Rendezvous With Yesterday (The Gifted Ones #2)(28)

That night, instead of celebrating the victory with the other warriors and boasting of his kills to any and all who would listen, Robert had sought solace in Eleanor’s arms. Only she had seemed to understand.

Leaning closer to Bethany, he massaged the fragrant soap into her scalp and tried in vain to remember what magical words Eleanor had imparted so long ago to banish his turmoil.

Beth’s chin rose skyward as she looked up at him. “Are you just trying to make me feel better? Or are you speaking from experience?”

“Experience.” He moved around to her side so she would not have to strain to see him while he continued to work the lather through the hair at her temples.

“You’ve killed someone then?” she asked, her tone cautious.

“More men than I care to admit.” He could see his words shook her and forced a casual shrug. “War cannot always be avoided.” He shook his head. “At times it seems constant, so often is it waged, warranted or nay. I choose my battles as I can, fulfilling my duty to my country and ensuring the safety of my family. Yet even in the most minor of skirmishes, there are casualties. I have been one myself a time or two.”



When she didn’t cringe away from him, he relaxed. He had thought for a moment that she might turn away from him or again begin to fear him. “If you will slide a bit more toward the edge, I shall rinse your hair for you now.”

Rising up on her elbows, she inched backward until her head hung completely off the edge.

Robert slid one hand beneath her mass of soapy hair and cupped her head for support. The other he combed through her dark locks, letting the current sweep the soap away.

When the last pale bubble had abandoned them, he gathered the gleaming strands together and gently twisted as he had seen Eleanor do to wring out the excess water.

“Thank you.” Reaching back, Bethany liberated the thick bunch from him and sat up.

Rising, he left the cool water and stepped up onto the bank, where he proceeded to remove his shirt.

“Hey. What are you doing?” Bethany blurted. “Just because I let you wash my hair doesn’t mean I want to play I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.”

A burst of laughter escaped him, startling him more than it did her.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Forgive me, Beth.” It took tremendous effort to choke back his amusement and reduce his smile to a mere twitch of the lips. “While I admit such a game sounds intriguing…” He raised his eyebrows and gave her his most charming grin, sparking a small smile of her own. “’Twas not my intention to engage in it now. I merely thought to have a quick wash since my garments are already wet and soap and water are both available.”

“Oh.” She twisted her hair to squeeze more water out of it. “So, where should I bathe then?”

“Here. I shall turn my back.”

“I can’t bathe with you here,” she protested.

“I will not watch you, Beth,” he informed her patiently. Though the temptation would be great, he felt confident he could resist it.

“Then go wait for me at the campsite. I can find my way back.”

“I cannot leave you unprotected.”

“Have you forgotten this?” Reaching down to her ankle, she removed the smallest of her weapons from her boot. “I have my twenty-two. I’ll be perfectly safe.”

He eyed the silvery object doubtfully, unsure exactly what such a weapon did. “You are not familiar with these woods and know neither the dangers they possess nor how swiftly they can come upon you. I will not leave you alone.”

Her expression darkened with a mixture of frustration and dismay.

He loosed a heavy sigh. “I am here to protect you, Beth, not ravish you. Had the latter been my intention, I would have already done so. I vow I have never taken a woman by force in my life.”

A flush mounted her cheeks.

“I have already told you I will turn my back. If ’twill make you feel better, then leave your undergarments on, though I assure you such is not necessary.”

A moment passed. “Fine,” she grumbled, scooting off the rock and stepping onto the grassy bank. “I guess it’s nothing you haven’t seen before anyway. Just don’t take this as an invitation.”

“As you wish.”

Robert learned something new about her then. When Bethany decided to place her trust in someone, she gave her full trust.



After placing her twenty-two on the ground a few feet from the water’s edge, she proceeded to disrobe without even asking him to give her his back. She discarded her boots and odd, thick, ankle-high white hose first. Then she parted her long-sleeved tunic down the middle and shrugged out of it.

He stepped forward and extended one hand.

A question in her gaze, Bethany handed him the jacket, he thought she called it.

“I thought to wash it for you whilst you bathe.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you’re real?”

“I do not understand.”

Shaking her head, she lowered her hands to the sides of her odd vest. “You’re too good to be true, Robert. First you say you would give your life to protect me.” Rrrrip. “Then you kneel in icy water and wash my hair.” Rrrrip. “And now you’re offering to wash my filthy clothes for me.” Rrrrip. Rrrrip. She lifted the vest over her head. “No man is that nice.” Tossing it aside, she reached for her belt. A few nimble pulls and it joined her vest at her feet.