Page 23 of Harrowing Hall
“Oh, Blake.” She stood and allowed him to slide the gown over her head. “This is lovely.” She closed her eyes at the feel of the material brushing against her skin. “And feels so luxurious.”
“Aye.” He stepped behind her and inhaled the scent of her skin as he helped her into the wrapper. “And it should keep the chill of the castle at bay.”
“I cannot imagine being all that cold with you around.” She turned and looked at him with a tad more boldness now that she understood how good they could make one another feel. “Rather, I suspect it will be the opposite, yes?”
“Aye.” He led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her. “If it is the last thing I do, we will warm each other always.”
She smiled as he poured her champagne, yet he saw the hesitation in her eyes.
“What is it?” He kissed her cheek, filled his flute, then sat across from her. “Why do you seem unsure?”
“To be truthful?” She sighed and shook her head. “Because I feel the need to say something I’m not sure I should be honest about.”
“I wish you would, though.” He frowned and took her hand across the table. “For did we not promise each other such?”
“We did.” Maude fingered her pearls nervously. “You had this beautiful nightgown made to keep me warm, and I appreciate it more than you know, but I wonder….”
“Wonder what?” Forget sitting across from her. He sat at the table with her on his lap and made sure her gaze did not stray from his face. “What troubles you,mo leannan?”
“That I might be chilled, to begin with,” she blurted because she could only hold back for so long. “Perhaps that is why you bought this for me?”
He frowned in confusion. “Thatiswhy I bought it for you.”
“What I mean to say is I will be chilled because I will be alone.”
Still not following, he shook his head. “Why would you be alone?”
“Because it is proper, is it not?” Maude gestured at the door. “Hence me having my own room, which is beautiful and appreciated.” She nodded in understanding. “And makes sense as I have been told time and time again that a husband and wife live separately once married. That—”
“Maude?”
“Yes, Blake?”
“Did you not see me take your clothes out of the trunk at the end of our bed?”
“Ourbed?” she whispered.
“But of course, our bed.” He carried her over to a tall armoire and opened its doors, showing her all her dresses. “And yet another place you will find your clothing.” Then he gestured into a corner she had clearly not seen to a delicate table where her lady’s maid would help ready her daily. “Where you will do as a lady wishes at the start of her day.”
“That sounds lovely,” she said softly. “But what of the room you gave me?”
“It adjoins to this one and is there if you ever wish to use it.” Blake sat down and shook his head. “Though I hope you will call this room yours.” He gestured at the bed. “My bed ours so that you will never be chilled at night.”
“I would like that,” she whispered, tearing up a little. “So I really am here for good in all ways that matter most?”
“I would like to think so.”
“How wonderful because…” Maude trailed off, cocked her head, and listened. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
Sadness flashed in her eyes. “They stopped.”
“What stopped?”
“Harrowing Hall’s bagpipes.”
He glanced at the clock. It was nigh on midnight, so the pipes outside were most certainly still going. Yet, just like that, before he could stop her, Maude was off his lap and out the door.
