Page 90 of Wicked Rivals
“Rosalind?” He blinked, keeping his distance by remaining in the doorway. He was pale, his blue eyes heavy with shadows. “What are you doing here?”
“You said I was to stay in your chambers…” Had she done something wrong?
He walked a step farther into the room, dragging a hand through his hair. “I thought perhaps you’d take advantage and leave while I was seeing to Rafe.”
She bristled. “I made a promise to you, my lord. I would not leave unless you broke our agreement first. Besides, someone has to look after you while you look after Rafe.”
Ashton gave a half smile. “I’d kiss you for that, but I’m afraid you mustn’t come any closer. I don’t wish to endanger you…” His voice drifted off, and he braced himself against the wall with one hand.
“Ashton…”
“I’m fine. Just a lack of sleep. Please, just a moment.” He drew in a deep breath. “Perhaps a…chair.” He took another few steps forward, and Rosalind saw his body listing to one side.
She leapt toward him without thinking, catching him by the waist as he collapsed. They both toppled to the ground. Panicking, she rolled him over and gasped. He was unconscious.
“My lady!” Claire gasped from the doorway.
“Claire, please fetch Lady Lennox at once! He’s ill!”
“What about you? You shouldn’t be so close.”
“Someone needs to tend to him. Can you help me lift him onto the bed?”
“Of course I can.” But Rosalind didn’t miss the concern in her voice as she aided Rosalind in lifting Ashton up onto the bed. This malady was striking fast enough to discourage anyone from getting too close.
“Fetch me a bowl of water, clean cloths and some clothes to wear. And have that doctor brought back to the house at once.”
Rosalind was barely aware of her lady’s maid running off; she was focused completely on Ashton. She perched on the edge of his bed and brushed his hair out of his eyes. His dark-gold lashes fluttered, and he shifted restlessly on the sheets.
“Rosalind…” He breathed her name in such a desperate tone that her heart ached.
She stroked his face with a gentle hand. “I’m here.”
Ashton’s eyes opened. He stared up at her through pain-fogged pupils. “Rafe. I need to—” He tried to sit up, but she gently pressed him down onto the bed again.
“You must rest, my lord. I will tend to Rafe.”
Ashton chuckled, but it turned into a cough. “Why does the thought of that make me worried?”
Rosalind laughed, though she couldn’t hide the strain in her voice. “Because I’ll be tempted to prod his injured arm to pay him back for robbing my coach?” she suggested.
“Yes, that’s it exactly.” Ashton’s lips formed a weary smile before his eyes closed once again.
Claire returned and set a washbasin on the table beside the bed and handed her a set of cloths.
“Thank you, Claire. Please tell Mr. Lowell I can tend to his master if he’s worried about catching the grippe.”
Ashton stirred again at the name. “Don’t be too hard on Lowell. His mother died from influenza when he was a boy. He’s frightened of it. You ought to be too, Rosalind. I don’t want anyone else falling ill.”
She dampened a cloth and laid it upon his brow. “It’s too late to argue with me, my lord. You should know by now that I do as I please.”
He sighed, his eyelids dropping again, and soon his breathing deepened with sleep.
Rosalind shifted her position so she could lean against the back of the bed and watch him. It would be so easy to run away back to London. But she couldn’t abandon him, not when he needed her most. But it was more than that. She wanted to stay because, against her better judgment, she’d come to care for the bloody Englishman. All his arrogance, pride, stubbornness and pragmatism she’d despised were traits she possessed as well. They were cut from the same cloth.
She curled her fingers around his and gave his hand a squeeze.
“Be strong, Ashton,” she said softly. “I wish for you to fulfill our wager. As silly as it is, I believe we just might find a measure of happiness together. When we aren’t quarrelling, that is.” Rosalind smiled and caressed his cheek. He turned his face into her touch. His lips moved but no words came out. His skin burned her to the touch. Such a fever…
