reached the light of our torches.”
Caden nodded, steeling his face as he held his emotions in check.
It had been more than a fortnight since the lone rider had approached that very same gate bringing news of Colin’s capture and the ransom demanded for his release. More than a fortnight since Blane and his small party of men rode out those same gates to pay the ransom and bring Colin and Alasdair home. More than a fortnight with nary a single word about either his cousin the laird or his youngest brother and the friend who’d been taken with him.
Caden stooped to retrieve the bundle of clothing he had dropped before continuing on his original path toward the bathhouse.
He’d missed his morning soak. After all these years, he realized he rather enjoyed the practice and felt his day was incomplete without it.
Though he’d given up his chance this morning for a good cause. He felt a grudging smile grow as he remembered the look on Ellie’s face when she realized fleas from her beastie herd had infested her as well.
Then he thought of her as she’d looked outside, the thin drying towel falling away to reveal more and more. Thought of how she’d felt under his hands, warm and firm.
Oh yes, he needed that bath. But he wouldn’t need to spend much time heating the water. In fact, the colder the better.
Ducking his head as he walked through the doorway, Caden entered the bathhouse. He dropped his bundle by the nearest tub and pulled his shirt off over his head, dropping it at his feet. Only when he sat down on the bench to remove his boots did he notice the clothing already lying there. And the dirty pile on the floor.
That’s fair odd.
There weren’t a large number of regular bathers here at Dun Ard. His family had all acquired the habit, but the majority of the people who worked and lived there hadn’t.
Reaching a tentative hand down to the garment on the floor, he fingered the cloth, recognizing the mud-spattered overdress. He’d seen Ellie wearing it as she’d comically chased those damn beasties of hers around this afternoon, a whole gaggle of laughing children following in her footsteps.
Why would she leave her soiled clothing out here? And more important, why was her clean clothing laid out here as well?
Caden cocked his head to the side, listening intently. At first he heard only the crackle of the fire and the bubbling of the stream that passed through the bathhouse. Concentrating harder, he picked it up.
The slow, quiet rhythm of breathing.
He stood and walked over to the fire, glancing around the wall separating the bathing tubs as he passed.
Ellie lay in the tub. He could just see her face resting on the edge and one lovely arm draping over the side.
By all the Fates!
The confounding woman was asleep!
He picked up a water bucket and swung, smacking it into the side of the great black cauldron with a resounding thud.
Ellie awoke with a start, jolted by a loud noise from her pleasant dream into a place that was cold and uncomfortable. It took an instant to remember where she was.
How could she have fallen asleep in this stupid tub?
Every part of her body felt stiff and cold as she sat up, the chilled water sloshing around her. She lifted her hand up to rub her neck but froze when she heard someone clear his throat behind her.
Slowly she turned, pulling her body snug up against the tub as she looked that direction, the dread in the pit of her stomach telling her who she would see before she looked.
“Have you decided now to make this yer new bed?”
Caden.
He stood by the fire, a large bucket in his hand. But it wasn’t what he held that riveted her attention. He was dressed in nothing more than the plaid wrapped around him. The flickering light of the fireplace danced off his bare chest. Surely it was just an optical illusion that made him look so large. So muscular. So appealing.
Why, why, why? It felt as if she’d saved up every stupid mistake throughout her whole life just so she could commit each and every one of them in front of this man. She swallowed hard, stalling, trying to gather her thoughts, feeling at a distinct disadvantage.
“I guess I fell asleep. I was really tired when I came out here.” She steeled herself for the lecture she knew would be coming.
Instead he turned from her and dipped his bucket into the huge steaming cauldron before carrying it past her to the other side of the wall, splashing the water into the other tub.
“What are you doing?”
He barely spared her a glance as he made a second trip to and from the cauldron, once again emptying his bucket. “I missed my morning bath because of you. I dinna intend to forgo this one.”
She shivered as she watched him lift the steaming bucket, the muscles in his back rippling with minimal effort.
She had to get out of here.
Unfortunately all her things, her drying cloth and her clothing, lay on the bench in the room. Out past the divider wall.
Crap.
There was no discreet way to get to them.
“Um…would you mind tossing that drying cloth over here?”
Caden put the bucket back on its hook and crossed his arms over his chest, looking at her from across the room as if considering what she asked. “No. I think not.”
He crossed to the other side of the partition and she heard the splashing of water.
Oh. My. God. It sounded like the man was getting into his bath. The sudden visual she had of all those rippling muscles climbing into a tub less than six feet away from her—buck naked, no less—tore another shuddering breath from her.
“No?” she squeaked. “All you have to do is toss it over here.”
“You can get it yerself. You did tell me this morning that you were responsible for yer own self, did you no?”
More splashing.
The water she sat in felt like ice now and her teeth were beginning to chatter. Pride or no pride, she really couldn’t hold out much longer.
“But I can’t get to my things without walking in front of you.”
“That should no be a problem for you. After all, yer the one who told me there’s nothing wrong with the human body. I wouldna want to be thought mede-val.”
She could actually hear the smirk in his voice. “Medieval,” she corrected absently, wishing she could take back everything she had said earlier. Her grandmama used to have a saying about using care with your words in case you had to eat them later.
Crap. She’d really let her mouth—and her temper—get her in a fix this time.
“Okay. Maybe I was a little hasty this morning.
I was angry with you treating me like I’m stupid all the time.” She paused, waiting for some response. When all she heard was more splashing, she began to feel desperate. “I’m really cold over here, Caden. Please.”
Just great. Now she sounded like some whiney, begging little girl.
“Verra well.” His arm appeared at the end of the partition, the drying cloth clasped in his hand. A little toss and it landed only a foot from her tub.
Shivering, she climbed out and clumsily wrapped the cloth around herself, her fingers so cold it was difficult to tuck everything properly.
“Are you decent now? As decent as you get, that is.”
“Yes.”
She barely had the word out before he appeared around the partition, a scowl on his face. Grasping her shoulders, he shuffled her toward the fire.
“I never thought you stupid, Ellie. And I dinna intend to treat you as such. But you dinna seem to realize that you need to think before you act. I’m only concerned about yer welfare. It’s an unsettled time in our land. We’ve men working here who are little more than strangers. I canna vouch for all of them being trustworthy.”
He stood behind her, his hands rubbing rapidly up and down her arms as she faced the fire. “You’ve no a bit of warmth left to you, lass. What were you thinking to stay in the water so long?”
She shook her head, unable to think of any good answer. The fact that what he said made sense didn’t help at all.
Allowing him to turn her around so the fire could warm her backside, she realized he was still dressed in his plaid and completely dry. “I thought I heard you get in your bath.”
He shrugged and resumed vigorously rubbing her arms. “A bit of deception on my part.”
She didn’t even care right now. The heat radiated off his body and she leaned into him, resting her cold cheek against his warm, bare chest. He stilled for only an instant before his arms came up around her, enfolding her into an embrace.
She lifted her hands to his chest and the wall of muscle jumped under her touch. She probably should feel guilty, but she just couldn’t. It felt wonderful here in his arms. She looked up, intending to apologize for what must have felt like two ice cubes she’d pressed against his body, but his expression stopped her words before they formed.
He was going to kiss her. She was sure of it. And, to her surprise, she wanted him to. He dipped his head toward her and she closed her eyes, eagerly anticipating what was to come.
“Caden!” Steafan’s voice echoed from somewhere out beyond the door. “Caden! Are you out here?”
Caden pushed her away and over to the partition. “Stay here and be quiet. It would no do at all for us to be found out here together. When I’ve left, I want you back in the keep. Will you do that?” He waited for her to nod her agreement before he scooped up her clothes and shoved them at her. Then he strode toward the door.
“Aye,” he called out. “I’m here.”
Ellie backed into the shadows clutching her bundle.
“There’s a problem in the pastures. One of the shepherds has come to fetch you. They need you up there.”
The men’s voices grew faint as they left the bathhouse.
Ellie quickly slipped on her shift and overdress, giving Caden more time to draw Steafan away. She waited until she could hear nothing at all before starting back to the house, knowing that the shivers going through her body now had nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with what she had just experienced.
How could one man make her feel so angry one minute and so exceedingly far from angry the next?
A shiver raced up her body, leaving a trail of goose bumps raised on her skin.
She really had to figure out what she needed to do to get home and do it. Fast.
Eleven
“I do so hate this part.” Plopping down in the chair next to Ellie, Sallie lifted her feet to the small stool nearest the fire. “I feel like an overripe fruit, ready to burst.”
“I think you look great for someone who’s expecting a baby any day.”
Ellie meant her words. Sallie was a lovely woman. Her fiery red hair picked up glints from the sun shining through the open shutters. And even though her petite body was very obviously pregnant, she carried the baby like an enormous basketball right in front of her.
“Well, I dinna feel so great. This wee lassie of mine is poking her arms and legs about searching for more room than I have to give.” Sallie sighed and laid her head against the high-backed chair in which she sat. “Distract me with some lively conversation, Ellie. Help me take my mind off this great swollen lump of a body.”
“Why are you so certain this one’s a girl?” Every time Ellie had heard Sallie speak of the baby it was in terms of she.
“It’s the way of many Faerie descendants. Three boys and a girl. At least, in our line it seems to be the case. And I already have my three boys.” She closed her eyes and propped her hands on her distended stomach. “Dinna talk of the babe. We need a discussion to take my mind away from this entirely.”
What on earth did she have to discuss with Sallie? She barely knew the woman. The only thing that came to mind, embarrassingly enough, was Caden.
“Tell me about your brother. Why is he always so bossy and irritable.”
“Bossy and irritable? That canna be a description for Drew so it must be Caden yer asking after.” Though Sallie’s eyes were closed, a soft smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Surprised I am that none of the help has taken it upon themselves to tell you already.”
Guiltily, Ellie thought of Bridey and her confidences about Caden’s past. There must be something more. She dropped the needlework to her lap and leaned forward. It wasn’t as if she were making much headway on the piece Rosalyn had given her earlier this morning anyway.
“As the oldest, Caden has always been bossy. But right now he’s feeling the pressure of managing Dun Ard in our cousin’s absence.” Again without opening her eyes, Sallie shook her head. “No, that’s not true. Caden has spent his whole life preparing to manage Dun Ard. He loves it. No, it’s the circumstances of it now that are bearing down on him.”
“What circumstances?” Considering she had no idea how long she would be stuck here, Ellie really wanted to try to understand what was happening around her.
Sallie’s eyes opened, bright and piercing in their gaze. “You ken that Scotland fights for her freedom, do you no?”
Only when Ellie nodded her response did the other woman relax again.
“We’re fair insulated here at Dun Ard as well as at the MacPherson keep, but the troubles managed to touch us all the same. My youngest brother, Colin, fights in the name of Scotland. He and Alasdair Maxwell were taken in battle and are now held for ransom. Our cousin Blane, the MacKiernan, has gone after him. But the time since he left grows long and we’ve no word of any of them. Caden fears for their safety, though he willna say so. He disna have to. We all hold that same fear. It’s one of the reasons Ran brought me home to Dun Ard to wait for the birth of this babe. I needed to be here, with my family.”
“How awful. You must be so worried. I had no idea men captured in battle were held for ransom.” Everything she’d ever read about this century had led her to believe they were simply killed. Probably best not to add that little tidbit, considering everything.
“We’ve King Edward to thank for the ransom demand. He’s encouraged the requiring of ransom for the release of what he calls the traitors.” Sallie shook her head again and sighed. “And now Caden has this nasty sheep business to deal with on top of everything else.”
Ellie’s ears perked up. “Sheep business?”
“Aye. Apparently there’s an animal showing signs of sickness. Now Caden’s worried he’ll lose them all. He and Steafan rode up to check the flocks this morning early. Oh!” Sallie sat up, her hands splayed on either side of her stomach, her eyes open wide. “I hate it most of all when it tightens like this. I’ve no a choice but to hunt the nearest garderobe.”
The clear-cut picture she’d formed of Caden as a demanding, unhappy, controlling, medieval chauvinist was starting to fog over. Oh, he certainly was all those things, but perhaps there were underlying motivators for his behavior.
And for reasons that were not at all clear to her—she absolutely refused to even consider it might have anything to do with that little scene in the bathhouse last night—she suddenly found she wanted to do something to alleviate some of the pressures he faced.
Granted, there wasn’t much she could do around here to help her hosts, certainly nothing to lessen Caden’s worries over his brother and his cousin.
But sheep? Ellie knew sheep. She’d raised them herself and worked with the local vet back home, tending sheep as well as other farm animals. She’d taken classes preparing herself for veterinary school. All that plus her ability to understand animals? This was one task that was right up her alley.
Twelve
“Have you gone completely daft, woman?” Caden stared down into the confused eyes of their beautiful guest.
“I…I don’t understand. I thought you’d be pleased,” Ellie stammered, disappointment evident in her voice.
Pleased? He’d have to be the one gone daft for that. His ability to control events around him was slipping away faster than spring thaw down the mountainside and she expected pleased?
When he and Steafan had ridden through the gates into the bailey, she’d been waiting, sitting on the bottom stair with that ratty little dog curled up at her feet. For some reason beyond his understanding, his heart had begun to beat faster the moment he’d spotted her.
He’d barely had time to dismount before she’d run up to him, placing her soft little hand on his arm. His fool imagination had only begun to skip into a fantasy about her having missed him when she’d gone to yammering about the ridiculous notion he should take her up to the sheep pastures.
A Highlander of Her Own Page 9
