Page 33 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

“And be uncomfortable? Nay.” He kicked off his boots and grabbed a fresh pair of trews to sleep in. Taking pity on how flushed her face was, he crossed behind the changing screen and swapped his trews, returning in time to see she had sat forward off the pillows, her face even redder than before. “What is it, Eloise?” He couldn’t help smiling, noticing what had made her so distracted.

She now had a full view of his chest, and it seemed to have rendered her unable to talk.

“I have never kenned ye speechless.” He laughed warmly as he walked toward the bed. “Are ye this innocent ye have never seen a man without a shirt before? I thought ye said ye had some nasty clients in yer time.”

“I didnae let them get anywhere,” she said with vigor, moving to her knees as she shifted on the bed. “It’s just…” She trailed off, waving a hand at him as her eyes darted over him. He waited for her to continue, cocking his head to the side. “I…” She tried again but failed once more. “Oh, ye are infuriating.” She turned suddenly on the bed, putting down her cup on a small table and standing.

“What? I didnae say anything on this occasion. I am simply standing before ye without a shirt. If ye are tae be me wife, then it is something ye should get used tae. I sleep without a shirt.” He nodded down at the bed as she turned to look back at him. “Ye should also get used tae sharing me bed. I willnae have ye getting a bad back sleeping in that chair again.”

“I willnae be sharing yer bed!” She waved her hand madly toward the covers.

“Tae sleep, Eloise. Nothing more.” Though his mind was wild now. Fearing his thoughts would make his body react, he reached for the furs and pulled them back, allowing him to slip under the covers. “Ye will have tae grow accustomed tae it.”

“Ye are so tall and broad, ye take up most of the bed anyway.” She narrowed her eyes once more.

“Ye are so small, we should be fine,” he retorted, smiling in victory.

She huffed loudly and walked away to the garderobe, to wash her own face and prepare for bed. When she took many minutes, being rather heavy handed with her ablutions, Murdoch had to bite the inside of his mouth not to laugh.

There was something entertaining about Eloise’s extent of innocence. She had done well to avoid men pushing her, bearing in mind what her job had been. She had clearly done very well indeed to blush so much when he took his shirt off. It made him wonder what it would be like to introduce her to other things. How much would she blush if he lifted that skirt of hers and showed her what a man could truly do?

When she returned, she still wore her gown. Rather than heading straight to the bed, she paced a little more.

“Take the chair and I will simply pick ye up and return ye tae the bed,” he said with full warning, staring at her without blinking.

“Ye wouldnae dare.” She lifted her head high.

“Nay?” He smiled a little. “I would, dinnae doubt me. We’ve already proven tonight I can lift ye easily.” She turned away as he considered the feeling of her in his arms. She was light to carry, very easy indeed, and she slotted perfectly against his chest.

Eloise crossed toward the screen with a night rail. She spent many minutes untying the dress, clearly struggling with the number of laces.

“Do ye wish me tae call a maid?”

“Nay,” she whispered.

“Then… would ye like my help?”

“Nay!”

He couldn’t hold back his soft chuckle this time.

“Some husband and wife we’ll be.”

When she still didn’t return and huffed once more, struggling, he abandoned sitting in the bed and climbed out, moving toward the screen. He halted on the other side, resting a hand on the very top.

“Ye want that help yet?” he asked, waiting for her answer. There was a beat of silence before she sighed.

“Aye. Please.”

Slowly, Murdoch stepped around the screen, wary of what he’d find. In this part of the room, the light of the fire did not reach the pair of them so easily. She was cast in shadows, though he could still make her out.

She’d shed the gown, but it was clearly the corset she was struggling with. She had her back to him, her hands on her narrow waist, with her hair tumbling around her shoulders. She had managed to knot the laces at her back.

“Do me a favor? Untie them and dinnae say anything.”

He was happy to oblige, fearing just how dry his mouth had been made by the sight of her in this way. He reached for the knots and loosened them, before pulling her free of the corset. He was only afforded a view of her back and the white chemise that clung to her form and her rear. When his length twitched at the sight of her, he retreated fast, crossing the room back to the bed.

Ye’ll drive me mad, Eloise.