Both ladies hiked up their dresses and sat with their legs crisscrossed on the end of the bed.
“Mom’s right. You’re looking much better. What did you think that first night I came and stuck that needle in your rear end?” Bri laughed and patted me lightly on the knee.
“I dinna know what ye were doing, but I was far too ill to care. Truthfully, I doona remember much of these past months. Only the past few weeks are clear to me.”
Adelle fidgeted, and I could tell she had something she really wanted to say but dinna know if she should.
“What is it, Adelle? Please doona be like Mary and speak to me like I might die from real conversation.”
Adelle laughed and stopped bouncing the bed with her jittery movements. “Fine. What have you decided about Baodan? You do remember your father speaking to you about him, right?”
I did remember, but hadna thought of it at all. “Aye, I do remember, but he has no mentioned it again, and Baodan has never spoken of it. I know he’s come to sit with me each evening the past few nights, but he doesna speak much of anything, and I’m no so keen to bring up his proposal.”
Bri spoke this time. “Is that all you remember of your time with Baodan? Only the last few days?”
“Aye, is there more that I should remember? If there is, I am lost to it. The fever made everything a dream.”
Bri stood and went to shut the door to my bedchamber so that we could go on with our conversation undisturbed. “Yes, but I’m not surprised that you don’t remember it. Baodan has been at your side every day. When you were at your worst, it was he that swapped your bloodied rags and lifted you so that we could clean you and change your bedding. He wiped your cheeks with a wet cloth and brushed the hair out of your face, only leaving you when we instructed him that he must. It’s only been since you’ve been more yourself that he’s lessened his visits.”
’Twas surprising to me that he’d done so, and I dinna understand his reasons. “Does he feel that much guilt over what happened, do ye think? ’Twas no his fault. I jumped into the water all on me own. If he’d no been there, I would’ve died that day.”
“No, I don’t think he feels guilty at all. I think he’s quite taken with you, dear. I think perhaps I was wrong to react the way I did to your father’s news of what he’d asked him.”Adelle scrunched her face up in a childlike fashion meant to show her remorse.
“What are ye saying, Adelle? Ye believe that I should marry him? He’s no even asked me himself. Perhaps, he’s changed his mind.”
“No, I’m not saying you should say yes. But just get to know him. See if anything is there. And I don’t think he’s changed his mind. I heard him asking Mary earlier if he could take you somewhere away from the castle tomorrow because he had something that he needed to ask you. Go with him and think about whatever he says to you. I think he’s a good man. It’s rare to see someone be so attentive, and he hardly knows you yet.”
“Mom’s right. He’s been incredibly caring toward you, but Blaire, just know that you are welcome to stay here forever if you wish. Truly. Do not say yes to him because you feel that you have no other choice.” She stood and motioned to her mother to do the same. “We should go, though. I expect he will be along shortly.”
I called out to Bri hoping to speak to her alone about the one thing that had hung at the edge of me mind even in the depths of me worst fevers. “Wait, Bri. Can I speak to ye a moment alone?”
“Of course.” Bri stepped back inside, and Adelle waved at me before disappearing from the doorway. She sat down on the chair seated next to me bed and crossed her legs. “What’s up?”
I hesitated, not wanting to show how much I cared but knowing that she would know as soon as I said the words. “Arran. Did he…did he come at all while I was ill?”
I knew she would no lie to me and, as I’d hoped, she played no games as she told me right away. “No he didn’t, and he sent no letter back in response to what you sent him.”
“Is it possible that he dinna receive it? Mayhap the messenger lost it along the way.”
“No, I’m so sorry, but I spoke to the man I sent myself, and he told me that he delivered it to Arran’s hands directly. The man has no reason to lie.”
“Aye, I suppose ’tis true. Thank ye, that’s all I needed to know. If ye doona mind, I’d like to be alone now.”
Bri stood and nodded once. “Absolutely. I’ll see you in the morning. Get some rest.”
She’d only just made it to the doorway when Baodan entered, and they passed each other on the way. He smiled at me but remained at the doorway. I was thankful it seemed he would no be staying long.