Chapter 66

The man’s whole weight was practically leaning on Alice. His head rested against the crook of her neck, his eyes half-lidded. She staggered a bit holding him up but quickly found her balance. His breath was scorching against her skin, like it could burn. Alarmed, Alice reached out to check the rest of his body. Burning up. “Mr. Hawthorne, you’ve got a fever.” With some effort, she helped him into the bedroom and laid him down on the bed. Flat on his back, Edward’s usually composed face was flushed unnaturally red. His soaked clothes had been taken off, revealing a toned chest, and a bath towel was loosely wrapped around his lower half. Alice placed her hand on his forehead—the heat made her hand instinctively draw back. She set his robe aside and walked into the bathroom. When she came out moments later, he had already shut his eyes, but the furrow between his brows showed he wasn’t completely out of it. She folded a cool wet towel and placed it on his forehead. The sudden chill eased