What on earth was the woman thinking? That she and Rebbie…. Her heart leapt into her throat. Nay. It could never be. She forced her gaze away from the housekeeper's hopeful one.
"Well, I will send one of the young maids to help you undress." She bustled out the door.
An hour later, after a nice soak in the hot water, Calla had dried off and put on a clean shift and dressing gown the maid had brought, and her hair was almost dry.'Twasgrowing late, but she was not sleepy. Too many thoughts whirled around in her head… thoughts of a certain wicked laird with dark eyes and sinful kisses.
A soft knock sounded at the door. Could it be him, or the maid? Her pulse thumping in her throat, she rose from her seat beside the fire and opened the door.
Indeed, 'twas the roguish man himself, waiting in the corridor.Rebbie'sgaze traveled down the length of her and leisurely back up as if she wore naught. She held her breath. When his eyes met hers again, a dark fire burned there.
An answering excitement lit within her, sending heat searing over her.
"Am I disturbing you?" he murmured.
Aye, he was incredibly disturbing to her, but she shook her head. "Nay." Should she invite him in?'Twashis castle after all, but she would be daft to allow him entrance to this bedchamber.
Chapter Nine
Calla couldn't believe Rebbie had come to her bedchamber. What was going through that mischievous mind of his? His obsidian eyes were near impossible to read, though she clearly saw desire there.
"Does the chamber suit you?" he asked.
"Oh, aye.'Tisa lovely chamber. Warm and cozy with a view of the gardens out back." Nothing like the huge, cold chambers at the Stanbury Estate.
He glanced over her shoulder, his gaze darting about the room. "It is, indeed."
"You've never set foot in this chamber before, have you?"
He shrugged. "Nay."
Did he realize how fortunate he was to own castles with rooms he'd never even seen? She shook her head.
"Would you like to give me a tour? I have wine." He brought the bottle and two goblets from behind his back. "I thought it might help you relax. You seemed tense during supper."
He'd brought wine to her bedchamber?Heavens!Renewed heat flushed over her.
"I ken what you're thinking," he said, lifting a brow and giving her a roguish look. "And, nay, I didn't come to seduce you."
Good Lord, how could he say such a thing? She wanted to fan her burning face, but somehow refrained. She stepped back, allowing him entrance.
"Although I would like to," he continued. "But I've decided to be a gentleman."
He would like to seduce her? What on earth could she say to that? She never knew when he was serious and when he was teasing, anyway. But, based on the lustful onceover he'd given her a few moments ago, there might be some truth to it. Because she had not experienced any passion or seduction since that night she'd shared with him years ago, she was feeling excessively deprived and awkward, more like a virgin than a widow.
"At supper, you hardly said a word." He closed the door. "I could tell you were uncomfortable."
"Well, I was unsure what to say with MacFadden there."
"Mad Fadden is a better name for him," Rebbie said in a dry tone.
Holding back a snicker, Calla grinned.
"I've assignedMacDadeto watch him. And I had to move him out of the laird's chamber. I cannot believe the audacity of the man, setting himself up as laird here." He placed the two goblets on a table just inside the door and removed the bottle's cork.
"Do you think he will give you trouble?"
"I know not. I plan to find out more about him." Rebbie poured the red wine and handed her a goblet.
"I thank you."
