Jacob snorted. “The whole castle kens. They saw ye both come out of the rain, looking a bit worse for wear. Ye didnae look pleased, according to the kitchen maids.”
Kayden’s lips twisted. “I didnae peg ye for a gossip.”
Jacob shrugged. “Ach, I cannae help listening when I’m sitting in the kitchen, getting fed the best bits of pig stew.”
Kayden would have laughed if he had not been so taken up in worry for his wife.
“She will be alright. It is just the ague,” Jacob assured him, understanding shining in his eyes.
“Ye daenae ken that for sure.”
Just then, the door opened, and Moira came out.
“She is sleeping,” she said. “I cannae deal with this meself. I need Old Fergus.”
Jacob straightened up. “I will fetch him.”
Kayden reached a hand out to stop him. “Nay, I will go. Ye stay here.”
Old Fergus bent over Lilliana, his hand poking and prodding.
Kayden balled his fists so as not to reach out and break the man’s fingers. For some reason, he did not like the old healer touching her so familiarly. But when he looked at Lilliana, her face both flushed and pale, sweaty and shivering, he could not help but worry.
She coughed, the hacking sound an affront to his ears.
Fergus straightened up with a nod.
“Will she be well?” Kayden asked.
Fergus turned to look at him. “Aye, I think so. Let her sleep as much as possible, cool her forehead if it gets warm, and stoke the fire so she doesnae get cold.” He turned to Moira. “I think if ye let a cauldron of eucalyptus and peppermint water steam in the fire and make hibiscus tea, she will be fine in a day or so.”
Moira nodded. “I will make sure it is done.”
The old healer began to make his way to the door, Moira and Betsy trailing behind him. “Her throat will be sore for a while, so give her a spoonful or two of honey to soothe it.”
Kayden stayed behind, staring down at Lilliana. He hesitated to touch her lest he hurt her in some way. He pulled a stool to the side of her bed and sat on it, watching her chest rise and fall.
Her sleep was nowhere near peaceful. She jerked about, her eyelids fluttering. Reaching out slowly, he placed a hand on her cheek and leaned in.
“Hush, lassie. Ye are safe here,” he whispered.
She let out a moan that went straight to his manhood, much to his chagrin. He did not want to think about other reasons why she might moan like that. Still, he could not help the way his eyes drifted to her lips.
He reached out and brushed her hair from her face. “Ye are a veritable temptation, are ye nae, Lilliana?” he whispered to her.
He watched her for a few minutes, curious as to whether she heard him or not.
She gave no indication that she had heard him, but her agitation had eased. The door squeaked open, and he turned to see who was there, not bothering to remove his hand from her face.
Rua came padding into the room, sniffing curiously at the floor before coming on the other side of Lilliana’s bed.
Kayden smiled at his dog. “Ye have come to keep guard, have ye nae?” he asked.
Rua huffed as if to say,Of course.
Kayden laughed softly, getting to his feet. “Very well then. Guard her well. I leave her in yer care,” he murmured.
He patted the bed, and Rua immediately jumped up, settling against Lilliana’s side.
