Page 21 of Love Me Forever

Why, then, had she thought of intimacy when his hand touched her of late?

The door opened, Royce entered, and immediately went about preparing the tub for a bath.

“It will take a while to heat enough water for the tub,” he said, moving the table to the side and placing the tub in front of the hearth.

Brianna was surprised at the size of the half-barrel. It would hold her comfortably, and it would hold Royce if he bent his knees. The thought startled her, for she was not certain if she thought of them taking separate baths or bathing together.

Her remark surprised her even more. “Do you not wish a bath?”

“When you are done.”

“The water will be cold.” Whatever was she saying? It sounded like an invitation to her. Did it to him?

His brief pause warned that he might have thought the same. “I have taken cold baths before.”

“When necessary I assume.” She continued sounding as though she wished him to join her. Whatever was the matter with her?

He turned after setting a large pot he had filled with snow to heat. “Aye, when necessary.”

She bit her tongue so she would say no more. The accident must have given her a good knock on the head and a degree of courage, for she would have never suggested such an idea to her husband, let alone a man she knew but a week’s time.

She decided it was best to talk of a safer subject. That subject, she decided, was him. “Is this your home?”

He was waiting for specific questions to start. With her returning strength came courage, not to mention curiosity.

He would tell her only so much. “Not my permanent home.”

“Where is your permanent home?”

“A bit north.”

He evaded direct answers, but bits and pieces of a person once put together could tell much.

“The battle you recently fought was near your home?”

“Nay,” he answered and then poured the heated water into the tub, filling the large pot once again and setting it to heat. He gave her no chance to continue her questioning. “One more pot after this and there will be enough water for me to put you in the tub. I will continue to add hot water so that your bathwater does not chill.”

“You are most considerate.”

He made no comment. How could he when his mind was being anything but considerate? She had placed a suggestion in his mind that had taken root and insisted on growing. The idea of joining her in the tub was too tempting to ignore, yet ignore it he must.

A cold bath was definitely necessary.

Brianna remained quiet, her own thoughts worrisome.

It had not been difficult having him tend her when she was completely incapacitated, for she could barely think clearly. And she could not move without pain. Now, though it was different, while the pain persisted, it was a level of pain she could handle, and her mind was clear now and her eyes open. They would not drift shut while she bathed as they often did when he looked after her.

Now she would see clearly his reaction to her nakedness, and the thought troubled her.

He arranged a large towel on the floor and placed another on a small bench he had brought to rest beside the tub. “It will be ready soon.”

Soon.

Soon he would remove the blankets and take her into his arms. Soon. She trembled, her legs felt weak, and her heart thudded in her chest. She was being foolish, so very foolish. He would place her in the tub and it would be done. The water would cover her, and he would look away from her.

Was that what she wanted?

She silently scolded herself. Whatever was wrong with her? Why was she having intimate thoughts of this man?