Page 31 of The Laird's Masked Passion

“Turn around,” she demanded.

“Fer what purpose?”

“So I may climb from this tub and preserve what remains of me dignity.”

“After the slippers and the soap, dignity may require stronger assistance.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I can still scream.”

“Aye. And every servant in the corridor will come running tae find their new lady in her bath and their laird defending himself from household items.”

Elspeth opened her mouth, then closed it. The man was intolerable because he was correct. Colin pushed away from the door at last. For one wild second, she thought he meant to approach the tub, and her breath caught before she could stop it. His eyes flicked to her mouth, then away. He turned his back.

“There,” he said.

Elspeth stared at the broad dark line of him.

“Ye are still in the room.”

“And ye are still in the tub.”

“I cannae get out while ye are here.”

“I am nae looking.”

“That isnae the only requirement of modesty.”

“Ye have three minutes.”

“Three—”

“There is an official dinner tonight,” he announced. “The clan will expect tae see ye.”

The words cut through her outrage.

Elspeth went still. “The clan?”

“Aye. I will introduce ye as me wife.”

The water, once comforting, suddenly felt too shallow.

“Yer wife,” she repeated.

His back remained to her. “As befits the lady of Wester Ross.”

There it was again, that title she had not chosen, placed upon her like another gown made by other hands. She was Lady of Wester Ross, wife, bride,payment. She had been all these things before she had been permitted to decide whether she wished even to sit down.

“I am nae ready.”

“Nay one will expect ye tae be.”

“Yet they will stare.”

“Aye.”

“They will judge.”

“Aye.”