The sound of splashing water reminded her of the bath that Gertie had said awaited her here, and Iliana’s forehead puckered with confusion. There was no bath to be found. It was the second splash that drew her eyes to the door beside the bed. She had not noticed it at first but now did so with surprise. There was no such door in her room at home, but it seemed here, a second room was attached to the bedchamber, and that seemed to be where the bath was.

Thinking the servant must still be filling the tub for her, she moved slowly to the door and peered curiously into the room. Inside was a tub: quite the largest Iliana had ever seen. But the sound of splashing was not from servants filling it with water. It was the sound her husband made as he shifted about inside it, washing himself.

“I could use some help with me back.”

Iliana started at those words. Duncan had not even glanced up, yet he was aware of her presence. “How did you know I was here?” The question slipped from her lips in surprise and Duncan raised his head slowly to meet her gaze, his own serious.

“I always ken when yer near. Were I blind I would ken,” he repeated her words from the other day, but added gently, “Ye bring the scent o’ wildflowers with ye.”

Iliana swallowed, her gaze sliding over his broad, bare chest as he rinsed it. “The room…” Her voice faded away into uncertainty and he paused in his actions to lean back in the tub and smile at her gently.

“I thought ye might be more comfortable were ye to have a more familiar room. Yer mother and Ebba helped me.”

“That was not necessary.”

“Nay, I ken. I was wrong that day. Yer not afraid o’ change as I accused. At least, if ye are, ’tis no more so than anyone else. Me, for instance.” He gazed briefly down into the water surrounding him, then smiled crookedly and confessed, “I suppose I had not fully realized what taking a wife would mean when we married. I thought ye would just be another mouth to feed, and a body to warm me bed of a night.”

Iliana’s eyebrows rose at that and he shrugged.

“I am an ignorant man at times, wife. ’Tis not that I am stupid, but sometimes I seem to get all wrapped up in concerns about safety and such and forget such gentle concerns as comfort and carin’. I suspect that may be a problem with most men. Mayhap ’tis why God made women. To supply the softer needs.” Sighing impatiently, he shook his head. “I am not saying this well. I had it all planned out and—”