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said urgently.  “I am a healer, I cannot turn m y back on those who need me, especially Garin.” She paused and drew a deep breath, taking Eleanor’s hand in hers. “Your excellency, listen to me. Garin’s fever is high but with the Willowbark tea and the decoctions it is managed. Feel his skin.”
    Eleanor did so and her panicked expression eased slightly.
    Garin stirred, turning toward her hand.
    “You see,” Alyna continued. “He is responsive. Garin has just been terribly weakened from his time in the Holy Land. I have been giving him broth every two hours. All he needs is food and rest then his body will have the strength to fight this fever. I fear, if you allow the monk to tend to him, between the bleedings and purging, Garin might die.”
    Eleanor stared at her son, tears in her eyes. Alyna held her breath, praying with all her heart. Unfortunately, the baroness shook her head. “ You are my s on’s betrothed,” Eleanor said, her voice thick .  “And the future of this barony, if he survives.  I cannot endanger your life along with his.”
    “ Eleanor,” Geoff said gently.
    She rounded on him, her eyes sparkin g furiously.  “You are a baronial knight, S ir, and I am still baroness here.  Obey my wishes at once and take your daughter your chambers.”
    A muscle twitched in Geoff’s jaw.  He bowed curtly.  “As you wish, my baroness.”  He stepped away and grabbed Alyna’ s arm.
    “ Father,” she protested.
    “ Hush,” he hissed between clenched teeth.  “We must obey our baroness.” 
    “Wait,” she said and knelt beside Garin. Tears pushed into her eyes as she took his hand and kissed his cheek. “Garin,” she whispered , her lips brushing his skin . “You must fight this. I don’t care what that monk does to you, you must fight harder than you ever did in the Holy Land.”
    Garin groaned softly, murmuring her name.
    “Forgive me,” she whispered and kissed his cheek again. She rose, allowing her father to lead her from the room. As the door closed behind her, her tears broke fr ee and streamed down her face .
    ****
    The sennight dragged interminably for Alyna.  She remained with her father, her uncle and his family, as well as a few other people, in a large room located in the west wing of the castle. 
    A servant brought food, leaving it at the door.  After he d eparted, Geoff carried the food inside.  Many times, notes from the baroness accompanied the trays.  Alyna found herself at wits end to learn Garin’s condition worsened.
    “ Father, we must convince her,” Alyna said urgently.  “I should not be locked away in this room when I have devoted so many years of my life to healing.”
    Geoff sighed, looking much older than his forty-three years.  “I know, Alyna, but I can think of nothing.  The baroness is right, your health needs to be guarded.”
    “ My health will serve no purpose if Garin dies.”
    Geoff’s jaw tightened in anger but he said nothing more.
    The sennight became a fortnight and finally, the baroness sent word to Alyna that the plague seemed to pass.  She called the family to an audience in the great hall.
    Alyna’s stomach twisted when she saw the baroness sitting in her chair, her feature’s terribly pale and her eyes grave.
    “ Your excellency,” Alyna said and curtsied.
    Eleanor inclined her head.  “Alyna, I pray you forgive me for these past days.  I did not wish to sh ut you away like a prisoner but it has been most difficult to see this terrible curse steal the life of my husband and then ravage my son.”
    Alyna paled, her hands quivering.  “Is he--”
    “ Garin lives,” she replied , her voice soft with grief.  “His fever broke a few days ago.  We waited, hoping to have better news.”
    Alyna’s mouth went dry.  “What’s wrong?”
    “ There can be no wedding now.”
    “ Why?”  Alyna blurted, her heart hammering in her chest.  Her father moved beside her and gripped her shoulder.
    The baroness s ighed