She grinned up at him. “All I have to do is ask you to show me your sword?”
He laughed. “That would do, aye.” His boyish smile softened. “But you are no doubt tender.” She wrinkled her nose in protest. “So I should not.”
“Yes, you should. You really should.” Her smile faded as a thought intruded. “But not yet.”
His gaze sharpened at the change in her tone.
Dread soured her stomach. “I need you to hold my hand while I do something I don’t want to do.”
He brushed his knuckles down her cheek. “What is it, love?”
“While you were gone, I tried to help your friends. The ones who were wounded.”
His brow furrowed. “Sir Miles and Sir Winston?”
She nodded.
“Then you have my gratitude.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” she protested. “All I did was clean their wounds as well as I could, stitch those that needed to be stitched, apply some honey and antibiotic ointment and bandages, and give them both some ibuprofen. I’m worried I might have done more harm than good. I’ve never even seen injuries like that before, Robert, let alone sewed them shut. What if I didn’t do it right? Or what if I forgot something or did something I shouldn’t have and… I don’t know… made things worse?” She shrugged miserably. “I’m afraid to go down and find out.”
“You did what you could for them, Beth. And, coming from where you do, from such an enlightened time, I am confident you did the right thing.” Sitting up, he grasped both of her hands and brought them to his lips. “Come. Let us see how they fare.”
While he donned his tunic and hose, she tugged on his robe. Everyone else in the castle was probably asleep, so she didn’t think what she wore mattered as long as she was covered and warm. A pair of socks helped, but didn’t completely insulate her feet from the frigid floor. Unfortunately, her boots were still wet from sitting in the rain, so socks would have to do.
Robert took her hand and led her from the room, down the stairs, and into the great hall.
They found the large open room deserted for the most part. Winston and Miles still lay on the table where she had left them. Someone had covered both with blankets and placed pillows beneath their heads. Most likely Mary, who had fallen asleep in a chair beside her husband.
Adam must have taken her request to guard the injured men seriously, for he sat in a chair on the opposite side of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest, keeping watch. Michael and Stephen had joined him. But those two now sprawled on nearby benches, snoring.
Adam rose as they approached and bowed. If he was shocked by their appearance or her improper attire, he didn’t show it.
Beth tightened her hold on Robert’s hand and tried to smile, but doubted she hid her concern with any success. “How are they?”
“Sleeping soundly, my lady.”
She studied the large, still forms with trepidation.
Robert moved to stand behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
When she glanced up, she saw his jaw clench as anger darkened his features. She hadn’t asked him what had happened while he was off looking for the men responsible. But assumed that, since frustration rather than relief had marked his features upon his return, things had not gone well.
Reaching up, she covered one of his hands with her own, then turned her attention to Adam. “Are they sleeping,” she asked, “or unconscious?”
Adam slid a covert glance Robert’s way, as if he wasn’t sure how blunt he should be. “Winston sleeps. Miles has not yet roused.”
Fear and regret filled her. “You see?” she said, looking at Robert over her shoulder. “I did something wrong.”
“Nay, Beth. Both men would be dead now had you not tended them so carefully. They look far better than when I last saw them.”
“Aye,” Adam inserted. “Michael was impressed by your efforts. And his dealings with Lady Alyssa have given him more knowledge of healing than anyone else here at Fosterly.”
His words failed to ease her worry. Nothing short of both men recovering swiftly would do that.
“Thank you for watching over them, Adam,” she said, though, appreciating it.
He nodded.
She looked to Winston’s wife. “Do you think we should wake Mary and send her to bed? She looks really uncomfortable.”
Adam shook his head. “I already tried. She will not leave his side, my lady.”
Nodding, she looked up at Robert. “I wouldn’t either if I were her.”
Robert offered her a tender smile and gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Come, Beth. ’Tis late. You can do no more for them this night.”
Nodding reluctantly, she turned away, then paused and looked back at Adam. “If anything happens… if they should get worse or… anything, please come and get me.” Glancing around furtively, she leaned forward and whispered, “I’ll be with Robert.” And damned if she didn’t feel a blush climb her cheeks.
His face impassive, Adam responded, “As you wish, my lady.”