He was honored and humbled that she did. After barring the door, he poured cool water from the pitcher into the basin.
"Anna told me… a woman would bleed the first time," she whispered.
He took her hand and drew her closer to the basin. "'Tis true, and I'm sorry I caused you injury."
"Nay, don't be. 'Tis what I wanted—to be a full-grown woman. Never regret it. I realize now that I could've simply told the maid 'twas my monthly courses. But I panicked and was not thinking clearly."
He smiled, loving Kristina's forthrightness. He doubted any other woman would've spoken about such feminine issues to him. "I'm glad you sent her away, because I wanted to help you. Now, I must remove your clothes."
She nodded.
Trying his best to tamp down his arousal, he slowly and gently removed each article of clothing from her body.
Once she was nude and standing before him boldly, without trying to hide, he took in the stunning beauty of her slim curves. "You are exquisitely lovely,mo ghraidh."
She shook her head and covered her red cheeks. "You have need of spectacles, I'm thinking."
"Ha." He had a difficult time taking his eyes off her in order to squeeze out the cloth. Once he did, he knelt before her. Despite his best efforts, need tightened his body yet again. "Spread your legs a wee bit so I can wash between."
"I can bathe myself." She held out her hand.
"I want to." He also wanted to make sure she had not bled excessively and that it had stopped. "If you will allow me." He placed her hand upon the tall bedpost for balance.
"Aye." She moved her bare feet farther apart.
When he stroked the cool cloth up her inner thigh, she sucked in a surprised gasp. "'Tis cold."
"That should be soothing." He rinsed the cloth in the cold water and applied it again.
"It does feel good," she confessed.
"Is the pain gone?"
"Aye," she breathed and closed her eyes, her lips parting.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered. Against his will, powerful arousal surged through him. Her innate sensuality and her trust in him were like an aphrodisiac.
He dropped the cloth into the basin, then pressed a kiss to her hip bone and one to her lower abdomen. Damnation, how he wanted her in every way.
Drawing in a deep and surprised breath, she tangled her fingers in his hair. "You're a remarkable man, Colin."
"And you're an astonishing woman." It took all his willpower to draw away from her.
After turning down the covers, he lifted her and placed her into bed. He then covered her up and gave her a quick kiss. A longer one would destroy his resolve to leave her be for now.
Some of his logic returning, he realized he should not leave her naked. "Where is your clean smock?"
"I have no need of it. Come, remove your clothes."
"What?" He gritted his teeth against the powerful surge of arousal.
"Shh. Someone might hear you," she whispered. "I would like it if you would join me."
"Saints," he hissed. "You do tempt me. But much as I would love to take you again, I cannot this soon. You're too sore, and you must recover."
"I feel fine."
"Nay. I refuse to." Glancing around, he saw a folded white linen smock lying on a nearby trunk. After retrieving it, he said, "Here, sit on the edge of the bed." He drew her into a sitting position.
