“How is he?” he demanded.
She swept her hand toward the bed. “See for yerself. He was awake a few moments ago. He’s hungry.”
Morven strode past her, and she made a face at his back. When she turned around to exit, she nearly ran into Lorna. The lass had a smile on her face.
“I dinnae suppose ye’ll forget ye ever saw that,” she muttered.
Lorna's lips further twisted in amusement. “I didnae see anything he didnae deserve.”
“I’ll go tae get him something from the kitchen.”
“Should I accompany ye?”
“Nay,” Jane shook her head. “Ye can stay with him. He'd be looking forward tae seeing ye.”
Jane smoothly walked past, heading straight toward the kitchen. She took a long way, cutting through the courtyard where the other men trained. She could definitely use some air.
She had a mixed feeling that Darach was getting better. It was a good thing, and it meant he'd be back on his feet soon. But, it also meant their time together was coming to an end, and she was going to miss spending most of her days with him. She was also going to miss the stolen kisses.
When she arrived at the kitchen, the housekeeper was barking instructions to the other kitchen maids. Jane knew well that the woman had no love lost for her since the moment she came into the keep, so she approached her carefully, a question burning her tongue that she let out with her most serious voice. Yet, she sounded like a scared kitten.
“Can I have a trencher of the best things ye’ve got left?”
The housekeeper turned around, her nose flaring. “Now, I dinnae care if ye are royalty, lass. I warned ye the first day tae take yer meal on time.”
Jane was not phased and felt determination fill her core. She folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow at the woman, sensing a fire igniting deep inside.
“‘Tis for the laird, nae myself. He’s woken up from his slumber.”
A look of relief crossed the housekeeper’s features quickly as she turned around and ordered some girls to fill up a trencher without another word.
As Jane returned to the chamber, the tray of food clenched tightly in her hands, she decided to stay with Darach for nowand enjoy the time she could still spend in his arms, hoping that something good would come of it.
She opened the door as his brother and sister were leaving. Jane smiled as she walked around them, not bothering to look at Morven as she entered with the trencher in one hand and a goblet in the other. Darach stared at her flushed face with a smile.
Yes, he looked better.
“I have broth and some ale. I asked for water, but the healer insisted that a sturdy man should drink ale if he wants tae regain his strength.”
“Ah,” his lips curled in a teasing smile. “I'd think ye dinnae share her belief that a good stout ale will cure damn near anything?”
“Of course. I think ‘tis ridiculous.” Jane wrinkled her nose but didn’t respond to Darach's chuckle.
“Can ye sit up?”
He nodded, then gingerly pushed himself up with his elbow in the mattress. He suddenly froze. His face twisted in pain, and his breath hitched.
Jane gaspedin alarm and dashed to his side. She wrapped her arms around him for support. His wheezing stopped, and he drew in steadying breaths as he leaned into her. Jane grabbed a few pillows and arranged them behind him before easing him back until he was propped against the wall.
“Slowly, my laird. I ken it hurts.”
He lay there panting, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. Jane moved to grab the trencher. He opened his mouth in protest, but she was back before he could say anything. She gave him the goblet and then slid onto the bed beside him, her curvy body nestling against his side.
“Sip slowly until yer stomach is settled,” she murmured.
He followed her advice and took wary sips of the strong brew. After a few swallows, he grimaced and set the goblet away.
“I think ye had the right of it, Jane. I think plain water would be easier on my stomach. ‘Tis the truth the ale seems tae sour it all the more.”