"How are you feeling?"
She swallowed hard, hoping to get rid of the dryness in her mouth. "I'm hurting, but it's not as bad as before."
"Are you hungry?"
Just the mention of food had her stomach grumbling. "Yes."
He looked at the older woman. "Patsy, will you get her something from the kitchen?"
"Yes'm, Missah Lee. I do dat lickety-split." She bustled out of the room, her gray servant's dress swishing around her wide hips.
"Patsy tells me she took care of my wound," Nicole said, getting Ashton's attention once more.
"Yes. I knew I could trust her. I've known her for years."
"She is very kind."
He rubbed her hand softly. "You had a high fever, and Patsy assumed it was infection setting in your body. She found some herbs to heal you." His smile relaxed. "I'm relieved to see they wo
