My Bad Boy's Secret: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance (86 page)

Chapter Five

Albert stayed awake all night. Caitlin tossed and turned, the sweat beading her pasty grey skin. He wrapped her in blankets, encouraging her body to sweat out the fever. He bathed her every hour, being careful to avert his eyes as he sponged down areas that he had no permission to be anywhere near. But this was an exceptional situation, and he prayed she would forgive him for being so bold if she made it through the illness.

Dawn broke, and he waited anxiously for Mariette to return with the anti-toxin. He knew many doctors were still sceptical of its potential but he had seen some miraculous recoveries when he worked in Dallas. He had even begun to have designs on returning to school to study medicine, but had finally decided that he wouldn’t want to restrict his researches to just one area of enquiry for the rest of his days. He enjoyed being able to pick and choose his subjects, learning a little of everything rather than a lot about one.

“Stay with me Caitlin,” he begged. “Mariette will be here soon. You are strong. You are young. You have everything to live for. Just keep on breathing, keep willing your lovely heart to beat.”

Thundering hooves halted abruptly and an excited call announced his friend’s return. “Albert, I have it. I have it.” He left the tent and went to her.

“Thank you Mariette, now go home and please light the fires in the School Mistress’s house, make sure there is plenty of cooled boiled water, and plenty of clean blankets and sheets?”

“Done,” she said determinedly. “I’ll hitch up Baron and break camp too before I leave. How is she?”

“The fever is raging, but I hope with this we shall break it soon enough. I shall bring her home in the carriage immediately it has.” Mariette nodded, seeing in his eyes that the medicine may well be a miracle, but if it failed to act he may not ever bring her back to Stephenville alive. She reached out as if to embrace him, he stepped back. She turned, not wanting him to see the tears in her eyes.

“I think it just as well you aren’t awake to see this my darling,” he said to Caitlin as he pulled out the large medical syringe. “But, I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think it would save you.” He administered it expertly, wiping the tiny drop of blood from her skin as he withdrew the needle. “And now we wait.”

It took three days and four nights for the fever to finally break. But Albert had never been so happy to hear any sound as he was to hear her croaking voice calling out to him. “Hello, Albert? Mariette?” He rushed back from the fire outside to take her hand and shush her.

“Don’t speak. Your throat must be red raw. Just stay quiet and peaceful.” He felt her skin, it was cooler, no longer clammy. He stroked her cheek. “You gave us quite a scare,” he said with a wry smile. “Mariette had to hare off into the night to get you medicine, and I stayed here and bathed you. I am sorry. I promise I didn’t peek.” She smiled at him wanly, and nodded.

“Thank you. I can’t believe you stayed with me.”

Albert held her hand until she slept once more, then quickly began to make his preparations to get her back to Stephenville. He made the seat of the carriage as comfortable and warm as he could, and packed up everything carefully. He put out the fire and finally moved to lift her into her temporary bed. Once she was settled he dismantled the tent and with a final check that she was sleeping still he jumped onto the dash board and began the journey home, praying that the past few days of dry sunshine would have been enough to dry out the roads so they could enjoy a smooth ride.

Mariette raced from her home, clearly she had been watching for the carriage. She looked at him anxiously. “She’s sleeping,” he said wearily. Her shoulders dropped visibly, her sigh audible even from the distance she had left between them.

“Everything is as you asked Albert. Take care of her and yourself, dear man.”

Albert carried her inside and up into the clean, bright little bedroom that had been hers so very recently. “Thank you,” she muttered as she rolled over and snuggled into the soft comforter. He went down into the warm kitchen and found cupboards stocked with everything they could possibly need, containers full of boiled and cooled water, and piles of fresh linens. Mariette had, as always, outdone herself.

He set about making them a nourishing chicken broth. He chopped the vegetables, and put the freshly plucked bird Mariette had left for them into a large pot with some of the water. He checked on Caitlin occasionally, but as he had expected at this stage she seemed to just want to sleep. He was happy to encourage it as he knew it was just what she needed. After a few hours he carefully drained the bird out of the pot, and began to carefully pick the flesh from the bones. He dropped the moist meat back into the broth and then ladled a bowlful for Caitlin. He placed it on a tray with a jug of water and took it upstairs.

“Hello,” she said as he entered the room.

“You are awake? How are you feeling?”

“Like somebody ran me over and then poured hot coals down my throat,” she said with a rueful smile.

“That sounds pretty close. You have diphtheria Caitlin.”

“Diptheria?” she looked utterly petrified. He longed to take her in his arms, to let her know he cared, that she wasn’t alone and didn’t have to be brave. “But isn’t that deadly, and contagious?”

“Both,” he admitted.

“You stayed with me?” She looked at him incredulously. “I am virtually a complete stranger to you, and you stayed with someone who was so sick that you could have died from what I had?”

“I had diphtheria myself as a boy Caitlin. I recovered and when I lived in Fort Worth I  worked with those that had it. Since I was sick I have seemed to be impervious to it. I used to help at the hospital with the doctors as they started to use the anti toxin we used on you. It was nothing short of miraculous seeing so many more people recover.”

“You have hidden depths Mr Dalligan,” Caitlin said, sounding impressed. “Thank you for everything. I will never be able to repay you.”

“Just breed me a wonderful horse once you are up and well,” he said with a smile. “Now eat the broth, it will do you good. You are going to need to regain your strength. You will feel more than a little weak for a while. We will go and get you some brood mares soon enough, so you can breed me my horse. I want one just like Monty.” He grinned at her, and spooned the broth into her mouth slowly, mopping the spills with a clean napkin. She ate eagerly enough, but he could see she was already trying to work out how she could get home to be alone again. Well, this time she had met her match. He wouldn’t let here leave this house until she was fully well – he could be just as stubborn as she was. It was time she learnt that it was good to let others help.

Chapter Six

Caitlin was touched by how tender and gentle with her Albert was. He seemed to bear no grudge at being forced to remain closeted in the tiny cottage with her, taking care of her. He was right, she felt weak as a kitten for weeks. But he was always there, to help her with everything. As her health improved she began to feel a little embarrassed at how needy she had been, and what a burden she must have seemed to him. But he seemed to remain sunny and always had a warm smile for her.

“Good morning, and don’t you look much better today!” he exclaimed as he entered her room and pulled back the drapes.

“I feel much better too. Could I maybe get up and spend some time in the garden today?” she asked hopefully. She had managed a few hours in front of the fire the day before, but she longed for some fresh air.

“I don’t see why not. We need to build your strength and your stamina again. Your farm will need you hale and hearty,” he teased. Briefly Caitlin felt an odd tug at her heart. Part of her was excited, and hopeful she could return to setting up her new venture, but a large part of her knew that this would mean she no longer got to spend every day with Albert. “Would you like some assistance getting dressed, or are you going to manage alone like you did yesterday?” he winked at her cheekily.

“I have no intention of taking any steps back now,” she vowed determinedly. “I shall dress and even walk down the stairs without your help today.”

“And should you do so, what would you like your reward to be?” he asked clearly amused by her determination. Caitlin thought about it for a moment, unsure. He had already been so kind, she truly didn’t feel she could ask for anything more. But then she remembered something that had seemed like a dream, but was sure that it had been real.

“Would you read to me?” she asked eagerly. “I know you did while I was still in bed, but I wasn’t able to truly give you my fullest attention, I would love to hear about Tom Sawyer and Hucklebury Finn’s adventures if you wouldn’t mind?” His face lit up, and she realized that she couldn’t have asked for anything that would please him more.

“I would be delighted. If you didn’t get to take it all in the first time around I would be remiss not to fill in the blanks! I shall make us a nice cup of tea and fetch the book. I shall see you in the garden.” He hurried off and Caitlin was left with a smile. He had looked so boyishly exuberant, as excited about his stories as she was about her horses. She had always enjoyed being around any person who had passion for what they did. Albert had passion to spare for words and knowledge, it shone out of his sparkling eyes, lit up his pale cheeks and made him seem fully alive.

“Ta dah!” she said as she stood in the doorway watching him prepare a comfortable seat for her. He had dragged out the worn chaise longue from the tiny parlour and was draping it with blankets.

“Congratulations, you even got it on round the right way today,” he said looking at her dress. Caitlin smiled, when they had tried to dress her just a few days previously she had been confounded by the layers of petticoats and ties required, and had somehow managed to put the dress on back to front. She supposed it was the confusion of the illness, and her being so used to wearing men’s clothing now that a dress had simply seemed too much. But she felt pretty in the delicate floral print dress today. It seemed to suit the early summer sunshine well. Albert came to her side and assisted her to the seat. She sat down on it, and allowed him to fuss around her with pillows and to wrap her up warmly. It still surprised her just how cold she felt, the sun was warm here in Texas at this time of year, and Albert was in his shirtsleeves, and she could still see tiny beads of sweat forming on his brow.

“I’ve made us some lemonade, and Mariette had her cook send over some cake so we shall have a delightful afternoon,” Albert announced contentedly. Caitlin took a few deep breaths. She was proud of her achievements, but it had taken a lot out of her. She lay back, and rested her eyes as he bustled around like a little mother hen. She found it funny that he seemed to have all the womanly traits of care and compassion that she lacked.

Finally he settled by her side, and took up the book. He began to read and Caitlin was soon lost inside a world of high adventure. Albert had such a lovely voice, rich like butterscotch, smooth like the best hot chocolate and he imbued each character with their own voice and even acted out their mannerisms as he read. It was delightful, and Caitlin couldn’t help but be jealous that his students got to listen to him read every day.

“Thank you,” she whispered as he put the book down and came to her side. “I am still awake this time,” she assured him. His warm hand pressed against her forehead, he knelt by her side.

“I think it is time we took you back ot bed my dear.” She nodded, though she didn’t want him to move. It was so lovely to be so close that she could feel the warmth of his skin emanating out towards her. She wanted to put her arms around his slender neck, and pull his beloved face down to her own so she could kiss him. But she didn’t. She let him pick her up and carry her upstairs, she was too tired to try and argue that she could do it herself, and she longed to be in his arms. She felt so safe there.

“Albert, will you stay with me whilst I sleep?” she asked nervously as he placed her tenderly on the bed.

“I shall be right by your side,” he said. “But I shall leave you to undress alone. It would not be proper for me to stay now you are able to do such things for yourself.” She flushed a little as she thought about how many times he had seen her without her clothes, and how much he had needed to do for her over the past weeks. “Caitlin, I did my best not to look,” he said clearly trying to calm her fears. Little did he know that she didn’t mind one bit. But it was clear that he had found nothing to his liking, he seemed so indifferent to being around her now.

She undressed slowly, and then called him back in once she was safely under the covers once more. “Albert, you don’t have to stay,” she called, knowing he would be right outside the door. “I am fine,” she said wearily. Expecting him to just go downstairs she was surprised to look up and see him by her side just moments later. She hadn’t heard him cross the floor. He truly did walk so lightly. His face looked unusually serious, as if he was steeling himself to tell her something dreadful. She felt her pulse quicken and her heart began to thud so in her chest she thought it may escape its confines.

“Caitlin, it will not be long before you will be well enough to return to your farm.” She nodded, wondering where he intended to take this conversation. She knew he had no feelings for her, at least no more than as a friend or patient. “Dear girl, you do not know what caring for you has cost me.”

“I shall reimburse you anything,” she cried. He looked at her as if he may sob. “Albert, I would not have you out of pocket on my behalf. I am not a penniless waif. I can afford to pay my way.”

“I did not mean financially my dear. I would pay any amount of money to see you well and where you belong, back on horseback and riding this stunning landscape. No, Caitlin  I meant that I have had feeling for you from the first that have become harder and harder to keep to myself. I know you have no intentions of marrying, nor do you have any need to do so, but I could keep my silence no longer. I love you with all my heart, and the privilege of being so close, caring for you has been strangely one of the best times of my life.” His eyes were filling with tears, and Caitlin seemed to have lost all power to speak.

He was just turning to leave, had almost made it to the door when he turned. “I never expected anything in return, and I never will. I will arrange for someone else to care for you if you would prefer, you should be past the point of being contagious now.” His beautiful head was hung so low, but Caitlin was still so amazed she couldn’t find the words to make him stay, to tell him she felt the same way.

“Albert, please don’t go,” she finally managed, but she was so tired that it was little more than a whisper and he didn’t hear her. She could already hear the tread of his shoes on the stairs as he moved further away from her. Caitlin could feel the tears pouring down her cheeks as she thought of his heart breaking for no need, but she couldn’t seem to summon up the energy she needed to get up, to run after him to tell him she adored him.