Page 85 of Bride of Ice
But first, he had to persuade Hallie it would be good for Rivenloch.
At the moment, she looked highly persuadable. There was a soft glow in her eyes and a yielding pressure in her hand.
But she had a streak of loyalty and willfulness in her that would always make her place the clan’s needs above her own. Her warmth would vanish in an instant if she perceived Colban as a threat to Rivenloch, if she saw him, not as a gallant diplomat, but as a coarse Highland barbarian.
Convincing her of his worth and his wisdom required him to be at his best. Responsible. Capable. Devoted. And smelling a good deal better than he did at the moment. Which was why he’d requested a bath as part of their negotiations.
Nonetheless, it was with reluctance that he extricated his hand from hers and stepped back to allow her to leave.
Just before he lowered his gaze, he thought he glimpsed a hint of regret in her eyes. And though she addressed him with dignity, there was a flustered note in her voice. “About your bath… I’ll have… I’ll have…”
“Bart?”
“Aye, Bart. I’ll send him up after supper.”
“My thanks.” As she gave him a curt nod and swept toward the door, he added, “Ye won’t be sorry.”
As she hurried out the door, he grimaced.
Ye won’t be sorry?
Those weren’t exactly the words of a gallant diplomat.
He sighed. Battle strategy he knew. But he was unpracticed at peace negotiations. They were going to be a challenge. He would have to take his time. Temper his thoughts. Tame his tongue. All while in the presence of a formidable Valkyrie.
“Oh, nay, you won’t,” Hallie commanded.
Isabel scurried around their bedchamber with a wicker basket full of linen cloths and sponges. She pilfered several tallow candles and vials of herbs and oils from the table, tucking them into the basket.
“But someone has to scrub his back,” Isabel replied with a shrug.
“Scrub his…” Hallie grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Not you, Isabel. We have maidservants for that.”
Isabel glared pointedly at her arm, still in Hallie’s grip, until Hallie was shamed into releasing her.
“Burunild is assisting the midwife,” Isabel informed her. “Abygail has gone to visit her sister. Hilda is caring for her new babe. Gillian is ill with a fever. And the rest have gone to bed.”
“Gone to bed?”
Isabel shrugged. “You kept them quite busy today.”
That was true. Hallie believed that idle hands caused misbehavior, especially when it came to Isabel’s companions. She sighed, then grumbled, “Bloody hell, he’s a grown man. I’m sure he can scrub his own back.”
Isabel’s jaw dropped. “’Tis a matter of common courtesy, Hallie. You know that. Rivenloch has a reputation to uphold. If word got out that we’d left a guest unattended at his bath…” She shuddered.
“Rivenloch’s reputation isn’t built on our bathing services.”
“But such rudeness is a… What’s the word you taught me? A travesty.” Isabel shrugged. “Besides, I don’t mind doing the task.”
“That’s my point, Isabel.”
“What?”
“I’m sure you don’t mind at all,” Hallie said, inexplicably irritated. “Your friends are doubtless awaiting your salacious gossip.”
“Salacious?” She blinked. “What does that mean?”
Hallie cooed in imitation of Isabel’s friends, “Oh, Isabel, tell us all about the Highlander. How tall is he? Are those muscles real? Just how broadishis back?” There was more, but she wouldn’t go down that path with her little sister.
