“I did say that, and so I shall. Go on, ye can change in the bathroom suite, so off ye go, take a nice hot one, and I shan’t worry ye while ye are in there.”
I looked over my shoulder in his direction. “Well, then, thank you, yes, I’m going to take a long hot bath…”
“With bubbles?” he asked.
“Yes,” I laughed then, “with bubbles.”
“Then go on, and let me know when ye are covered in the bubbles and I’ll stay with ye and we can talk about this new development.”
“I don’t think so,” I answered, and went into the bathroom.
“Are ye prudish then? I can remain with m’back to ye while ye bathe,” he said.
I released a heavy sigh. “Oh, damn it then, just wait ‘til I get in.” I hurried into the bathroom. Got the tub started, brushed my hair and clipped it at the top of my head.
I looked to make sure he wasn’t about and dropped out of my clothes and into the tub. Oh, it was good to sink into its oily hotness.
I moaned with pleasure and heard him whisper, “Och aye, but ye sound pleasured and that pleasures me.”
I ignored this and said, “I discovered something when I was at the little café this afternoon.”
“Did ye? And what was that?”
“Brently Manor scares people off…even in the daylight. I wonder why,” I said, hoping he would know.
“Now, lass, dinnae be thinking of going there…nae even during the day!” he snapped.
“What makes you think I am thinking of going there?” I snapped back.
“’Tis edged in yer voice, written in yer eyes. Ye can barely contain yerself about it.”
I laughed. “Well, that’s true. I do think I might be able to uncover something we can use against her.”
“Ye can’t. I lived at Brently for a time and never found one thing that I could use against her.”
“Hmm, I guess you are right. I worked on a protection spell and tested it out on Mrs. Tunny…who, by the way, believes in vampires. She is convinced her husband was killed by one.”
“I know,” he said gravely.
“Was it your vampire? Was it Allora that killed him?”
“Nae, it had to be a vampire passing through, nae even one of her disciples. They do from time to time. I’ve always thought MacLeod draws them because of Brently Manor,” his voice trailed off.
“Well, she and Davis believe in the existence of vampires. Apparently there was a servant’s child who saw Allora that awful night when she…well, that night. He saw her again in Paris when he was there on business just a few days ago. So at least we know she is in Paris.”
I sank lower into the bubbles, which were beginning to disappear.
“A few days ago? Bobbie…lass, she could be on her way here at any moment!”
“But why would she? She hasn’t been here in twenty plus years. Why would she come now?”
“To Allora, time means nothing. If she is enjoying herself, she will remain where she is…until she gets bored or has reason to return.”
“I have an idea, Devin,” I said, and realized he was staring at the swells of my breasts, which some of the dissipating bubbles had exposed.
“Aye, do ye? As do I,” he said huskily.
I could have told him to turn around. I could have. I didn’t. My thighs clenched in the water and I felt a sudden urgent need as I looked into his eyes.