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

neck, and hands.
    “Lass, I’m thinking I’ll go for more water and perhaps ye can undo her gown a bit to cool her even more.”
    Sarah regarded the maid as she continued to toss on her bed, thrashing about. Glancing over her shoulder as she tried to calm the woman, Sarah said, “Yes. I will loosen her gown. And I wish to thank you, Braeden. I appreciate what you are doing.”
    He nodded and returned to his duties.
    Eight hours later Braeden had made numerous trips back and forth to the well. The poor maid’s bed was soaked, as well as her nightgown and the front of Sarah’s frock. He’d tried very hard all night not to notice the curve of the lass’s breasts where the damp fabric clung to her fine form. The cool water, mixed with the chilly night air, also made her nipples prominent, causing his fingers to itch to pluck at them, make them rise farther. Before he teased them with his tongue.
    He’d spent those same hours thinking of mathematical equations to distract himself and stifling a groan whenever his eyes drifted toward her body. Her nearness, the scent of her light floral mix combined with her natural woman’s perfume, had teased and tantalized him.
    She’d spent all the time she could have been sleeping caring for her maid. All the tales he’d been privy to about English ladies faded with the dark of night. Perhaps the ones he’d met in London ballrooms were of the self-centered ilk, but this woman was like no other. ’Twas no wonder Liam MacBride had fallen in love with the lass’s sister.
    Love . His breath caught. No need to go near that word.
    The sun cast a soft glow into the room when Sarah brushed her damp forehead with the sleeve of her gown and sat back on her heels. “I think we need to see if we can find a physician. After all these hours, she is still very hot.”
    “Aye. I’ll see to finding one for ye. In the meantime, ye need to get some rest yourself, lass. You dinna want to be catching what yer maid has.”
    She slowly climbed to her feet and stretched her muscles. “What I need more than anything is a strong cup of tea and a hot bath.”
    “I’ll see to that for ye when I rouse the innkeeper.”
    He found the innkeeper’s wife busy in the kitchen, the aroma of bread baking already permeating the air.
    “ Ach , there is no physician that I am aware of, lad. But we have a healer who tends to the local folks. I can send my son to fetch her.”
    “Thank ye, ma’am. Also, Lady Sarah has requested ye send up a bath for her.”
    “How sick is the woman?”
    “Not doing well, I’m afraid. A very high fever that Lady Sarah tried all night to bring down, to no avail. She also has a rash on her face.”
    The woman tsked as she pounded another loaf of bread dough. “I’ll send the healer as soon as she comes by.”
    After a wash, shave, and change of clothes, Braeden sat in the private dining room waiting for Sarah to join him for breakfast. The healer had not yet arrived, and Braeden was growing concerned on how long this delay would be.
    “Ah, finally, a cup of tea.” Sarah entered the room, dark circles under her eyes. Such a delicate looking lass, yet she had strength absent from most other ladies. So many women in her position would have been wailing about the discomforts and delays in reaching her sister. And who else would spend the night cooling her maid down from a fever? The same lass, he assumed, who would comfort her maid after a carriage accident.
    He stood and pulled out her chair. “You are looking a bit tired, lass.”
    “Yes. I am. But I’m more concerned now with the healer. Has she sent word yet?”
    “Aye. She was attending a birth, but Mrs. Applebaum, the innkeeper’s wife, said the woman would be here as soon as possible.”
    They shared a filling but quiet breakfast of sausage, eggs, and haggis. “Dinna care for the haggis, lass?”
    She wrinkled her nose. “No. I have had it before. It is not one of my favorites.”
    “McKinnon! Is that you?” His