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Horribly embarrassed, Esme growled in frustration as she yanked the damp linen off her head. Hair askew, she looked up at him and Isadora to see that they were both smiling down at her. Titus started to laugh.

“Ye look as if ye fought the linen and the linen won,” he said.

Esme made a face, but Titus’ laughter made her feel not so quite embarrassed. “I was going to surprise you with clean bed linens and clean clothing,” she said, looking at the dirty linen with disappointment. “It looks as if I must wash this again.”

Titus reached down and pulled her to her feet. “What compelled ye tae do such a thing?” he said. “I dinna tell ye tae.”

Before Esme could reply, Isadora spoke. “Titus, they needed a wash,” she said frankly. “They were dirty and smelly.”

He lifted his chin. “They smelled like me.”

“As I said – smelly.”

Titus curled his lip at her. “I’ll tell yer husband ye insulted me. He’ll take a hand tae ye, ye insolent woman.”

Isadora burst out laughing. “Ye think so, do ye? He’ll tell ye that ye stink, too,” she said, turning away. “Ye think ye’re the only man in Scotland without a stench.”

“I am.”

Isadora continued to laugh and walk away as Esme stood there, trying very hard not to smile. When Titus looked at her, incensed, she bit her lip.

“And ye?” he said. “I suppose ye think I stink, too. Ye’ve been listening tae that bold wench, Isadora.”

Esme shook her head quickly. “I do not think that,” she said. “I washed the linens because it seemed like a good way to thank you for taking me in last night and giving me a place to sleep. I washed your tunics and breeches, too.”

Titus looked at the tree, strewn with his drying clothing. The offended expression on his face faded as he looked at everything she’d done for him. Realizing that she’d gone through a great deal of trouble, his focus returned to her face.

“Ye dinna have tae do all of this,” he said, quieter now. “I dunna recall giving ye permission.”

Esme’s brow furrowed. “I told you last night that I would tend your cottage,” she said. “I do not expect to have shelter given to me without working for it.”

“I never told ye I expected this.”

She was growing increasingly confused. “You did not, but I hope you do not think I would accept your help and not do something for you in return.”

He looked around again, at all of her efforts, and finally motioned to her.

“Come with me,” he said.

Esme followed him back into his cottage. Entering the larger chamber, he nearly tripped over a big copper tub, dented and used, as well as a broom, a bucket, and other items meant for cleaning. Esme came in behind him, and as soon as she shut the door, he turned to her.

“I’m going tae give ye the money for passage tae Navarre,” he said quietly. “If ye want tae go home, I’ll send ye home. I know ye’re worried that ye canna pay me in return, but I dunna want ye tae worry so. The money will be my gift tae ye.”

Esme looked at him, wide-eyed. “I cannot take money I have not earned. I told you that last night.”

“It is a gift. Ye canna refuse a gift.”

“I can and I will.”

“Take it and go.”

The way he said it made it sound like he wanted her out, so she didn’t argue. In fact, she felt ashamed and wounded. There was a chair behind her and she sank into it, slowly.

“Did I do wrong by washing your clothing?” she asked. “My lord, I could not accept your shelter and your help without paying you in return or at least working for my keep, and I will not take your money without earning it. I am sorry if you cannot accept that, but that is the way of things. I will not take anything that does not belong to me.”

Titus looked at her – hard. He wasn’t quite sure why she made him nervous, or why he was offering to pay for her way to Navarre, when the truth was that he very much liked her presence here. The woman was trying to be honorable by working for her keep and, God knew, he respected that. He admired a woman of honor.

… so what was the problem?