“Does this hurt?” Lightly, he touched her sore cheek with his finger. The scrape was still an angry red, but looked much better after being cleaned.
“Nay.” Della winced as his finger ran over the sorest-looking part.
“I am sorry,” he whispered unhappily. “I did not mean to make you fall. Had I known that you were trying to fend off that obnoxious toad, I would have come to your aide. As it was, I was not sure you would have taken my help.”
Della nodded again, appearing weary of his kindness. Brant realized this was one of the only times he’d touched her in neither anger nor excessive passion. It was hard, but he forced himself to go slow.
“You shiver.” Brant’s words were low. “Are you cold?”
“I had your bath,” Della answered, instantly following the comment with a weak moan. Brant smiled. Flustered, she motioned her hand to the tub. She still hadn’t looked at him directly. “I—I mean I had a bath drawn for you, naturally I did not have your bath. It would be impossible, would it not? Methought you…”
Della snapped her mouth shut with a groan. Brant smiled as she bit her lip. Obviously, she stalled for time. He studied the fine line of her neck, aching to touch her more but knowing he must hold back. It was a bittersweet torment, but one his body took willingly. For he knew if he denied his passions now, he would surely reap the benefit of the waiting later.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“Should I leave?” Della finally moved to face him. “I could send you a maid if you prefer, as I have never attended to…bath…never…ah.”
He smiled as a thought formed in his head. Mayhap his wife’s attempt to stall his advances would work to his advantage. It would give her a chance to get used to his body and it would be sweet torture to be bathed by her.
“I want you to help me, Della,” he said. “No other.”
“Oh.” Della brought the corner of her lip once more between her teeth and swayed back. His hand moved to her throat, delicately rubbing behind her ear as he kept her near him. Her whole body focused on that one soft touch. She leaned into his palm for a brief moment, trying to get used to his gentleness. His tender caress did more to chip away at her icy defenses than his fiery passions ever could.
She met his eyes, no longer able to fight the pull he had on her. The blue orbs looked mythical, glowing with traces of firelight. Brant withdrew his hand, keeping his eyes steadily on her. His hair glimmered, except for the streak of fire that trailed down the one side.
He shrugged off his tunic, revealing his naked chest. Her cheeks flamed in embarrassment and she turned her back to him. Wringing her hands nervously, she plied her mind for anything to break the silence. “Did Lord Lester leave?”
“Yea,” Brant said in a most attractive tone. “I tossed him in the moat.”
“I’m sorry you had to remove your friend.” Della heard the hush of his clothes falling to the stone floor. Curling her toes in the rug, she forced herself to stay where she was. Her apprehension outweighed her curiosity to see what he looked like naked.
“He isn’t my friend. I just met him today.” Brant sounded amused. “Is that who you think I would befriend? An odious man with a bad temperament?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply—” Laughter cut her off. Della started to turn and then caught herself. She tapped her heel in agitation.
“Try to relax, Della. It is just a bath.”
She wondered if he stood naked, waiting for her to look at him. Is that what he wanted? She’d heard his clothing fall, but no other sound. Her eyes searched the stone wall, as if to see a reflection there to assuage her curiosity. There was nothing, not even a shadow.
“Methought mayhap you wanted privacy,” she said when silence became deafening. She hoped to hear where he was. Did he slither into the bath, silent as a dropping feather? Or did he still stand, naked and waiting? “I always do.”
She took a deep breath and forced her hands to her side. Hearing a splash of water, she waited.
Brant cleared his throat to get her attention. Della jolted, startled by the sound. Little by little, she turned, her eyes finding him easily. He was in the tub, his back to her as he leaned his head against the rim. The strong muscles of his neck and shoulders shifted with every subtle movement. Taking his arms from the edge, he settled them into the water where she couldn’t see. His long hair floated about his shoulders as he sank deeper into the steaming liquid. Staring in wonder, she watched his naked knees creep up and out of the water. They were covered with soft, dark hair, and very unlike her smoother legs. His limbs bulged with muscles, just like his chest, making her curious to see the rest of him.