Page 63 of The Piper's Pursuit

“Steffan, are you feeling all right?”

He blew out a breath. “I think I should have used some more of the healing salve this morning.”

“I thought you said you used it. You did bring it, did you not?”

“Frau Goschen made sure I brought some.”

“Thank You, God, for Frau Goschen. Do you need any help?”

“I can do it.” He was already taking out the container from his saddlebag. Without a word, he turned his back on her and drew off his shirt. Then he started smearing the salve on his chest, then his arm.

Her cheeks flamed as she took a quick look at his muscular back and shoulders before turning away. She pressed a hand to her eyes and had to suppress a giggle at her foolish reaction to him.

When had she ever giggled? She couldn’t remember.

But this was serious. What if the healing salve didn’t work?

She opened her mouth, then closed it. How could she say this without making him angry? “Perhaps you should go back to Keiterhafen now, before you get sicker.”

He started shaking his head. “I am not sick.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense, Steffan. If you go back, Frau Goschen can tend you and I can go on to Hagenheim to fetch Duke Wilhelm.”

“No. I am well enough, but I just need to remember to keep applying the salve. I shall be well in a few hours. Let us ride on.”

“In a few hours? It surely will not work that quickly. What if you become so ill you cannot ride? I shall have to stay with you until you are better, and then no one can go fetch Duke Wilhelm.”

“Do you think me a child? I will not become as sick as that.” But his eyes were red-rimmed.

“Truly, you do not look well.”

“I can make it to Hagenheim, and we have an excellent healer there, should I need one.”

Perhaps she was making too much of it. Perhaps he was well enough and she shouldn’t worry. “Since we are stopped, we may as well rest for a few moments.”

She lay down on the grass, closed her eyes, and pillowed her head on her hands. Steffan did the same. She could sense his eyes on her.

“You are very worried about me,” Steffan said.

She opened her eyes. He was smiling at her.

“I am worried you may be sick. You slowed down a lot.”

“I slowed to save the horses.”

“Your cheeks are still flushed. Do you feel feverish, as you did last evening?”

“I think I could have a fever.” His smile grew wider.

She felt her own cheeks grow hot. He was trying to lure her over there to touch his forehead again. Would he try to kiss her if she did?

Part of her was outraged that he would use a possible illness to get her to come closer. The other part made her catch her breath at the thought of him wanting to kiss her.

She pressed her hand to her own burning cheek. This was preposterous. This was not how Katerina of Hamlin behaved or thought. But would it hurt to kiss him, one innocent kiss?

A memory flashed before her eyes, of Hennek saying,You know you want me to kiss youas he bent over her.

She’d shoved him away, but she could still see his fat, slobbery lips.