Ceiling-high curtains of white linen, striped softly in navy, filtered the daylight into a cozy, amber glow..
Her gaze drifted to the bed, where Ryder rested, perfectly still. The steady rhythm of his breath was the only movement in the peaceful space.
Her eyes lingered on his pallid features as she stepped closer, noting the sheen of sweat in his dark hair. Instinct guided her hand forward, fingertips grazing the fevered heat of his brow.
She saw the bowl of cold water on the table, a sign of his mother's care.
She dampened a clean cloth in the fresh water, then laid it across Ryder's forehead, her fingers gently sweeping his hair back.
As she continued to wipe his face with the cool cloth, she sensed a subtle movement, a slight twitch of his eyelids.
Ryder's eyes began to flutter open, and she held her breath, her gaze locked on his face, captivated by the slow, sleepy blinks.
His eyes finally opened, and her heart raced as she gazed into their depths. His waking face was a sight to behold - his eyes, though cloudy with fever,his lips curling into a faint smile as he beheld her.
Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him, her heart pounding in her chest.
She couldn't tear her eyes away from his face, drinking in the familiar features she had missed so dearly.
"Ryder?" she whispered.
Ryder's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to focus. "Thea?" he whispered back, his voice husky with sleep and fever.
Her heart soared at the sound of his voice, "Hmm.."
Elizabeth walked into the room and was met with the view.
She couldn't help but smile as she surveyed the scene. She stepped inside, pausing as a quiet cough slipped past her lips.
Ryder's face lit up with a weak smile, his eyes still cloudy with fever. "Mother.." he whispered.
She approached his bedside, her fingers softly tracing the lines of his face, love and concern mingling in her touch. "How do you feel, my son?"
Ryder's gaze drifted to Thea, his eyes locking onto hers with a deep intensity. "I'm feeling a lot better, Mother." he replied, his voice stronger now. "Thanks to you all."
Tilting her face in Thea's direction, she caught her gaze. "You'll be having lunch with us today, Thea, okay?"
Thea opened her mouth to speak—"Auntie, today—"
Elizabeth raised her hand gently, a hint of authority in the gesture. "Not this time, Thea. You're going to listen to me today."
A sharp knock broke the silence, and in walked a figure bearing a bowl of fragrant soup. "Madam, the Young Master's meal."
Having dedicated herself to the Thompson family for decades, Head Servant Jane had been caring for the household since before Ryder's arrival.
She placed the bowl on the bedside table. "Thea can you help in feeding him..I have some work to do for now"
"Okay.. Auntie.."
"Okay then ...Son don't play any tricks on her."
She took the bowl from Elizabeth, her small hands cradling it with care.
"I can do it, Thea."
"No, today I will feed you. Didn't you hear Auntie ask me to feed you? Although I am young, I know how to feed others."
Ryder's eyes softened, his gaze filling with a deep affection as he looked at Thea. He knew she was right, and he was too weak to argue.