“There, that should chase away the chill,” he said, returning to her side and brushing the fur closer around her.
“Ye’ve a fire in yer heart too, Isabelle. Nae man nor bandit could ever snuff it out.”
Her lips curved in a small smile, eyes misty. “And ye’ve a fire in yer soul, Declan Cain,” she said softly. “I ken that now more than ever.”
A knock came at the door, firm but hurried. Mabel entered, followed by a long row of servants carrying tubs, cloths, and buckets of boiling water.
“Quickly now, every one of ye,” Mabel commanded. “Set the tub in front of the fire. We’ve little time, and Lady Isabelle needs care.”
The servants hurried, placing the tub in the center of the room and carefully filling it with steaming water.
Sarah, the maid, set a tray of tea on the bed and gave Isabelle a gentle smile. “I am glad to see ye are unharmed, me Lady ,” she said softly, bowing her head.
Isabelle reached out and took the cup, giving Sarah a thankful look. “I am grateful, Sarah. And Mabel, thank ye both for seeing to me.”
Mabel adjusted the cloth pile beside the tub, her expression softening as she glanced at Isabelle.
“Ye’ve had a fright, lass, but ye’re safe now,” she said, her tone motherly and firm.
Isabelle nodded, taking a deep breath, letting the heat from the tea and the fire seep into her bones.
“Aye,” she whispered, “I am safe… because Declan brought me home.”
Declan lowered himself beside her, resting a hand lightly on hers.
“Nae more lonely walks to icy shores, Isabelle,” he said, voice gentle but edged with warning.
She smiled faintly, squeezing his hand in return.
“Nay more walks alone,” she agreed, her heart finally settling, warmed not just by the fire but by the man at her side.
“I believe I can take it from here,” he said to those gathered in the room.
The servants piled out of the room, and Mabel gave Isabelle one last reassuring look.
Isabelle’s breath caught as Declan closed the door behind the servants, leaving the room bathed in firelight.
He stepped close, eyes dark with intensity, and said, “I’ll take it from here. Rest easy, lass; ye’ve had enough fright for one day.”
Her pulse quickened, the warmth from the fire and the heat in his gaze making her chest flutter. She nodded, unable to speak, feeling the weight of his presence pressing gently against her.
He guided her out of her snow-damp clothing, his hands firm yet careful as he stripped away the layers, revealing her shivering form beneath.
“Easy now,” he murmured, his voice low and hoarse. “We’ll get ye warm.”
Isabelle’s skin tingled under his touch, every brush of his fingers igniting sparks she could scarcely contain. She closed her eyes as he lifted her into the hot bath, the warmth enveloping her, sending shivers of a different sort down her spine.
Declan dipped a cloth into the steaming water, his hands moving over her shoulders, down her arms, and across her back with deliberate, tender care.
Isabelle’s breath hitched, the closeness of his body and the intimacy of his touch making her heart hammer in her chest.
“Ye’re freezing, Isabelle,” he murmured, leaning in so close she could feel the heat radiating from him.
She swallowed hard, unable to find words, caught between the desire to speak and the need to simply feel him near.
Her fingers brushed against his as he carefully washed her, the smallest touches sending waves of warmth through her.
“Ye’ll be safe now,” he said, voice low and steady though it wavered with the depth of feeling she could sense.
