Chapter 28

My eyes rolled from Guy to my Father and to our local healer, Mistress Suzanne, all of who looked wan and pale. I tried to speak and found that I had very little voice. I felt Guy's grip on my hand and returned it, but only slightly form weakness. "I thought you were in London," I said weakly.

"I was," he replied. His face was ashen, with little color, but his eyes were two watery blots of joy. "I returned today and your father sent for me when he thought the worst."

"Father?" I called, and he immediately knelt by me, next to Guy. "What…what.."

"We almost lost you, Nyssa," Father replied, tears in his eyes. "You went very still…and you were calling-"

"I saw Mother," I said, my own eyes filling with tears. "She was there. I saw her and she called me by my name…"

"You called for many people," Father said. "First it was me, then Charmaine and finally Guy. Mistress Suzanne and I had been working on bringing you out of your fever for hours. It seemed hopeless, but…" Father looked at Guy with a touch of respect. "Sir Guy lost no time in coming, and has not left your side since he arrived."

My mouth was so dry, and I wanted to speak, but my voice cracked. Guy saw this and immediately said, "Water. Cold water," to Mistress Suzanne. She complied instantly and he held a cup to my trembling lips. I felt wretched, as if I had run from London to Nottingham four times over, and as I drank deeply, I felt my stomach cramp. My face blanched, and I sat up, vomiting violently onto the bedclothes. When I looked up, I saw that I had managed to soil Guy's arm as well, but he looked more concerned than irritated. "I'm so sorry," I said, feeling an absurd urge to cry.

"Enough of this," Guy said, standing. "Master Edan, with your permission, I'd like to send for my family's physician, who is one of the best in the county. I appreciate what you have tried to do, but…" His eyes moved over me in concern. "Nyssa is very ill. She needs stronger medicine than this, and a very clean, warm place to recover." He looked at Father seriously. "I know it is unorthodox, but I would like to take her to Gisborne Manor, when I feel she will have the best chance for recovery. I have many resources to help her and I will use all of them."

Father glanced at him. "What of your fiancée, Sir Guy? Will she not object, even perhaps try to harm my daughter?"

"I give you my word that I will handle Sabine. On my life, no harm shall come to Nyssa while she is with me," Guy said, power and truth ringing in his every word. "She is a lady to me, and will be treated as one by my staff and physician. You have no reason to fear for her honor or reputation. I swear it."

Father paused, then closed his eyes, his shoulders slumped. "Do what you must, Sir Guy," he said, looking exhausted. "I cannot lose my only child."

Guy leaned over me and said gently but firmly. "You're coming home with me, my love." Dizzy, I only half believed him, until I felt this arms scoop me up, avoiding the mess I had made on the bed, and easily carry me into the front room of the house. "Guy," I said, holding onto his neck, "are you sure…"

"Hush. You have no choice in this matter any longer, little lioness," he whispered, opening the door with a smooth move of his foot and carrying me outside to Aomir. The horse was still covered in sweat from his long journey, but immediately snapped to attention as Guy mounted him and then gently balanced me in front of him. I looked dizzily back to Father, who stood in the doorway, looking small and frightened. "Sir Guy, please take care," he said insistently, handing Guy something I could not see.

"I gave you my word, Master Edan," Guy said seriously, took it, and clicked Aomir into a trot, which proved very uncomfortable for me. I leaned back against Guy's chest, holding onto Aomir's mane and Guy's arm. I still felt like I would vomit, but tried to focus on Guy, that he was warm and loving and here with me, and was going to help. The journey seemed to take forever though I knew it not to be far. I was so hot that I kept pulling at the neck of my shift for the cool night air on my skin, and heard Guy chuckle. "None of that, my darling, " he said, pushing my chemise back into place. "You'll draw far too much attention and make me send Aomir into the river."

I supposed he had said something funny again, but I felt no reaction, only that I would fall asleep and off the horse soon. As I had that thought, I saw the vague lights of Gisborne Manor, and felt Aomir slow, snorting as he neared the barn. A stable boy ran out to greet us, and Guy slid effortlessly down from Aomir, pulling me with him and up into his arms a second time. I never wanted to leave them. He called for Thornton, who appeared at the door, both surprised and nervous.

"Prepare a room, immediately," Guy said, as he swung us through the front door. "My lady is very ill and needs immediate medical attention. Send for Dr. Langdon, I don't care the hour." I felt him carry me up the stairs as Thornton followed him like a busy terrier. "Yes, my lord. And what room will the lady be staying in?" he asked hurriedly.

"My mother's," was Guy's quick reply. "Fresh bedclothes, breakfast if she wants it, and all other necessities. At once, Thornton. I will lay her down in mine for the time being." I saw Thornton's eyes widen, but he scurried to do Guy's bidding. I blurrily followed Guy's turns as he carried me into the different parts of house, and finally to his own room, which was dark with a single candle burning. He swept into it, kicked the door closed, and gently laid me onto his bed. "You'll be here only a little while and have your own room shortly," he assured me. I registered briefly that I was in Guy's room, and were alone. And…he was undressing. Removing his leather doublet, he pulled on a clean shirt from a nearby chest, and shucked off his boots at the foot of the bed. Regarding my sick, trembling frame for moment, he then lay down next to me and pulled me to his chest. I protested weakly. "Guy, what I have could be catching…"

"Shhh, you're trembling from cold, and you need warmth. Move close to me. If I become ill, the staff will care for us both. And if worse comes to worse, I'll simply die along with you. Saves us an eternity of separation, no?" he said darkly but with a tinge of humor.

His deep blue gaze was the last thing I saw. Darkness swam back into my vision again, and I could not fight it this time. An unconscious stupor took me. As I floated in its oily depths, I was vaguely aware of voices, conversations, movement, cool water and potions begin tossed down my throat. There was no light in my oblivion this time, no Mother calling for me, and I had so wished to see her again. I was there for a long stay and I dreamed no dreams.

Much as I had left my consciousness, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes several days later were Guy's piercing blue eyes. His lips twisted into the smirk that was so familiar. "Had a nice rest?" he asked me, stroking my hair.

Blurrily, I asked, "How long have I been…sleeping?"

"The better part of a week, " Guy answered. My eyes widened, thinking of Father and how much work he would have had to do without me. I leaned my head back on the pillow, still feeling weak. "Oh, God, my poor Father."

"He has been to see you every night," Guy said. "And do not worry for his work. I sent my stable boy John to help him. John's father is a tradesman, so he has some understanding of the work involved."

"You…sent your own servant to help my father?" I asked, my eyes tearing up. "Guy…why?"

"You know why."

I closed my eyes, the tears spilling out of the corners, and reached for his hand. As I found it, my hand passed over something cold and metallic and I gasped from shock. "What's that?" I whispered.

"Your sword," Guy answered. "Your father gave it to me when we left your house and I have kept it between us always as a promise to him, that I treat you with respect and honor while you are in my house." He smiled softly at me, taking my hand, and kissed it.

Stunned, I asked him, "Have you found religion, Sir Guy?"

"No,' he said softly, touching my face. "But I have found something better." He then held my hand and rubbed it along the stubble of his face. "When you almost lose the most precious thing in your life, it changes you. Certain things become very clear in a way that they never were before. And I plan to make better choices than I have in the past." His eyes darkened for a moment.

"I loved someone once before, the Lady Marian. I thought she returned my love, but it was ruse; she only ever loved Hood. In a fit of passion, I killed her. I was insane with grief and jealousy, because she revealed that she had never loved me, and that she hated me." His tone asked for no mercy, only stating fact. "I never thought I would forgive myself, or believe that anyone could love me again. When you nearly died and then came back to me, I understood what it truly is to love another."

The shock on my face must have registered, for the pain in Guy's eyes was palpable. He looked away from me. "I don't ask for understanding or approval for my past actions. I only wanted you to know who I truly am, good and bad, and that I love you, Nyssa. I could never love anyone else."

"Guy," I said, holding his hand, "would you ever harm me? Kill me?"

His sigh was deep, and his answer pained. "I believe once was enough to learn that lesson." He looked back at me. "I was foolish and selfish then. You have taught me strength and kindness, and that power and force are two different things. When I saw you with Scarlett, I was angry, but I remembered to check my anger and that I had no right to be angry."

At the mention of Will's name, my stomach cramped again. Guy saw the look of agony on my face and eyes softened in concern. "Are you in pain, Nyssa?"

"What did the doctor say I had?" I asked, twisting in the bed.

Guy immediately moved to hold me, to soothe me. "Langdon said it was likely stress and hyper-exhaustion, but the fever and stomach cramping were his biggest concerns. He left a strong mint tea for you, used by the Saracens, to help with the cramping. Shall I fetch it?"

Feeling stunned, I shook my head. "No, a man shouldn't wait on a woman in his own house—"

"Ridiculous," Guy responded, rolling himself off the bed and reaching for a nearby cup. "I had some made earlier, in case you woke. Drink this." He came back, sat next to me and held the cup to my lips. The tea was so sweet and so potent that I nearly gagged, but forced it down as I saw the stern look in Guy's eyes. Miraculously, in a few minutes, the cramp in my stomach receded and I fell back on the pillows in relief. "Oh, thank God," I said.

"My name does start with a G but if you want to call me God, we may have to set some new rules about this relationship." Guy's blue eyes sparkled mischievously, and I could not help but laugh. "Where has this humor come from?" I asked, slightly incredulous.

"I don't know," Guy answered, smiling. His gaze was like a caress as he looked at me, a small smile on his face. "It seems the wolf can be playful after all."

I reached out to touch his beautiful face then, and sighed. "Perhaps the wolf has met his match." I felt Guy lean closer to me and he gently moved to kiss my forehead, a tender gesture that was new to me. His lips moved over my forehead and around my jawline, ending to softly touch my lips. I moved to pull him closer, but he drew back. "You need to rest, my lady," he said deeply, his eyes commanding, not suggesting.

I frowned. "How much longer before I will be well?" I asked.

"A few more days."

"And what then?"

"That," Guy said, "is entirely up to you, Nyssa."