"Aye. The love between a man and a woman is salvation itself."
"Perhaps. However, they will be needing an extra dose now."
"You don't think Daniel loves her?"
"I believe he will do his best to comfort her," she replied.
"And who will comfort Daniel?"
"Chloe, of course. Who else?"
"Who else, indeed?" Marcus repeated softly, and this time she couldn't stop the flutter of her heart.
When they entered the castle's kitchen, Marcus ordered Mary to prepare a hot bath for Elise. She protested, but he shook his head.
"I planned on going straight to bed," she complained, as he escorted her through the kitchen.
"Trust me." He forced her to keep pace with him as they crossed the great hall. "You will thank me in the morning." They neared the stairs and he prodded her up.
She remained silent until they reached her door. "Really—" she began.
"Go," he interrupted. "I'll return in a moment."
Elise sighed but acquiesced.
Marcus strode down the hallway to his room. He pushed past his bedchamber door and crossed to the sideboard in the far corner. He poured a brandy and drank it in one swallow. He grimaced, then poured another and went back to Elise's room. Pausing at her door, he knocked once then entered. She looked up sharply, one hand on the remaining boot she was in the process of removing.
"You might have waited until I gave you permission to enter," she said, giving him a reproachful look.
"Drink this." He handed her the brandy.
Elise set the boot on the floor, then took the glass. She sniffed and peered at him over the rim of the snifter. "Napoleon brandy." She drank it in nearly as quick a flourish as he had.
Marcus raised his brows. "Careful, lass. One should acquire a tolerance for spirits before gulping them."
"I wish you'd brought two. Mmm." She stood. "Makes me feel warm all over."
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," he called.
Elise frowned. "This is my bedchamber," she said, as the door opened and two men entered carrying the bathtub. "If you don't mind, I will be the one to allow visitors entrance." Her gaze shifted to the tub. She thrust the glass forward, bumping Marcus's chest. He grasped the snifter as she released it and stepped past him. "Over there," she instructed, "by the fire."
Two more men followed with pails of steaming water. "Mary said the rest of the water will take a little time to heat," one man said, as he dumped his pail into the tub.
Elise walked to the tub and peered into it. "Two pails of cool water will do."
The men nodded and were gone. She faced Marcus. He gave her a questioning look, knitting his brows as though not comprehending.
"Marcus."
"Ah, yes." He set the glass on the nightstand, then came to stand beside her. He grasped her shoulders and spun her facing away from him.
"Wha—?"
He began unbuttoning the buttons down the back of her dress.
"Marcus!" She tried to twist free.
"Hold still," he commanded, holding fast to the dress, "or you'll rip the fabric."
Elise reached back, slapping at him, and hit the hard muscle of his hip. She instantly snatched her hand back. He regretted his lack of foresight in not standing closer. An inch or two more, and she might have managed a nice swat to his groin.
"Release me," she growled.
"Not unless you intend to bathe in your clothes." He tugged on the final button, leaving the dress open to her waist.
She grasped the back of her dress, whirling just in time to hide her back from the man who entered with the two pails of cold water she'd requested. She stepped out of his way as he hurried past her and Marcus to pour the water into the tub. He turned and left. The door clicked closed behind him. Elise faced Marcus. He grinned and leaned against the bedpost.
Her eyes narrowed. "Marcus MacGregor."
"I could wash your back—"
"Out!" She pointed to the door.
He sighed, straightening from the bedpost. He started for the door then halted, and faced her. "Mayhap another brandy? It would take me only—"
"Ohhh!" She lunged forward and shoved at his chest.
He took a faltering step back. "It would relax you, lass. Trust—"
Elise released her hold on the back of her dress and used both hands to push even harder. He stepped back several paces until he came up against the door.
"Surely you don't mean to keep all the warm water to yourself," he said.
She leaned into him. "You want to share the water?"
His body tensed. "I would gladly share your bathwater, love."
Elise shoved away from him. "Fine. I will have it sent to your room when I'm done."
Marcus entered the kitchen an hour later to find Mary sitting by the fire. "How is Elise?"
"I haven't heard a peep. Should I see to her?"