Eyes still shut, Kieran smiled. “Don’t go yet.”
She could not keep her heart from turning over at the request, even as she recognized that it stemmed from residual shock at the evening’s horrific events. “I think I must, before Doctor Andrews orders me out.” She hid a yawn behind her hand. “Besides, the shocks of the day are catching up with me as well. I suddenly find that I can barely keep my own eyes open.”
He turned to stare at her intently. “Stay here tonight.”
She froze. “Here? With you?”
“Only if you want to.” His gaze never left her face. “Please?”
Torn between her rapidly beating heart and her common sense, she sought the first refuge for her stormy emotions she could think of. “I’ll speak with the doctor.”
To her surprise, the medical man made no objection. “Best thing for both of you right now, and if you’re with his lordship we won’t need to find a nurse tonight.”
And so, after changing into her nightgown, she found herself nervously tapping at his door. When he did not answer, she quietly turned the handle and peeked inside.
“Kier?” Her soft inquiry met with no answer. Thelight from a single candelabrum showed him fast asleep. She chewed her bottom lip. If he did not remember issuing the invitation tomorrow morning, he would be vastly put out.
He stirred in his sleep, giving a grunt of pain. As he tried to adjust himself into a more comfortable position, she threw caution to the winds. Arranging the pillows to provide the most comfortable resting place for him, she slid between the sheets on his uninjured side.
Almost at once, his fingers entwined with hers.
“Dina,” he sighed. Moments later, she felt his warm body relax completely as he slipped deeper into sleep.
The next few days passed in a blur for Diantha. The need for secrecy complicated the funeral arrangements; fortunately she and Doctor Andrews came up with a satisfactory story to tell Kieran’s extended family. Barclay, it seemed, had been dazzled by the sunset and lost his footing at the cliff’s edge, then his mother’s heart had given way at the news of his death.
“Which is the truth in a way, your ladyship.” The doctor relaxed in her sitting room, sipping a glass of sherry, while Diantha arranged a fragrant bouquet from the gardens. New lines creased the doctor’s face as he changed the subject. “I understand Lord Rossburn has asked to attend the services?”
“He is concerned that everything should appear as normal as possible. I fear he will collapse before their conclusion.” In a low voice, she stated the feargrowing in her heart. “Are you convinced he will make a full recovery? He is still so weak.”
“Your ladyship has nothing to fear.” He crossed the room to clasp her hand in both of his. “He lost a staggering amount of blood. If he’d been left much longer, his wounds would have been fatal.” She shuddered, feeling the prick of tears in her eyes.
“There, now, don’t cry. While he’ll be weak as a kitten for some time, proper food and plenty of rest will restore him. You just take the same good care of him that you have been.” He patted her hand.
“The worst thing is he doesn’t even argue about being confined to bed.” A wry smile twisted her mouth. “It’s not like him.”
“That depends on what I’m doing there.” Kieran stood in the doorway, braced up by his valet. Still far too pale, a lively twinkle nevertheless animated his aqua eyes.
“Kieran Moray St. Colm!”Face burning, Diantha glared at him as Davison helped him to the divan. “You are disgraceful!”
“Well I know it.” The doctor’s chuckle relieved her slightly. “I’ve had that lad as a patient a good deal longer than you have, you know.”
He picked up his medical bag and took his leave a few minutes later, after assuring himself that Davison had not disturbed any bandages.
She approached her husband uncertainly. He had appeared comfortable enough in his room.
“You needed a change of scenery?” She resisted the urge to brush an unruly wave of hair off his forehead. A shock ran through her as he caught her hand.
“My room was getting a bit oppressive.” His hand gently squeezed her fingers. “And lonely.” Diantha’s heart fluttered at his words, but she was afraid to hope he spoke out of anything but boredom and solitude.
The next month followed the same pattern. Except on the day of the double funeral for Barclay and Iona, he spent hours in her company. During the days when he lacked the strength to do anything but lay down, she ran the household from her sitting room. At first the servants found it uncomfortable to discuss their duties in his presence, but as Lord Rossburn did not attempt to interfere, they adjusted.
Estate business proved a greater challenge. Riding out to oversee the property was out of the question in Kieran’s weakened state. He tried to conduct business through reports and interviews with the bailiff, but Mr. Johnstone could not be everywhere himself.
“Why not use Archie Green?” Diantha made the suggestion after another endless interview that left both employer and employee frustrated. “He’s trustworthy and respected by the tenants. Give him a position such as ‘assistant bailiff,’ perhaps, and pay him for it.”
The two men looked at each other.
“Right under our noses the entire time.” Kieran grinned ruefully.
