“It is good to finally have you home, Arran,” Bethany said with a welcoming smile and tears pooling in her aging eyes.
Arran was glad to see she hadn’t changed much. Her hair was no grayer than the last time he’d seen her and she was as slim as she’d always been, and her smile as warm and loving as always. He was truly glad to see her and the thought surprised him.
“I’m glad to be home, Bethany, and glad to see you are as beautiful as ever.”
“There you go charming with that sweet-talking tongue of yours,” she said with a chuckle. “I sure have missed it.”
He was too stunned to respond. The words had slipped out of his mouth with familiar ease. And why not? He’d often told her she was beautiful and she was. Of course, it hadn’t hurt to tell her when he would try to get extra sweets out of her, which he’d done often.
“I’ll have the tub filled for you to take a good hot soak. Your wife couldn’t keep her eyes open after she finished her bath and is sound asleep.”
“Forget my bath, I don’t wish to disturb her,” Arran ordered.
“You won’t. Oria had already thought about that. The bath is in your old room and your wife sleeps in Royden’s old room. Oria and Royden occupy the master bedchamber and your da and Wren chose to settle in a cottage nearby,” Bethany explained. “I also left you some sweet cakes to enjoy.”
“You have my heart, Bethany,” he said, another familiar response he had often given her slipping easily past his lips. The only thing missing was the smile that had always gone along with his words.
Bethany chuckled. “Go on with you and enjoy your bath.”
Arran shook his head as he entered his old bedchamber. It was as he remembered it and it stirred no feelings in him. He was quick to undress once the tub was full and just as quick to wash, dismissing the servants who’d stayed to help him. He wanted no one seeing the scars on his back and gossiping about them. He was eager to get to his wife and see that she slept safe and sound, though as he thought on it, his hand slowed at his task.
It would do him no good to climb into bed with her, just giving it thought stirred his loins, and he refused to disturb her much needed sleep. He had told her not to wait for him. There was time enough for them to consummate their vows. Why then was he so eager to see it done sooner rather than later?
He rested his head back on the rim of the tub and was woken by a servant, how long after he didn’t know but if the cold water was any indication it had to have been some time. He ordered the servants away. The tub could wait till morning. As soon as they left, he dried off and got beneath the covers of his old bed. There was no sense tempting himself, since the thought of his wife in bed where he was to join her continued to stir his loins, but not enough to keep him from falling asleep.
Arran woke early the next morning, stretching himself awake, and hurrying out of bed. He donned a tan shirt and plaid, and boots that had been left there for him, and went to fetch his wife. He was eager to see her and share the morning meal together.
He knocked before entering, not wanting to startle her, only to find the room empty.
Chapter 12
Arran hurried to the Great Hall, ensuring himself that he’d find his wife there. When he didn’t, and he saw that the keep itself was just stirring to life, he began to worry. He asked servant after servant, but none had seen Purity.
Quick strides took him to his brother as soon as Royden entered the Great Hall. “Have you seen Purity?”
“No,” Royden said. “She must move gently if she left your bedchamber without waking you.”
“I stayed in my old bedchamber last night,” Arran admitted. “She was exhausted and I didn’t want to disturb her.”
A scrunch of Royden’s brow told Arran that he had a question on his mind and Arran knew what it was. He wondered if their wedding vows had been properly sealed.
“Don’t ask,” Arran warned before his brother could voice his thought.
Royden obliged with a nod, then asked, “Have you seen the dog and cat that seem to go everywhere with her?”
He’d been so concerned with not finding Purity that he hadn’t even given thought to the animals. They were missing as well, which at least meant his wife had some protection.
“No, I haven’t seen them either,” Arran said.
“Something wrong?” Parlan asked when he entered the room and saw the worry on Arran’s face.