Besotted (The Fairest Maidens #3) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,30
Make haste.”
Jorg hesitated, glancing at Aunt Idony as if needing permission from her.
She nodded, her face reflecting weariness and age. “You may cover the wound for a short while.”
Jorg draped a blanket over me. After he finished and Aunt Idony opened the door to leave, Chester was the only one I could see. Rory was no longer there.
“I’m entirely modest and decent,” I called, hoping she could hear me wherever she was. “And am in desperate need of visitors.”
Chester peeked in, scowling at me, his hand moving to the knife sheathed at his belt. It was clear he didn’t want me in the cottage now any more than he had the eve I’d arrived. Jorg stepped between us, his fingers tight against his knife handle as well.
Aunt Idony whispered to Chester. He stepped stiffly aside, and a moment later, Rory appeared in the doorway. The morning sunshine streaming through the bedchamber window seemed to alight on her, giving her an ethereal glow. She wore a plain peasant skirt and tunic, and her fair hair hung in a simple braid over her shoulder, with loose tendrils framing her face. Even so simply attired, she was more beautiful than a dozen noblewomen wearing their fanciest gowns and jewels.
My breath stuck in my chest, and my heart refused to beat. All I could do was stare.
She anxiously examined me, as though attempting to judge the extent of my injuries. And I was relieved for Aunt Idony’s prudence in sheltering Rory from seeing the wound. If it looked anything like it felt, I had no doubt the sight of it would turn her stomach.
“How are you faring today?” She started across the room toward me.
“Better now that you’re here.” It was the kind of flattery I’d wielded many times with other women, but with Rory it was actually true.
I thought I heard Chester snort from the doorway.
“Tell me the truth. How is your wound?” She stopped at the edge of the bed and lowered herself to a crouch so she was more at my level.
“Truly. Your presence is the medicine I’ve needed.”
Another snort, this one more distinct, came from Chester’s direction.
Rory cast him a brittle look. “You may close the door.”
“Absolutely not. The door stays open, and I stay right here.”
“Kresten’s companion will act as our chaperone.”
“And I will too.”
Rory and Chester locked glares. Perhaps Aunt Idony would need to intervene again.
Thankfully, Jorg broke the tension. “Here, you’ll be more comfortable sitting.” He placed his stool next to Rory and motioned to it.
“Thank you for your kindness.” She took her place on it, arranging her frayed skirt over her feet, but not before I saw her toes. She was barefoot again. “And thank you for bringing Kresten here. Aunt Idony says in doing so, you saved his life.”
Jorg bowed his head slightly. “I’m grateful your aunt is willing to assist him. She’s very skilled.”
“Yes, she is quite gifted in the healing arts.”
Aunt Idony had implied that Rory’s visit must be kept short, and I wanted to make the most of every second with her. So when Jorg opened his mouth to continue the conversation, I spoke first. “I regret that I’m displacing you from your chamber.”
“Think nothing of it.” She folded her hands in her lap and studied them. “I am bedding down with my aunts in the dormer room above.”
“We shall not stay long—”
“But I heard Aunt Idony say you must rest for at least a fortnight, that you will tear your wound open if you attempt to walk before that.”
“Then you will not object to my presence?”
Her gaze flew to mine, and I found myself captivated by her endless violet-blue eyes. Though I couldn’t deny I wanted to spend the next two weeks with her as much as her family would allow, I also didn’t want my presence to be a burden. Especially after the way we’d parted when she said we must go our separate ways and never see each other again.
She cast a glance toward the door, then lowered her voice. “I admit I am glad to see you once more.”
“I admit to the same.”
A flush rose into her cheeks the same way it had oft during our dance lessons. “Are you in much pain?”
“’Tis growing more tolerable by the day.”
She looked first at Jorg and then Chester before biting her lower lip as though she wanted to say something but didn’t want our audience to hear. As a prince, I was accustomed to having people around me at all