Page 7 of Never Marry a Highlander

Gunn took another sip of what must have been whisky for him to be that drunk already and waved at another young maid.“Go fetch the healer and send her to Lorena’s bedchamber.”

Craig left the room and followed the maid down a corridor and up a flight of stairs.She led him to a room at the corner.He walked inside and placed Lorena on the bed.She was very warm and flushed in her face.

He turned to the maid who stood watching Lorena, wringing her hands.“Can you please undress her and leave her in her shift.I will await the healer outside the door.”As her husband, he had every right to remove her clothing, but considering they had just married, he thought it best to have the lass do it, or he would only make himself eager to consummate the marriage, which she was in no condition to do.

While he waited, he remembered upon entering her room that nothing seemed to have been packed and prepared for departure.There was no trunk, and all her trinkets were spread out on a table in front of a looking glass.He was quite sure had he looked in her wardrobe he would find her clothes hanging on hooks.

An older woman hurried toward him, the young maid behind her.“I am Bridget, the clan healer.What has happened to the poor lass?”

“I believe she has some sort of sickness.Her body is verra warm and she passed out at the dining table.She also asked a maid for some herbal water since she said her stomach was no’ feeling well, either.”

“Ah, the poor lass.And on her wedding day, too.”She looked at Craig.“If ye wish to return to the great hall, I can send word after I’ve examine her.”

He shook his head.“It doesna seem the right thing to do to celebrate when the bride is in her bed, sick.”

The healer gave him a slight smile and nodded.“Ye can take the chair o’er there.”She gestured toward the two chairs in front of the hearth against the wall.

Craig settled himself and watched as the healer worked.He’d seen this type of illness before, in fact he’d suffered from it himself about a year before.‘Twas obvious they wouldna be traveling tomorrow as he’d planned.

It also seemed obvious that there would be no wedding night for him.He leaned his head on the back of the chair and studied the healer as she worked.Lorena woke up and he heard her speaking softly to the healer.

After a short time, Bridget gave instructions to the young maid who left and then the healer walked over to him.“She is suffering from sweating sickness.As long as she drinks a lot of liquid and rests in her bed she should be fine in a week or two.”

“A week or two?When will she able to travel?”

Bridget studied him for a minute.“Let’s see how she does.I doona recommend her traveling until she is free of the fever and feels up to it.”She patted him on the shoulder.“’Tis sorry I am that the poor lass is sick on yer wedding day.”

Based on the woman’s face, he was sure she was referring to his planned activities when the celebration was over, and they were alone in the room.He ran his hand down his face.“I will sit with her and make sure she doesna need ye again.”

Once the healer left the room, Craig pulled the chair up to the side of the bed.Lorena turned toward him.“I am sorry to be sick.”

“Doona fash yerself.‘Twas no’ something ye could help.”

She nodded and closed her eyes.

‘Twould be a long night and certainly not the one he’d planned on.