Archie and Billy entered just then with two more ghillies, using the blanket as a litter to carry Kieran. Seeing the large bloodstain soaking through the thick material, the housekeeper shrieked in horror.
“For God’s sake, ye miserable woman, stop your caterwauling and get out o’ the way!” Archie shouted as they hurried up the stairs with their burden. Doctor Andrews, following closely, paused to speak to Diantha.
“I’ll need you to sit with the elder Lady Rossburn. She is doubtless frantic with worry.”
Diantha shook her head. “My place is with my husband!”
He waved her protests aside. “You have done more than your share to keep him alive, Lady Rossburn.” He snapped the words out. “Unless you’ve dealt with violent injuries, which Archie Green has, you’ll only be a hindrance in the sickroom now.”
His brisk manner vanished. “I swear that if it should be necessary to summon you, I shall do so without delay.”
She understood that he referred to Kieran’s death. Her face stiffened as she fought back tears.
“Now do as you’re told and let me try to save his lordship’s life.”
Lady Rossburn’s maid opened the door to Diantha’s soft knock. In her seat by the fire, Kieran’s mother gripped the arms of her chair until the inflamed knuckles threatened to burst through her skin. Still, her voice remained steady. “Is there news?”
She carefully gathered the older woman into her arms as she briefly described the doctor’s actions so far. Lady Rossburn nodded. “I have every confidence in Doctor Andrews and in my son’s constitution.” Nevertheless, the gnarled hands gripped Diantha’s tightly until word came that her son would survive the night.
“Please, look in on my sister-in-law on your way to Kieran’s room.” Tears of relief, the first she had shed, glistened in her eyes. “She is suffering more than we are now.”
Resisting the temptation to leave Iona to her fate, Diantha nodded and kissed the soft cheek before hastening out of the room.
No reply answered her soft knock on Iona’s door. After several moments, she quietly twisted the handle. The door swung silently open under her touch. “Ma’am?” Dim light came from a pair of candles on a table by the bed. No sound came from the huddled figure partially hidden by the gauzy bed curtains. “I am so terribly sorry to disturb you—is there anything we can do for you?”
In spite of herself, pity for the woman’s plight welled up in her heart. She approached her. “I cannot tell you how horrified I am at your son’s death. I swear to you that I regret it more bitterly than you can imagine.” She could not blame Iona for not wanting to speak to her, but could not keep herself from asking for absolution.
“May I at least send for your maid, or write to a friend to come and stay with you during this time?” She took hold of a cold hand and felt wetness on her fingers. Jerking it back, she nearly fainted. The dim candlelight revealed that for the second time that night, her hands were covered in blood.
“I can’t faint here.” Automatically, she staggered to the doorway. Keeping her hands hidden, she gained the attention of a footman.
“Please inform Doctor Andrews or Archie Green that they are needed in Lady William’s room.” Her mother would be proud of her calm manner, she reflected grimly. By the time the doctor rushed in, she had lit enough candles to reveal the body on the blood-soaked bedding.
He shook his head and lifted a lifeless hand with its slit wrist. “Bad business all the way around.” Iona’s slim fingers wrapped around a sterling silver razor. Drying blood picked out Barclay’s monogram.
* **
After quietly ordering a few trusted servants to clean up Iona’s room, the doctor escorted her to Kieran’s chamber. “Do not disturb him with more bad news, my lady. I was able to stop the bleeding, but he’s not out of the woods yet.”
Her heart contracted at the sight of Kieran lying motionless in the four-poster bed. His dark hair formed a stark contrast to his waxy skin. As she approached, she wondered if he had died as well. A dry sob escaped her. At the sound, he opened his eyes.
“Diantha.” The thread of speech betrayed his weakness, but a smile flickered across his beautiful mouth at the sight of her. He extended a hand, barely able to lift it off the coverlet. “Come to me.”
“Are you in much pain?” She moved to the bed and clasped it. Unable to resist the lure of the dark waves, she gently brushed a strand off his forehead.
“Andrews gave me a little morphine, but I wanted to see you before I nodded off.” He awkwardly raised her fingers to his bloodless lips. “I can never thank you enough for saving my life tonight.”
Gratitude, not love. To her horror, tears sprang to her eyes at the realization that despite his tenderness, he could not fully return her feelings. Diantha tried to blink them away, but not quickly enough.
“Crying?” His fingers tightened on hers but he could not maintain his grip. “My poor girl, you must have been terrified.”
“I shall feel better once you’re fully recovered.” She forced her voice to remain tranquil. “But in order to do that, you must rest.” He made an impatient noise.
“None of that, sir. You are going to rest until the doctor tells you otherwise.”
“Termagant.” The thick lashes fluttered closed as the morphine started to take effect.
“So it would appear. And on that note, I must leave.” Needing to feel his skin, she bent to press her lips against his forehead.
