The Duke Who Loved Me

by Rachelle Stevensen

  She smiled again. “I will watch over her. She never made a sound when we got her in the tub. This makes me wonder if this is not the first time, she has had struggles such as these. Did Rose tell you about her leg and how swollen it is? I will keep an eye on that as well. Why don’t you go eat some supper, and I will try to rouse her to eat too?”

  Aidan looked at her again, “All right, I will take Rose and Lily with me.”

  His mother just shooed him out of the room and he held his elbows out to his sister’s and they walked down to dinner.

  After eating a delicious meal, Aidan had to check one last time on the girl, so he walked to her room and knocked.

  His mother answered with a small smile on her face, “I was able to wake her for a bit. She told me her name, but she was quite disoriented, talking about the man who found her, how handsome the angel was. How she must surely be dead. I had to reassure her she was alive, and that she was saved by a man, not an angel. It is a common thing to have episodes like this, I will make sure to be vigilant. I am pleased to say she ate a few swallows of broth and went back to sleep.”

  The girl moaned in her sleep and Aidan and his mother both walked to where she lay.

  His mother put a hand on her head and sighed. “Go get some sleep Aidan, I will send for you if I need you.”

  Aidan nodded and left the room. He walked toward his room, and as he got closer, he noticed Koryn standing there.

  “What are you doing in this wing? Is there something you need?” He asked, trying to keep the biting notes out of his voice.

  Koryn looked down her nose at him. “Just trying to see what all the commotion is about. We have heard so much noise from this end of the house. Too much. Really. People are trying to have a quiet moment after their long journey here. We need to have peace and quiet. Katarina has a headache and all this racket does not help her in the least. We are planning the rest of the ball and that takes a lot out of her. We need everything to be perfect. Especially when everyone arrives. And noise like this is unacceptable. This is not what I want people to hear when my guests arrive. They deserve only the best here.” Her voice was biting and rude.

  Aidan sighed inwardly. “I apologize if we have disturbed your moment of peace. We had a small bit of trouble, but we shall try to keep it down. I do not think your guests will be disturbed when they arrive, but be certain to tell my mother about any problems or occurrences you may think of. Please convey my apologies to Katarina.”

  Koryn sniffed and turned away. “See that you keep it down. We need everything to look its best, and for your family to not give any of them any problems. We have too much riding on this week. Katarina needs her beauty sleep.”

  And with that, she walked away and left Aidan standing in the hallway, pinching the bridge of his nose, wondering why they had come in the first place. Hating them more with each day that passed.

  Aidan was jolted awake again for the second time in as many days, but this time wasn’t from a nightmare, it was from a hand touching his bare shoulder.

  He sat bolt upright, and then sighed when he saw Lily standing there. “Lily, what is wrong?” He rasped, his voice husky from sleep.

  “Mother said to come get you at once, Rhiannon has a terrible fever.”

  He went to scramble out of bed, and remembered at the last moment that he usually only slept in his small clothes and he didn’t want Lily to see him practically nude.

  He said, “I will get some clothes on, and be right there.” Lily nodded and ran out the door, shutting it behind her.

  He jumped out of bed, and quickly put on the clothes he had taken off earlier, and ran down the hall to Rhiannon’s room. He hated knowing she was sick. And it worried him. A lot. Sickness like she had was hard to get over, but he prayed that she would pull through.

  She was thrashing on the bed, her face flushed and sweaty from the fever.

  His mother was there, trying to hold a cloth to her head. She was shushing Rhiannon like a babe, and holding her head gently. It was hard to do, but his mother kept comforting her.

  Rhiannon was mumbling, calling out in her fever sleep. “No, mother, please. Please live mother. Father, help me!”

  It made Aidan’s heartbreak hearing these confessions and her thoughts when she was stuck in her fevered state. Then, she said, “Please don’t take my leg. Don’t take my leg.”

  Aidan grimaced. This poor girl had gone through so much in her life, it seemed, a lot like himself. And it was one more thing he wanted to know about her. To know about her hardships.

  “Julia, help! Julia please, please help me. Julia.” She said again. She whimpered out the name again and again. Julia must have been someone important. He wanted to find this woman. If for nothing else to help her recover.

  He got another cloth, put it in a basin of cold water and wrung the excess water from it. He handed it to his mother and she replaced the one she had with the new one.

  “We need to see if she will drink this medicine, I had Ida prepare for her. It should bring her fever down.”

  Aidan nodded, “What should I do?”

  She gestured to Rhiannon, now shivering in her arms. “You come and hold onto her, she is switching from hot to cold so fast, it is not good for her. We need to get this medicine in her. Come hold her Aidan. I will get her medicine.”

  Aidan climbed onto the bed, and pulled Rhiannon into his arms. She was flushed, but her body was wracked with shivers, much like the ones she had had when he first met her.

  “Shush little one. We have you. You are going to get well...” He crooned to her, and knew that he did have her. Would always have her.

  She whimpered in his arms, shivering and cold, and Aidan held on tight. His mother came to him, “Turn her towards me. Let me see if we can drip some of this into her mouth. We need to get her to drink as much as we can.”

  Aidan did as he was directed and held her so her mouth was where his mother could give her the medicine. He helped his mother opened her mouth a little and watched her struggle to swallow. It was hard work, trying to get her to swallow.

  His mother was patient with her, slowly spooning it into Rhiannon’s mouth and even though some dribbled out, they were able to give her quite a bit.

  Rhiannon had settled while Aidan held her and his mother said, “Hold onto her for a little longer, I am afraid we still aren’t out of the woods yet.”

  Rhia calmed when she was in his arms. He also felt better holding her, and at one point she pushed her face into his neck, not realizing what she was doing, but needing his comfort just the same. He needed it too. Loved holding her in his arms, but hating how sick she was.

  But, as his mother pointed out, no matter how much he held her, the fever and sickness still raged. And Lydia's words proved prophetic. They had to have a bath brought in, and he had to wait in the hall, while his mother and sisters tried to get her fever under control.

  Aidan almost ran in the room when he heard an ear-shattering scream and hearing her pain made his heart ache. Made him wish he could take it from her. He had to hold himself back when he heard her whimpers.

  He heard water splashing, and his mother saying, “Be careful Rose, keep her head out of the water, we just need to try to cool her fever. Just a few more minutes.”

  Standing on the other side of that door, while he knew she was suffering, was the hardest moment of the week. He wanted nothing more than to be in that room, holding her, letting her know he was there, but his thoughts were getting ridiculous.

  He didn’t know her, and it would be majorly inappropriate if he went in her room while she was in the bath, but all he wanted was to break her door down. He couldn’t stand listening to her screams and whimpers. Hated her pain.

  When he was finally allowed back in the room, he took a beeline to Rhiannon’s bed and uncaring of his family in the room, he scooped her in his arms and held her tightly. Rocking her gently on his lap in her bed.

  This pull he felt toward her was beyond insane
for him. He wanted to hold her and protect her from any harm and take away her suffering. Wanted to keep her protected from the outside world.

  He very carefully laid her on the bed and brushed the hair out of her face. This girl held all his attention and didn't let it go. He still had no idea why, but he didn't question it either. Couldn’t. Not anymore. She was something to him, and he would figure out the reason when she was better. It was the only solution.

  He just let what he felt grow. It might break him in the end, but for now, he was savoring the sensation. One sided as it may be. Someday soon she would awaken and he could finally have the answers he sought.

  Aidan, Lily, Rose and Lydia all battled through the night, the next day and one more endless night.

  They knew it was difficult, trying to balance taking care of Rhia, and getting their house ready for the guests that would arrive soon, as well as the large ball that Katarina was holding.

  Aidan was exhausted from running back and forth. Seeing to Rhia, who was slowly improving, was his main priority. And he cared less and less what Katarina and Koryn wanted, that he slept hardly at all. Those didn’t matter. Only she did.

  She slept harder and thrashed about less. And it felt like her fever wasn't as high. Thank the Lord above. Aidan was beyond grateful for that small mercy. He just wanted her to get well.

  They had to take care of Koryn and Katarina. Those two women demanded and expected a lot. Their demands were endless, and unachievable. He just wanted them gone. Wanted to not hear their voices, and their constant whining. He prayed for patience.

  Lily suggested that they order a gown for Rhia, because Lydia knew that Rhiannon would not fully be recovered by the time the ball came, not after knowing how sick she was, but it was hoped for.

  They did what they thought was best for her, by ordering the gown and they also ordered her an entire new wardrobe, at Aidan’s behest, because she had brought so little with her.

  Aidan loved being in the room with Rhia, because there was something about the woman he found in the storm, that stirred his blood and made his heart beat faster. He loved his stolen time with her.

  He knew she had to be someone important, he just didn’t know why. She had woken a few times, but was always delirious, and didn’t really understand where she was, or who they were.

  Aidan understood that, and he longed for the day when she was awake and coherent. He wanted to know all there was to know about this girl. Every single thing he could find out, he wanted to know.

  Cole returned home, and immediately helped out where he could. With Rhia, with the ball, Katarina, everything. Cole made it much easier for everyone. And once again, Aidan was beyond grateful to his brother for always jumping in when they needed help.

  As the day of the ball drew nearer, Katarina and her mother grew more and more demanding. Needing more of everyone's time and attention. Aidan was already sick of it, and they had been here for such a short time. Even Rhiannon, as sick and hurt as she was, was less demanding on everyone’s time than they were.

  They never had a moments peace from them. The only time they weren’t bothered is when they cared for Rhiannon. Other than that, their chores were neglected and they had to constantly help Koryn and Katarina. Nothing was ever good enough, and Aidan hated every single thing about the ball.

  By the time Rhiannon’s fever broke, they were exhausted from the long week.

  They were all in her room when the fever broke. They needed a reprieve from the events of the last few days, so here they sat. Watching, waiting and praying that she would live.

  Aidan especially. He knew deep in his soul this woman, though he knew hardly anything about her, was it for him. He was falling in love with her and he had barely heard her speak. He kept his thoughts to himself, because he knew they were insane, but he longed to speak with someone about it. Anyone.

  When her fever broke, her flushed skin still held the sickness, the sweat beading on her forehead. Her hair clung to her scalp and she breathed shallowly.

  But for the first time since her fever had started, she lay still and acquiescent and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. He thanked the God above for sparing her life, and prayed that she was his gift for all the years of hell that he went through. She had to be. He knew it.

  The girls went to their beds after a quick dinner, and his mother did as well. He knew they were all exhausted, as he was also. But he couldn’t leave. Not yet. Not when she was on the mend. Cole stayed a bit longer, but finally gave into his exhaustion and left as well. They knew she was in good hands with Aidan there.

  Aidan finally pulled a chair next to her bed, and after a moment, he gently pushed her sweaty hair off her forehead. He memorized her features as she slept.

  She was so lovely, sweaty and sick as she was, and Aidan longed to know more about her. Wished and prayed for it every day that had passed. He wanted to hear her voice, to know her story. He felt as though she was someone precious to care for and adore.

  He knew deep in his belly that this woman would end up turning his entire world upside down. She already had. Had made him see the world in color, and not just shades of black and grey.

  He stroked her face softly, gently, not quite knowing why, but he had to touch her. Had to feel her silky skin under his fingertips. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it ever so slightly and breathed in her scent.

  “Sleep well, beautiful Rhia. I am here to watch over you. I will let nothing harm you.” And with that, sat back in the chair, and finally let his eyelids drop shut. Holding her hand in his. Needing the connection with her. Knowing that when she awoke, he would be here and that was what was needed.

  Chapter Seven

  Rhiannon

  Northumberland, England Sept 1812

  Rhiannon woke in a daze. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up at the canopy above her head.

  She smiled and thought, “Oh, I’m in a nice soft bed, what a dream.” Then she started. Her room had never had a bed with a canopy like that.

  She lifted her head off the bed and looked around the room slowly, her head spinning ever so slightly, trying to remember where she was, and how in the world she got there.

  Nothing looked familiar. Not in the least. Rhia’s breathing started to pick up, she didn’t like this, knowing nothing of where she was, or how she got there. She looked around the room, still trying to place where she was.

  When she looked to her right, there was a huge man in a rather small chair, looking completely uncomfortable, and sleeping next to her bed.

  She frowned, confused. She had never seen the man before in her life, why was he there? What happened that made her be here?

  She tried to sit up, and felt weak as a newborn kitten. It was difficult to even lift her head, let alone her entire upper body. Her head spun, and she felt horrid. When she put her hand down on the bed to help her sit up, something pulled, and it hurt, rather badly.

  Crying out, she looked down and saw a bandage covering her hand. Her thoughts raced, and she put a hand to her head, trying to piece together what she could. After a moment, it mostly came back to her.

  She had been walking to Scotland, since the people of the village said that someone had cursed the road or something or other, she had gotten mad, and because of that made the decision to walk the rest of the way to Scotland herself.

  She had known that she couldn’t stay in that village, hadn’t the funds to waste, so she had left. Even knowing the walk would be a long one, and one she wouldn’t do well with.

  Rhia thought back of how she had walked for hours until it started raining. Of how she had cut her hand open when she fell, one of the multiple times she had that day.

  How long has that been? Why did she feel so awful? And where was she now? She vaguely remembered being found, and the man putting her on a horse, and then nothing.

  She had no idea where she was, or how long she had been there. She didn’t think it had been more than a day, but not knowing anything sc
ared her. Looking again at the man sleeping next to her, she took some time to study him.

  He was large, probably one of the biggest men she had ever seen, and he was seated. His head tilted at an odd angle on his neck. It looked uncomfortable, to say the least. He would have a crick in his neck when he woke.

  He had long dark brown hair that hung down over his face, and dark eyebrows that slashed over his eyes. From the one that wasn’t covered by his hair.

  His hair looked like it was the color of chocolate or coffee. She rather liked it. Her fingers itched to reach out and touch his hair. And she didn’t know where that thought had come from. She wasn’t one to notice men, nor did she think of caressing them, didn’t notice their features, but here she was studying this man.

  She thought he was rather handsome. He had short beard on his face, like he hadn't had the chance to shave this morning, or the last few mornings. But she liked it. His nose was straight, although it looked like it had maybe been broken once as he had a bump on the bridge. Rhia’s nose wrinkled, not liking the pain he must have gone through when he had broken it.

  When she looked over the rest of his face, Rhia had to stifle a gasp behind her hand. He had several scars that covered the left side of his face on his cheek, and forehead and a long one that ran down the center of his face. It looked horrible. Painful and harsh, the line stark on his skin. Still pink, like it was healing still. She could only imagine the pain he must have gone through when he received his horrible scars.

  The biggest one stretched from his temple, down across his face, through his eyebrow covering his nose and ending on his opposite cheek just beyond his bottom lip. It hit rather close to his eye, seeing the scar through his eyebrow, and Rhiannon thought he was lucky it didn’t hit his eye. He had been very lucky indeed. She hated seeing these marks on him, didn’t like the idea of him being in pain. Rhia’s heart went out to the man. It would have been terrible. This man had seen and had horrific things done to him.