Page 30 of Ella’s Desire

After thanking him, Ella put her hand on Bronson’s arm and together they walked into the castle to the new cry of alarm from Rohesia, the castle’s Chatelaine. She immediately whisked Ella away and set her maids to work preparing a bath, readying a new gown to be worn and seeing what could be done about those awful stains.

Once her bath was ready, Ella stepped into the hot, perfumed water and sank into it with a sigh.

Bronson.

His name floated into her mind like a daydream. She leaned her head back on the linen-covered back of the tub and let her mind drift back to that moment in the forest. Her blood had still been raging from the fight, every nerve on high alert, incredibly sensitive. The way he’d brushed his fingers over her breasts, her nipples…

She lifted a hand in the bath and did as he had done, gently brushing the buds. Lust immediately blossomed to life between her legs, insistent and ready. She had never been ashamed of her body, or of giving in to her own release.

This time when she slid her fingers between her legs, she imagined they were Bronson’s. And she was far, far wetter than ever before.

“Was it the Grahams?” A voice said as the door to her bed chamber opened.

Ella jerked her hand away from her sex and sat up straight, sending water splashing on all sides of the tub.

Cat rushed over with a laugh. “Ella, don’t you want the water in the tub with you?”

Ella’s face burned at having almost been discovered fondling herself so intimately.

Cat chuckled. “You needn’t look so guilty, Sister. It was a mere jest.” She was practically glowing with happiness. Most likely due to the letter she’d received from Geordie.

“I assume Geordie is doing well?” Ella settled back into the tub and tried to ignore the large puddles in the floor.

Cat rummaged around in a cabinet and turned back to Ella, her arms laden with a pitcher, soap and a comb. All the essentials for washing Ella’s hair. With five girls, the Werrick sisters never bothered with maids for dressing and washing their hair. There was no need when they had each other.

Although soon there would be only Cat and Leila. Would Rohesia be asked to assign a maid to care for them then?

“Aye, Geordie’s doing very well.” Cat set all the items beside the tub and brought over the small stool they used when helping one another bathe. She settled behind Ella and plunged the pitcher into the tub water. “He said one of the earls there is considering him for his household.” A note of sadness pinched her voice. “Tilt your head.”

Ella did as she was told. A rush of perfumed water washed through her hair, yet not a drop got in her eyes. But then, Cat always was the best at keeping water out of one’s face while washing hair.

“But you will hear all about him and his life now when I read you his letter tonight.” Cat scooped a bit of soap from the wooden bowl and worked it between her hands. “Now enough distraction. Tell me of your ride with Lord Calville. Was it romantic? Did you let him save you from the attack? It wasn’t the Grahams, was it?” Cat tsked. “That would be so disappointing if it was them.” Her fingers through Ella’s hair, massaging in the soap.

It would truly be disappointing if it had been the Grahams who had attacked them, especially after Anice had offered herself in marriage to make peace between them all. Fortunately, the union was a happy one and Anice had found love in the most unlikely situation.

There was hope yet for Ella.

“Nay, it wasn’t the Grahams.” Tingles spread over Ella’s scalp and she gave in to the luxury of having her hair washed for her. “I’m not sure what clan they were, but Bronson—”

“Bronson?” Cat squealed. “Is that Lord Calville’s Christian name? Did he kiss you?” She demanded with a pitch of excitement in her tone. “He must have for you to refer to him so informally.” She stopped scrubbing Ella’s hair as she answered her own question. Cat knelt by the side of the tub, her hands still coated with soap. “Did you enjoy it? Do you feel happier about the impending wedding now?”

Ella simply grinned and gave her sister a little lift of her shoulders with her brows raised.

Cat dropped her head forward in exasperation. “You are cruel to be so coy.” She spoke with mock indignation for Cat was never actually put out by anything. “You know I will most likely never marry. You, Anice and Marin are all I’ll be able to rely on for stories of love and romance.”

“That isn’t true,” Ella chided. “You may be forced to wed your own Englishman.”

Cat laughed at that and resumed her place at the back of the tub to continue her task. She chattered on while washing and Ella tried to listen, truly she did. But her mind kept skipping back to Bronson. To that kiss. To his fingers gliding over her stocking clad leg, and all the additional things they would eventually do together.

Mayhap if they were able to share such passion together, they might have a chance at love. She certainly was finding her attentions drawn toward him.

Perhaps it might be time to move from her shared room with her sisters to one with more privacy. Marin and Anice had done it when they were older, and it had not caused issue. And while Ella enjoyed the closeness with her younger siblings, she understood now that it was time for her to become more independent.

She never anticipated it would be so delightful a task.

Bronson could scarcely rein in his eagerness to see Ella at supper. Their time on the ride had been a great success and his attempts at heroism appeared to be winning her over.

She was not the only one who had enjoyed the time alone together. He had found it very pleasant. Enough that he couldn’t stop thinking of her, laying on the grass with her skirt delicately pulling up higher, higher, higher to reveal her smooth skin visible over the top of her woolen stockings.