He nodded. “I like you.” A grin spread across his face as his eyes closed again.
She returned to the kitchen, grabbing another length of cloth from the hook on the wall, bringing it back to Eddard. She cleaned the wounds on his chest carefully while he mumbled about liking her.
She smiled. If only it were true, not the ramblings of a man on the brink of losing consciousness. She wouldn’t mind him liking her. There would be worse things than a six foot plus man mountain taking care of her, acting like a guardian angel. Maybe more.
It wasn’t true though and she knew better than to think it was. She cleaned his wounds as best she could, moving his baldric to one side to ensure she got every spot she needed to.
When she was done she hoisted herself into the chair opposite him and watched. He was snoring loudly. Was that a good sign? She wasn’t sure.
“Eddard?” a voice said above her. She looked up to find the landlord standing with his arms folded, staring at the two of them. “Well, well, well. Still getting into scrapes, I see.”
Eddard grunted, his eyes blinking open. “Scott. Get me a drink or the Devil take you.”
“You havenae paid me for the broken window last time you were in here.”
“Och, you owe me for getting rid of those wolves, I’d say we’re even. Or would you rather I’d let them run riot?” He was sitting up in his chair, the blank expression gone as the color returned to his cheeks.
The landlord rolled his eyes before smiling. “It’s good to see you again. Ronald ended your banishment, has he?”
“Not quite.”
“So you’re on the lam? I like it.”
“Listen, Scott. Have you got a room for the night?”
“And I suppose you want to stay for free?”
“I’ll be able to pay you in a couple of days.”
“That’s what you said last time and it’s been what? Ten years?”
“Trust you to remember that far back. Look, can we stay or not?”
The landlord nodded. “Aye, you can stay but I’ve only one room.”
Eddard shook his head, folding his arms over his chest and wincing as he brushed over his wounds. “The lass cannae stay with me. We are not newlyweds.”
“It’s that or out the door. Market day tomorrow. I’m full up.”
Eddard turned to Jessica. “What do you want to do?”
“We’ll share,” she said. “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t snore.”
Scott led them through a door near the fireplace and up a narrow flight of stairs. The sound of talking followed them up, only becoming muffled when they walked into the far room and looked about them.
“This is fine,” Jessica said, turning to the landlord. “Thank you.”
“Take care of him,” Scott replied. “Until I get paid, at least.”
“I will do that,” she said as he pulled the door closed, leaving the two of them alone.
“You take the bed,” Eddard said. “I’ll go by the fire.” He began pulling blankets over to the floor.
“You’re wounded,” she replied, stepping in front of him. “You sleep on the bed. That’s an order.”
“My honor willnae allow a lass to sleep at my feet like a pup.”
“And I won’t see a wounded man sleeping on the floor.”
