The door to the annexed room burst open. A few heavy footfalls and Rory strode into the bedroom. Ailsa didn’t know why she should be surprised—after all, she was here when she had promised she’d care for Paiden.
‘I’ll be done here soon enough,’ she informed him.
He peered at Hamish on the floor. ‘What is he doing there?’
‘We’re changing his mattress. Sometimes itgets wet despite our efforts and it isn’t good for his skin.’
Rory glanced from her to Hannah and returned to Hamish.
‘He still sleeps,’ he said.
‘When I’m done, I’ll help with Paiden.’
‘I’m not here for you.’
He was here for Hamish. Why? She could read nothing from his manners now. Fully clothed, his expression impenetrable, even his hair which curled was held back. Controlled. This wasn’t the man who had been in her bed. This was a man who grieved. She shouldn’t have avoided seeing Paiden just to avoid seeing Rory.
‘Is Paiden worse?’ she asked.
‘The same.’ He pointed to Hamish. ‘Can you wake him?’
‘No,’ she replied and that was troubling. Hamish’s breath was uneven, but he wasn’t restless or curled in pain. In truth, there wasn’t much she could do other than to observe him. ‘It’s better for him to sleep. Shouldn’t you be talking with my father?’
He frowned. ‘It’s early yet and I didn’t know whether he was about.’
‘He always wakes early to break his fast, you can find him in the hall.’
‘I didn’t see him there.’
It was her turn to frown. Her father was old and set in his ways. At this time of day he was always in the hall. Something...perhaps everything, wasn’t as it should be.
Turning to Hannah, she said, ‘Who else could we call upon to help with Paiden right now?’
‘Beth, perhaps,’ Hannah replied. ‘She won’t know all what we do, but she’s dependable and can fetch water and food if necessary.’
‘Go find her and get her to Paiden’s room.’ She turned to Rory. ‘Help me get him on the fresh mattress.’
‘Won’t that wake him?’
‘He didn’t wake when they moved him to the floor and hasn’t stirred since. I doubt we could wake him now.’
Rory looked to Hannah, who scrambled around the bed to the door. ‘I’ll find Beth.’ When the door closed behind her, he said. ‘What is wrong with him?’
‘It’s a sickness I’ve seen once before. There’s no remedy for it.’
‘Is the sleeping common?’
‘It’s not uncommon.’
She lied. Rory knew it. ‘I’ll help you with him.’
‘He’s tall.’
‘But half my weight. I can move him.’
‘If you wish,’ Ailsa said without looking at him.
Rory bent and laid Hamish on the newly made bed. Carefully he arranged him, all the while the Chief of the McCrieffs remaining silent.
