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“I’ll do it.” Manning winced as he touched his side. “It shouldn’t take long.”
“And refill his washbasin with fresh water, along with some cloths,” Victoria added. “We’re going to need to cool him down.”
The bed was going to be wet from the sweat. Victoria could imagine that it wasn’t very comfortable.
Blackmore seemed to be calming somewhat. It was like her touch was soothing to him. Victoria rested her palm on his chest, feeling his heart race. His skin was just as cool. Now he was beginning to shiver. She never thought she would see something like this from him, and it was worrying.
“Blackmore?”
Blackmore didn’t seem to respond. Victoria brushed her other hand over his forehead.
“Rafe? Rafe, can you hear me?”
He twitched. Had he just heard her? It looked like it. Victoria kept stroking his forehead, and, to her surprise, this seemed to soothe him. Blackmore’s shaking decreased, and his breathing became less laboured. His body relaxed, and Victoria could feel his heart slowing to a normal pace. She glanced up at Mayfield, who looked slightly bewildered.
“I’ve not seen him calm down like this before.” He eased the pressure on Blackmore’s shoulders and straightened up. “Normally, it takes far longer to stop him from hurting anyone.”
“And you say these happen a lot?”
“More than he wants to admit. Previously, somehow, he has had a quiet night, but not now.” Mayfield shook his head. “I wish I knew there was something we could do to stop these from happening. It makes me feel helpless seeing him like this. He’s normally so strong, so to witness this….”
Victoria believed him. The pain in Mayfield’s expression was real. He really cared about Blackmore. She looked down at her husband. He seemed to be far more relaxed, his body loosening more until he was limp on the bed. Victoria watched as he slipped back into sleep.
“Mr Mayfield?” Manning was back at the end of the bed. “I’ve gotten the fire laid. Do you still want me to light it?”
“That’s up to Lady Blackmore.” Mayfield gestured at Victoria. “She’s the one in charge if Blackmore is indisposed.”
Victoria liked the sound of that. She nodded.
“Light it, Manning. He’s still rather cool.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Manning moved back to the fireplace while Mayfield rolled his shoulders.
“I suppose that means another sleepless night for me,” he sighed.
“You’re going to stay in here?”
“Someone needs to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t hurt himself again.”
Victoria shook her head, finding herself speaking before she knew what she was saying.
“You go back to bed. I’ll stay with him.”
“You will?”
“Of course. I’m his wife, aren’t I? I should be the one to stay here and look after him.”
Mayfield was staring at her with his mouth open. Victoria fixed a stare back at him. She might not approve of this predicament she was in, but she wasn’t about to be completely cold. Not when Blackmore was in so much pain. Finally, Mayfield sighed and held up his hands.
“All right. I’ll leave you to it. Just don’t smother him during the night.”
“Would I do that, Mr Mayfield?”
“You don’t want me to answer the question.”
“You’d better leave before you do so.”
