“Not until you truly recognize my husband as your son,” Sorrell said and went to the window and threw open the curtain, sending a glorious stream of light into the room.
“Close that!” Finn shouted at her, holding his hand up to shade his eyes.
“No,” Sorrell said and walked to stand at the end of the bed, her hands on her hips.
“The light is no good for my illness. Now close it,” Finn ordered.
“Who told you such nonsense?”
“My healer who knows more than you.”
“She can’t be much of a healer if she thinks light will bring you harm. Light can’t be harmful if the plants, the trees, the animals look to it for growth and strength.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” he snapped.
“I know, but I’m giving it anyway,” she said, then sniffed the air and scrunched her face. “When was the last time you bathed?” He went to speak and Sorrell held up her hand, stopping him. “Don’t tell me, the healer says bathing is no good for your illness.”
“Be gone with you or I’ll have you removed,” Finn commanded.
Sorrell ignored him and walked around to the side of the bed, picking up the near empty tankard and wrinkled her nose. “This is godawful. How can you drink it?”
Finn dropped his head back on the pillow, his strength fading. “It keeps the pain away for a while at least.”
“Ruddock has your eyes,” Sorrell said, amazed at how identical they were. It was like looking in Ruddock’s eyes.
“Don’t think to play games with me. I never lose,” Finn warned.
“I don’t play games,” Sorrell said, “but if I did you would taste defeat.”
“Is that a challenge?” he demanded, determination sparking in his eyes.
“You feel up to it?”
“My body may betray me, but my mind is as sharp as ever,” Finn said, his chin jutting out stubbornly.
Sorrell was quick to dispute him. “That’s not true. A man who is sharp in wit would never let himself stink as badly as you do and blame it on the healer.”
“I blame no one and you better learn to watch that tongue of yours, lassie,” Finn threatened.
Sorrell paid no heed to his threat, her mind too busy with memories of her da that rose up to taunt her and tears sprung up to glisten her eyes.
“Don’t think tears will do you any good with me,” Finn warned.
Memories she tried so hard to keep locked away suddenly broke free and rose up to torment her. Her legs grew weak, no longer able to support her and she hurried to sit in the chair beside the bed.
The words seemed to rush from her mouth as if by doing so she would rid herself of the painful memories.
“My da took ill.” She shook her head and rubbed at her chest, trying to ease the ache in her heart. “We all realized too late that his mind had betrayed him. One moment he was the da I remembered, strong and loving, and the next…” Sorrell wiped at a tear that trickled down her cheek. “He was a good father and I loved him dearly, and I miss him to this day.” She reached her hand out to rest on Finn’s arm and though she felt it tense beneath her, she didn’t pull away. “Your son is a good man, talk with him before it’s too late.”
She stood and grabbed the tankard of the godawful brew. “I will see that a bath is prepared for you.”
“That’s my decision, lassie. You don’t tell me what to do,” Finn said with a snappish tongue as Sorrell walked to the door.
Sorrell turned when she reached the door. “You may be a stubborn old fool, but foolish you’re not.”
She hurried off, not waiting for a response and went in search of Blodwen. She was directed to the wardrobe room, two floors above her private bedchamber.
“My lady,” Blodwen said with a bob when Sorrell entered the room.
It was filled with several chests, a small fireplace, a single bed, and had one lone window to emit light.
Blodwen continued when she saw that Sorrell glanced around. “The room is meant for your personal servant and the chests store linens and garments. I came to fetch some garments that could be stitched to fit you. I have a fine hand with a needle.”
“This is your room then?” Sorrell asked.
Blodwen’s face registered surprise. “If you’ll have me as your servant, though truth be told most believed I would not last the day with you.”
Sorrell smiled. “More fools them, since I declare you my personal servant, making this room yours.”
A tear tickled at the corner of Blodwen’s one eye. “I am so very grateful, my lady. There are not many who want me around.”
“I want you around. I believe you will be of great help to me.”
“Anything, my lady, I would do anything for you,” Blodwen said, nodding her head and confirming her words.