AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Thirty-Eight
And now let’s go hand in hand, not one beforeanother.
—Shakespeare,The Comedy of Errors
Nan tied offthe linen that wrapped Catherine’s chest, then stood, tidying her apron, her wrinkled face folding in on itself with concern.
“I don’t think any of them are broken, but you might have a crack.” She smoothed a hand over Catherine’s forehead. “Your breathing is much improved now that you’re bound, so I think it is more than bruising. You must keep it bandaged for some time. Breathe deeply when you can, love. I don’t rightly understand why, but it helps the healing.”
She leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, then straightened. “Well, off to attend the other patient.”
“Let the rotter die from shot poisoning,” Nicholas said.
“Nicholas!” Catherine said at the same time Nan gasped, “Master Nick!”
Nan shuffled toward the door, stopping in front of Nicholas, who stood, arms folded over his chest—a sentinel to all who dared cross the threshold of the room.
She reached up and cupped his cheek. “She will be fine, my lord. Despite her pain, I’m glad she was there to stop something you may have regretted.”
He placed his hand on her old, worn one. “My only regret is that the man still lives.”
Nan patted his cheek. “We shall see, Master Nick. We shall see.”
Nan pulled the door firmly closed behind her, and Nicholas’s full attention turned to Catherine. He unfolded his arms and strode across the room.
“Are you in much pain?” His forehead creased with care.
“It’s much better now that Nan has me bound.” She took a deep breath as Nan had instructed. It was true. The pain had lessened to a tolerable ache in her chest.
“Good.”
He grabbed a chair and pulled it to her bedside. His bedside. Nicholas had insisted she rest in his chambers. He’d been urging her to move into his room but had spent the nights in hers, so she had felt no need. His chamber was dark and lush, a masculine environment. Oddly, it made her feel warm and safe. Until she looked at his face.
“Why were you there?” His jaw tensed, his lips compressed. He was fighting anger. Well, it was his own bloody fault, and she told him as much.
“My fault?” His voice was low, almost inaudible. A bellow would have been better than this restrained response.
Still, she persevered. “Yes, your fault. You were willing to cut me out. To dismiss me from being a member of this family.”
His face flushed. “I did not cast you from the family and well you know it.” He took her hand in his, placing the other on her cheek. His eyes shone sapphire, staring into her soul. “I have spent the better part of my life, and I mean better, dreaming of you, wanting you, loving you. You are part of my family.” He paused, his eyes shimmering in the candlelight. “That is a lie.”
She caught her breath, then coughed at the discomfort. His hand caressed a path down her cheek until he was holding her chin gently between his thumb and forefinger.
“You are not a part of my family. Youaremy family.”
Tears stung as she gulped for air, pain racing through her chest.
“Oh, my love, I didn’t mean to cause you further distress.” He let go of her chin and ran his hand through his hair. “What can I do to help?”
She reached up and linked her hands behind his neck, pulling him down so they were cheek to cheek. She longed to kiss him, but she could not. She could barely breathe with the emotion rattling her body. Instead, she held him close and murmured soft words of love until they both calmed.
Nicholas broke the connection, his eyes darkened with regret. He brushed stray locks from her face. “I fear it is time to go put an end to this.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
She pushed up on an elbow, wincing as pain lacerated her chest. She took a steadying breath. “I will attend.”
His brow furrowed, his lips tensed into a straight line. “No.”
“Yes.” She cut him off before he could ignite another fire. “Family, remember?”
He remained pensive, but his lips tilted just the tiniest amount at the edges, and she knew she had won.
“Help me get into a clean gown, would you?” Gingerly, she shifted across the bed, letting her feet dangle.
He looked at her, naked except for the bandaging. He’d even drawn off her soaked stockings while Nan had bound her chest. “I far prefer helping you from them.”
She stared up at him, heat warming her face. “Well, that may be, but there are more important matters to attend to.”
He sobered quickly. “Let’s get it done.”
