“How are you feeling, lad?” Nick asked.
Graeme let go of Nick’s hand and covered his mouth. A moment later, he sneezed. “Actually, I think I’ve caught a cold.”
Victoria sighed. “Of course you have.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Victoria quietly closed the door to Graeme’s bedroom. Her head ached from stress and lack of sleep, but at least one of their worries was resolved.
“How is he?”
She turned to see Ainsley standing a few feet away. “Excuse me, my lady. I didn’t hear you.”
The girl’s full mouth quirked in a wry smile. “Please call me Ainsley. After all, we’ve been changing sheets and mopping damp brows together for the last three days.”
Victoria returned her smile. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”
Mrs. Taffy and Victoria had handled most of the nursing duties the first night, but then Grant had also come down with a heavy cold, as had four of the castle’s servants. Ainsley had surprised them all by pitching in, belying her image of a spoiled society miss.
Not that she’d been the cheeriest of nurses or particularly gentle. In fact, she’d snapped at poor Graeme when he was particularly difficult or refused to take his medicine. Luckily, her stern demeanor sometimes proved more effective than Victoria’s more gentle approach.
“I was happy to help,” Ainsley said. “Well, not happy, but it was better than sitting around bored in the middle of nowhere. Marginally better, anyway.”
The answer was pure Ainsley. “Then you’ll be happy to hear that the pass is finally clear of snow. I suspect Alec will appear sometime today. He’ll escort you back to Glasgow so you can pack for your visit with your relatives up north.”
“Oh, joy,” Ainsley said dryly. “So, I take it that Graeme continues to improve?”
“Yes. He’s still as weak as a half-drowned cat, but his fever is gone and he seems to be getting his appetite back.”
“That’s a relief. Things were quite tricky for a few days, weren’t they?”
“They certainly were.” Graeme’s cold had developed into a high fever. Combined with the broken leg, he’d been sick enough for Victoria to become truly alarmed. For three days and nights, she, Ainsley, and Nicholas had nursed him in shifts, while Royal and Taffy looked after the rest of the household.
“Did you tell Arnprior the good news?” Ainsley asked.
“He was there last night when Graeme’s fever broke and stayed with him until early this morning.”
Victoria had been almost as worried for Nicholas, who’d been terrified that his brother might die. There were few words of comfort she could offer to a man who already knew how random and cruel life could be. But when it was clear that Graeme was finally out of danger, Nicholas had pulled her into his arms, holding on to her as if he’d never let go. They’d clung to each other for a few minutes, letting their bodies speak to their emotions, before he’d briskly ordered her to get some rest. She’d been so tired, she hadn’t argued.
She and Nick had hardly spoken since they got back to Kinglas, and certainly not about their personal troubles. Their focus had been on taking care of Graeme and keeping the household from falling apart. Now everything rose before them again, unresolved.
“Do you want me to sit with Graeme?” Ainsley asked.
“Taffy just brought him some tea and toast, and one of the footmen is sitting with him for now.”
Ainsley linked her arm with Victoria’s. “Then let’s get you some breakfast. I’m afraid you also look like a half-drowned cat.”
Victoria smiled. “That bad?”
“Worse, not that Arnprior will mind. You could show up in a grain sack, and he’d still make sheep’s eyes at you.”
When Victoria threw her a speaking glance, Ainsley laughed. “So what are you going to do about his lordship? He’s clearly mad about you, even with your checkered past.”
“I truly don’t know. There are so many unresolved issues, and we haven’t had a chance to really talk.”
“You have the chance now. And I suggest you get on it, before . . .”
“Before someone shows up to arrest me?” Victoria finished wryly.
