“My thanks.” Colyne accepted the fare, and the lad quickly stepped back.
A shuffling echoed from the hallway. Two burly men carrying a tub came into view. “Ye wanted a bath?” the closest man asked.
“Indeed.” Colyne stepped aside.
With several grunts, the two men lugged the wooden tub into the far corner of the chamber, then left.
Pàdraig returned, hefting a steaming bucket of water. It took the lad several trips, but he finally filled the tub. Sweat streaked the boy’s face. “If you need anything else, I will be in the outer room.” He laid out several clean towels along with a bar of soap near the tub, and then started toward the door.
“Lad,” Colyne said.
Pàdraig turned, his feet planted as if he might bolt.
Colyne handed him a coin. “My thanks.”
Surprise widened the boy’s eyes as he stared at the half pence. “Thanks, me lord.”
“I am a servant as you,” he said, immediately correcting the lad. “We must watch out for our own.”
A timid smile touched the lad’s face, and then he nodded toward Alesia. “And if your wife is needing anything more, I will be seeing she has it.”
After the lad departed, Colyne closed and barred the door. He would have to be more careful. A servant would have little extra coin to share. A slip such as the one he’d just made to the wrong person could cost them their lives.
The scent of the warm bread and wine filled the air as he set the food, the goblets, and the bottle of wine near the candles on the crude table. Colyne turned.
Paused.
Embraced within the fragile light, Alesia stole his breath. The enormity of how truly secluded they were hit him with a stunning force. Though secrets existed between them, at this moment the men who chased them were far away. Hidden in this inn under the guise of an Englishman and his wife, at least for the upcoming night they should be safe.
And alone.
She pushed her hood back and watched him through half-closed eyes, but he didna miss the interest warming her gaze, a sensual look that invited erotic thoughts.
Traitorously, his glance strayed toward the sturdy bed. His blood flowed hot. Too easily, he imagined Alesia naked upon it. His fingers trembled as he poured a goblet of wine and handed it to her. “We need to eat, bathe, and then rest as much as possible this night.” A safe plan.
A becoming blush stole up her cheeks.
“What is wrong?” he asked, aware as he spoke of the foolishness of his question. The reasons for her concern could be numerous.
She shook her head. “ ’Tis unwise to admit.”
“You can tell me.”
“ ’Twas that you looked upon me with such pride.”
Once again he was surprised by her complexity—a blend of innocence and sage worldliness. He stepped toward her, intrigued. “Has nay one ever told you how beautiful you are, discovered your inner strength that leaves me in awe?” Her chin tilted in a regal slant, reminding him of the first time he’d seen her.
“There are many motivations for a man’s flattery,” she replied, her voice growing cool. She stepped back. “Words are as easily given as forgotten.”
Sadness slid through him. “Who hurt you, Alesia?”
Her expression grew guarded. “No one. I refuse to let them.”
Apparently, someone had, deeply. “What happened to make you distrust people so?”
“You would not understand.”
“Because you would nae allow me to?” he gently prodded.
