Page 33 of Never Marry a Highlander

Chapter Twelve

AsdeterminedasCraighad been about taking over his duties for Robin, when he opened his eyes the next morning, he knew it would be some time before he could do that.He was burning with fever and there wasn’t a place on his body that didn’t ache.

He reached over to touch Lorena’s soft hair, and she opened her eyes.“How do ye feel?”

“Terrible.Can ye fetch Helena and see what she can do?”

The look on his wife’s face almost made him move away from her.“What is amiss?”

She took a deep breath and attempted a smile.She didn’t quite make it.“I just got over sweating sickness; I am sure I ken how to take care of ye.There is no need to bother Helena.”

“She’s the clan healer.”

“I am yer wife!I just had sweating sickness.I helped tend sick people at Clyth Castle.I am no’ a dimwit.Ye are no’ bleeding to death or clutching yer chest in pain.”

Before he could respond, there was a slight knock at the door.“Aye,” Craig said.

Helena stepped in, all bright and cheerful, carrying her medicant basket.She smiled at them both.“How is our patient this morn?”

“Sick,” Lorena said and bent to scoop up her shift.She walked away from the bed and started washing her face.

After casting Lenora a puzzling look, Helena said, “’Tis sorry I am to hear that.No’ that I thought ye would be cured yet, but I ken sweating sickness can be difficult to deal with.”

“Aye,” Lorena said from the washbowl.

Craig had a feeling that something was troubling Lorena.Then he thought that perhaps ‘twas his fever.

“I’ve brought some clean cloths to wipe ye down and someone from the kitchen will be up shortly with cool water and a cup of broth for ye since I doona think ye will be able to hold down food yet.”

Craig shook his head.“Nay.I doona think I could hold anything down.”

From the side of his eye he saw Lorena pulling on her clothes, seeming to give a great deal of attention to tugging on her stockings and slipping on her shoes.

The door opened and two maids entered carrying a jug, bowl and a mug of the broth.“Ah, thank ye lasses.Ye can put the things over there,” Helena said as she pointed to the small table next to his bed.

She took one of the cloths and dipped it in the water just as Lorena walked up to the bed.Helena began to wipe him down and then turned to Lorena, “Do ye want to do this?”

“Nay.Ye do such a fine job.I’m sure I couldna do it as well as ye.”She turned and left the room.

Helena watched his wife leave and turned to him.“Did I do something wrong?”

“Nay.Lorena is just tired from the travel.She’ll be fine.”

***

Lorena stomped down the stairs and headed to the great hall.Since she had visited Dun Ugadale before when David was trying to negotiate a betrothal agreement, she was familiar with the layout of the keep.

When she entered the room, she felt almost as alone as she did when she was suffering at the hands of her brother and her husband.

“Lorena!”She turned as Robin walked into the room.He waved at her, “Come sit with me.”

Grateful to see one friendly face, she followed him to the dais where they both sat.Before they even settled in, Craig’s brother, Finn joined them.“’Tis sorry I am to not have been here yesterday when ye arrived.I was on my way back from our southern border to handle some disputes.”

Not sure how to respond to that, she smiled.“’Tis good to see ye, Finn.”

“I understand Craig is sick.How is he this morn?”

Before she could answer, Robin jumped in.“Helena is with him, so we’ll have a report when she joins us.”