Page 52 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

She could have died because I brought her here.

“Ahem.” Avery cleared his throat, disturbing the quiet in the room. “I can tell I dinnae wish tae be here fer this conversation.” He reached for his sister’s shoulder and patted it comfortingly before turning his back and moving to the door. He offered Murdoch a small smile, a surprise after all the glares Murdoch had had from him over the last couple of days.

As the door closed behind Avery, Murdoch moved to the bed.

“How are ye feeling?”

“Tired.” She yawned and placed an empty cup down on the table beside her. “I wish tae bathe, though I am under instruction from Callie I am nae permitted tae leave this bed.” She huffed and dropped back on the pillows, folding her arms. “Can I at least have a bath?”

“I can arrange for one for ye, aye.” He sat down on the bed beside her. “Some people would be delighted tae spend a day in bed.”

“Well, I am nae one of them.” She shook her head firmly. “I dinnae wish tae be idle when I feel fine.”

“Fine?” he spluttered. “Do ye nae remember last night? Ye were quite out of it when ye woke in the middle of the night.” He stared at her, wondering if she could remember how close they had been together and the way they had indulged in a kiss, even though there was no one there to see them. “I find it hard tae believe ye could be completely better so fast.”

“I am nae saying I am completely better.”

She didnae mention the kiss. Maybe she doesnae remember it.

“All I am saying is that I dinnae see much good coming from being in bed all day.” She wriggled on the covers. “Can ye talk tae Callie? Get me out of this.”

“Nay chance.” He shook his head. “I shall follow the healer’s orders.”

“Infuriating man,” she muttered with a playful glare.

“I am still the one that ran with ye here yesterday,” he reminded her, arching a single brow.

“I didnae say I wasnae grateful.” Her expression softened into a smile. There was something in that expression that pleased him so much, he couldn’t deny her completely.

“How about this? If ye bathe and rest today, I shall ask Callie if she will allow ye tae have a short walk tomorrow.”

“Aye, please dae.” Eloise sat forward on the bed, looking so excited by such a simple prospect that he smiled. “Bring a book and we can walk in the garden. I could teach ye tae read, if ye like.”

“Read?” He’d quite forgotten their promises to one another amongst all the turmoil, but plainly, Eloise hadn’t, for she nodded keenly. “Aye, if ye wish it. I shall make the arrangements.”

She smiled fully and sat back on the pillows once again. Murdoch stared at her for some minutes, not knowing what to say, but just content to be beside her and to know that she was out of danger.

Eloise hobbled down the pathway of the garden. Wrapped up in furs to fight the cold of the day, her hands were tempted to shiver in their gloves, though she tucked them under her arms to hide it.

“Ye are watching me like a hawk,” she observed, glancing at Murdoch beside her.

“Aye, I am.” He smiled and stood taller. “If ye show the slightest bit of tiredness, I will take ye back at once.”

“Ye’re nay fun.”

“I’m here tae protect ye, nae tae amuse ye.” His voice deepened so far that Eloise glanced toward him, shocked at that depth.

After another day of her imposed imprisonment in the bed, she was tired of doing nothing and thankful that she was at least allowed out this afternoon to walk through the dewy grounds. Early signs of spring were everywhere, with crocus and snowdrop heads pushing the ground in the borders of the garden. Eloise limped past them all, heading for a bench set between two tall yew bushes. Sitting down heavily, she sighed, wrapping her furs tightly around her body again.

“There. If I am sitting, then ye have nae reason tae take me back inside.”

“Then dinnae let yerself shiver or I will find a reason tae carry ye back.” He sat down beside her.

“Ye’d carry me again?” Her eyes shot toward him as an excitement took over. There was something about the idea of being carried by him again that did things to her. It conjured a heat to counteract the cold air.

“Perhaps.” He smiled a little and reached into the thick, loose doublet he wore, pulling out a book. He handed it to her. “As ye requested, a book.”

“Thank ye.” She opened the book up and leaned toward him, determined to impart her lesson. “Now, have ye been taught anything about letters?”