After the day Elizabeth nearly died, Richard refused to leave her side even for a second. He is even guarding her ward strictly by placing his trusted guards anytime he wants to freshen up or do vital things. Especially when he noticed that someone is always following him. Even though he couldn't see the person, he could feel that he's being followed. 

He has a lot of enemies, and he is sure they will be swamped in this hospital trying to finish up the job they started by making sure Elizabeth is dead for good. He doesn't want to take chances of losing her, so he needs to be careful....