The doctor sighed and looked pitifully at Hugh. “The next twelve hours will not be easy on the poor boy. Not even a little bit.”
The doctor left them quickly after that, after confirming once again that Hugh needed to be kept cool until his fever broke, and that it was imperative that someone stay with him throughout the night.
Alistair was more than up to the task.
“Mrs. Fletcher, you can retire for the evening.” He pulled up a chair beside Hugh’s head. “No sense in both of us getting no sleep tonight.”
“Are you sure, Your Grace?” she asked.
“Very.” He offered her a grateful smile. “You’ve done all you can.”
“I’m staying too.” Miss Norleigh grabbed hold of the settee by the end of Hugh’s bed and dragged it beside Alistair’s chair.
“Miss Norleigh, there is no need –”
“Do not even think about telling me to go to bed.” She sat down, crossed her arms over her chest, and fixed him in a look that warranted no argument. “If you want me gone, you will have to drag me out.”
Alistair didn’t try to hide his smile, nor did he try to hide his relief. He let it shine, which was answer enough for Miss Norleigh. She stood up and collected the bowl of water and the washcloths, then she sat herself back down, rinsing them out, and dabbing again at Hugh’s head and body.
And Alistair watched her in silence, not caring that he stared.
H
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The silence in the room had been going on for some time now, but Yvette hardly noticed it. If anything, she felt perfectly comfortable. Hugh was fast asleep, thankfully, and the Duke remained by his side, holding his hand, looking upon his son with absolute worry and especially love.
Once, Yvette might have questioned the Duke’s feelings for his son. That, she now knew, was an assumption that had been sorely misplaced.
Yvette had no doubt whatsoever that the Duke did care for his son. It might have taken him a while to get there, the going was not easy, and it certainly wasn’t smooth, but he loved his son. Of that, she was certain.
She almost felt as if she was impeding upon them. And while a small part of her thought to leave the Duke alone with his son, a greater part could not bring herself to do so.
Some of that was for Hugh, because she wanted to remain until he was well again. A greater part was on account of the Duke. It was silly to think, and she had no doubt that she was reading into what wasn’t there, but Yvette felt that the Duke needed her at that moment, that her being there gave him strength.
Is that just me being hopeful? I am not so sure it is anymore. More than once, I have caught him glancing at me, as if to check that I have not left.
He wants me here by his side. Just as I want to be here.
“You have been good with him,” the Duke spoke suddenly. He did not look at her, still focused on his son.
“Excuse me?” she started.
“With Hugh.” His voice was strained and tired. “You have been good with him, far better than I deserve.” A quick glance in her direction. “I don’t know how… how I can…”
“You don’t have to do anything,” she hurried to say. “In truth, I am a little embarrassed.”
“What for?”
She smiled sheepishly. “When you arrived home earlier, the way I was behaving…” She grimaced. “No doubt you thought that Hugh had been seriously injured or worse. I can’t imagine what you thought when you saw me.”
“No,” he said. “Don’t apologize. Ever.” His voice turned hard. “You should not apologize for caring, because that’s what you were doing.”
“Maybe…”
“Not maybe,” he said. “As worried as I was, you were just as much. It tells me that you care for Hugh as if he is your own, which tells me that I made the right choice hiring you.” He turned and looked at her. “For that, thank you. Although, I feel like I’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
“Doing what?”
