She wasn’t only stunned; he saw disappointment on her face.
“Time to go,” he said.
Surprisingly, she followed him without protest. She didn’t utter a word, not when he stepped out of the water before she did or kept his back to her while he dressed, affording her the privacy to do the same.
Silence went home along with them, even into the cottage. He didn’t join her in bed until after she had changed into a linen shift and climbed under the light blanket. With only his plaid on, he climbed in beside her and fitted himself against her back, wrapping his arm around her, his hand resting firmly beneath her breast.
“Rest well, I will be right here,” he whispered, and kissed her cheek.
Chapter 15
Zia lay awake long after Artair fell asleep. She couldn’t get the strange evening out of her mind. Artair had startled her in more ways than one. First, when he swept her off her feet. She was too shocked to protest, but liked that he’d done it. And then she was shocked again when he fixed her favorite brew.
She had assumed that after depositing her on the bed, he intended to kiss her. While she would have invited it, she thought it endearing that he made her favorite brew, and even knew what it was. And made it so perfectly. She wondered if he had practiced.
And then their tryst in the river. She had realized she was tempting fate, actually tempting him beyond reason. She chuckled. She hadn’t really expected him to join her, especially after he suggested that she wait until morning. And once he did join her, she wanted much more than it seemed he was willing to give.
She smiled, recalling his words.
Another time, another place, and I’ll make you mine.
Just the thought enthralled her, tingles prickling her skin.
And then, when their brief tryst was over, he’d been such a gentleman. He didn’t gawk at her, but instead he respected her privacy.
And finally, she recalled how he wrapped himself so lovingly around her when they were in bed, and assured her that he’d remain beside her.
His body continued to warm her and his muscled arms kept her in a protective embrace. Even his steady breathing soothed her while faintly tickling the back of her neck.
It hadn’t been two full weeks since she met this man, yet she thought of him as a friend she’d known since she was young. Someone with whom she could safely share secrets, tell her troubles to, laugh with and when necessary cry with.
She wondered how they had bonded so quickly, but then silently laughed the thought away. Her grandmother had told her that Artair was good for her. Why question it? Why not simply wait and see where it led? He would reason over it enough for the both of them; for her part, she would let fate take its course.
It had been an interesting evening, and she could only imagine, with a flutter of anticipation, what the immediate future would bring.
With exhaustion overwhelming her bevy of thoughts, Zia fell asleep with a smile.
Their departure was delayed because of a young child whose fever remained constant. Until the fever broke and the child’s appetite returned, Zia refused to leave, and Artair remained concerned.
The villagers thought highly of Zia and treated her with respect, and Artair suspected that much of it was because they believed she was his wife. His men had confirmed his suspicions when they shared what village gossip they heard.
James, with Patrick corroborating, told him how the women believed that Zia and he were a good match, and how lucky she was to have a husband who not only allowed her to heal, but was patient while she did. Yes, the women had claimed them an extraordinary pair.
The news concerned him more than pleased him since gossip was more contagious than the pox and could spread with the same speed. He reiterated his order for James and Patrick to remain alert to anyone entering the village.
He worried about keeping Zia safe, especially after last night. She had taken off for the river without even thinking, as if there were nothing for her to worry about. She never gave thought to possible danger. She simply did as she pleased, without considering the possible consequences of her rash actions.
Not that he hadn’t enjoyed their night swim, though in truth they hadn’t swam much. He grinned at the memory. If he hadn’t controlled the situation, Zia would have sealed her fate in becoming his wife. As much as that would have made it easier for him, he’d realized he wanted more from her, a realization that surprised him.
It was still another reason for getting Zia out of there. He wanted to be with her in normal surroundings so they could determine what it was they wanted and expected from each other.
“Artair!”
He looked up from where he sat on the bench of the cottage he shared with Zia. She had left while he still slept, and with James’s hurried steps, he suddenly wished he knew where she was.