The Highlander's Accidental Marriage (Marriage Mart Mayhem) by Callie Hutton Page A

her door. “Light some candles,” he said over his shoulder as he headed to Alice’s bed.
    Sarah fumbled with a flint until the candles were lit and a soft glow cast on the reclining figure of the maid. Her face was flushed, her eyes glassed over. Braeden put the back of his hand to her forehead. “Yes. Verra warm.”
    “Can we fetch a physician?” Sarah asked.
    Braeden motioned her to join him by the door. “’Tis the middle of nowhere here, lass. Even if there were one about, the innkeeper would surely not summon a physician in the dark of the night for a maid.”
    Sarah drew in a sharp breath. “A maid is still a person!”
    “I ken that. But ye ken from yer own life that certain people are designated to places in society that don’t demand lofty treatment.”
    “Seeking a physician’s assistance is hardly lofty treatment. That doesn’t seem right.”
    “Nay. I agree, but the fact remains we need to help yer maid ourselves until daylight. Then I can ride for a physician myself.”
    She reluctantly nodded her agreement.
    “I will draw water from the well behind the inn. Gather up as many handkerchiefs and cloths as yer able. We will have to cool her down with water.”
    Braeden took the pitcher and bowl from the dresser and left the room while Sarah dug through her trunk for the necessary material. She cast a worried glance at Alice as the poor woman continued to thrash about and moan.

    B raeden hauled the bucket up from the well and transferred water into the pitcher. The lass’s maid had not looked good at all. Aside from her high fever, she had a rash spreading up from her neck. With only candlelight, it was difficult to tell where else she had the rash.
    He couldn’t afford any more delays. Although he’d been warned it could take up to a month or more to receive word from the committee selecting the members of the project, he’d also been advised a decision could be made rather quickly, too. This expedition was very important to him and his work. In order to be taken seriously with his peers, he needed to prove he could contribute to a team and do it well.
    Another concern was the lass’s worry about the delays. With her sister awaiting her arrival while anticipating the birth of her bairn, any further interruptions in their travels would be worrisome for Sarah.
    Sarah.
    What was he doing taunting himself with the lass? She was an innocent young lady—sister to a duke. Not the sort of woman a man trifled with. And with him in no position now or in the near future to make the lass a respectable offer, he needed to keep far away from her.
    But ach , how the lass set his blood to pumping. Whether she was raising her eyebrows in arrogance—common for a well-bred young lady of her station—or laughing delightedly about an amusing event, he desired her. From their first meeting he’d admired her plump lips and the womanly curves veiled by her garments. Curves that became visible when the wind plastered her gown against her.
    Admittedly, even though he was still very desirous of the lass, that need had since changed to something else. After days of travel and hours spent talking and riding together, he’d grown fascinated with the woman, Lady Sarah. She was intelligent, compassionate, loyal, and amusing. He could spend months, indeed probably years, with her, and never peel away all the layers that made up the intriguing lass.
    ’Twas too bad his present life did not allow for pursuing a woman. Someday he wanted to take a wife and raise bairns. But not for many years. Right now his work was too important. ’Twould be a lonely existence for a wife, to be constantly saying good-bye to her husband as he left for one expedition after another. Or worse, to drag herself and their bairns from one place to the next.
    Ach, but the lass is such a temptation.
    Sarah had a stack of handkerchiefs ready. She’d loosened the maid’s garment and proceeded to dip the cloth in the water and wipe Alice’s face,