He squeezed her a bit tighter. First because she clearly was hurt and that bothered him. He’d injured her with his careless action. But second, the little she’d told him of her story, it was clear they’d suffered.
“He’s a good man,” she said, her voice near a whisper. “You’ll like doing business with him.”
He looked down at her mud-covered face, his chest tightening. What was it about that comment that shifted his feelings about her? Softened his impression. Was it that she held her brother-in-law in such high regard or she’d been considerate enough to aid him in his business decision even after he’d knocked her down? “Thank ye.” Then he cleared his throat. “I ken this is a bit delicate, but I can undo the buttons of yer dress if ye’d like.”
“I beg your pardon?” she gasped, stiffening in his arms.
He liked her better relaxed against him. Which was ridiculous. He was here for a contract, he reminded himself. And currently, he was simply trying to right a wrong by helping her. “I only wanted to help you get into a warm bath faster, lass. Ye must be freezin’,” he said, though a bit of color peeked from out of the mud on her cheeks.
“I’m rather warm actually. You’re a bit like a wood stove.”
He chuckled at that and then she shivered in his arms. One of his brows quirked. Had she grown cold or did she like his laugh? “Well, in that case, we’ll wait fer yer sister and soon as she’s chaperoning, I’ll start on the buttons. That way ye’ll be warm until then.”
She smiled at him then, in what he thought was a lively way, if not for all the mud. “Just rip the dress off, it’s ruined anyway.”
His breath seized in his chest as he pictured ripping this woman’s clothes off. He knew he shouldn’t like the image so much but damn his body responded to the idea. “I…”
“The water’s ready,” Rose called from the door. “Let’s get you all cleaned up.”
Dear merciful saints, he was going to have to tear off her clothes. Was he in heaven or hell?
Chapter Three
Daisy shivered again as the man set her on her feet. For such a large man, his touch was decidedly gentle as he shifted her weight.
“Are ye certain ye want me to tear the fabric?” he asked.
“I’m certain,” she answered, but now that he’d set her down, she wasn’t at all sure. Somehow, him removing her clothing in general, and tearing them specifically, seemed far too intimate. Except for the fact that Rose and three house maids currently filled the tub with steaming hot water.
Which looked delightful. Without his warmth, the cold seeped through her wet clothing.
“All right. I’m going to rip up so that I don’t tug at yer shoulder. Ye’ll feel my hands at yer waist.” And he grabbed the fabric in her lower back.
“I’m sure I can—” Rose started but before she could even finish the decided rip of fabric filled the air.
“No need,” he answered, working her good arm out of the sleeve. “I’ll be quicker, and we don’t want the lady to get too cold. A chill will make everythin’ worse.”
Rose bit her lower lip as her eyes met Daisy’s. The last bucket of water went in and the maids raced back into the kitchen to fetch more. He started working the sleeve down her other arm and Daisy looked away, wincing in pain. Her shoulder gave a decided throb and for the first time, she wondered how injured she actually was.
“Damn,” he muttered under his breath. “We’ll have to look at that shoulder.” He worked the bodice off and bent down, scooting the fabric over her hips. The pain was forgotten as heat flushed her entire body. “I’m sure I’m fine. I…” She didn’t know what to say. She’d never been this intimately situated with any man before.
“Can ye call for a doctor?” he asked, looking over to Rose. “I’ll pay fer any care she needs.”
“Of course. I’ll have one of the stable boys go.” Rose started up the hill toward the barn. “Have Eliza stay as your chaperone,” she called over her shoulder as the man tugged off her corset. She hadn’t even felt him pulling on the strings.
“My.” She gave a nervous laugh that came out shaky from the shivers. “You’re quite good at that.”
He didn’t answer as suddenly his hands were up under her chemise. She yelped but he ignored that too as her pantaloons landed in a heap at her feet. Then he was lifting her again. “I’m going tae set ye in the tub now lass, then we’ll dump water over yer face and hair when more buckets arrive.”
That made her cry out again but not in pain. “You can’t put me in the bath. My chemise. It will—” The words become completely sheer died on her lips as the hot water touched her rear. She was in the water before she could start talking again and she immediately brought up her hands to cover her breasts. Which made her shoulder ache in pain. But honestly, she’d been more right than she cared to admit. As soon as the water had dampened the wet fabric, her rosy nipples had become completely noticeable. “Oh dear lord,” she murmured, sinking down into the water. At least the mud was already turning the bath opaque.
He looked beyond her at the horizon his jaw clenched. For the first time, she noticed how dirty he’d become while caring for her. “Your jacket is ruined.”
He shook his head, still not looking at her. “I’ve got more. Let’s worry about ye first.”
The back door banged open
