Forbidden Heart (Hearts of the Highlands #6) - Paula Quinn Page 0,39

“We want to go with ye!”

“Verra well. I have some things to think on. Will ye be silent if I agree to take ye with me?”

“Aye! Aye!” they promised.

“Fetch yer cloaks. Hurry. I willna wait long.”

Galeren waited while they hurried to their room, which was the first door at the top of the stairs. He watched them from where he stood. He tapped his foot, greeting others as they passed.

“Nice to have ye back, Captain.”

“Good to see ye unscathed from yer journey, Captain MacPherson!”

The children returned and Galeren finally stepped out of Dundonald and into the cool, crisp air. The children ran ahead, laughing and enjoying their freedom. Galeren kept his eyes on them but, soon, while he walked, his thoughts drifted to Silene and what the next fortnight was going to be like. He wished Father Timothy was here. He would tell Galeren what to do.

He watched the children returning to him. Their cheeks were red from running. Their happiness made him forget what was happening to his heart.

“Captain, may we go to the orchard?” Margaret reached him and asked.

He looked toward the castle’s orchard behind them and nodded. “We must hurry, though. It occurs to me that we didna tell anyone that I was takin’ ye.”

The children looked at each other and then at him. He saw the worry in their eyes, and it pricked his heart. They were too young for such fears.

He smiled. A wee bit of worry never hurt anyone. In fact, it might make them more vigilant in their duties.

“Come.” He turned around and marched to the orchard. He let them pick some apples and was proud of them when they picked extra for their sibling. Margaret even gave him hers.

“Ye are both learnin’ yer lessons well,” he told them while they sat beneath a tree. “I’m proud of ye.”

“Let us also pick some flowers fer Lizzie,” Alex suggested.

“Good thinkin’, my lord,” Galeren praised him. “’Twill brighten up the room.”

It amazed him how the children could be more thoughtful than adults. He scowled thinking how John the Steward had not been to see his daughter the entire time Galeren had been there.

He didn’t admonish them for not picking apples for their father. The steward liked making children. After that, he left the rearing to his wife and nurses.

“I asked Mother if I could have a kitten,” Margaret confided.

From where he rested against the tree, Galeren opened one eye and looked at her. “Is this the hundredth time ye have asked her?”

“Aye.” Margaret stared at him with huge dark eyes. “One of these times she will agree.”

He smiled. Clever lass.

“Will ye ask her, Captain? Mother will agree if ye ask her.”

Galeren shook his head. “She has said no alr—”

“But Annabelle Henry’s kittens are almost all gone. I would like one. Please, Captain.” Her eyes grew even wider. “Please help me.”

Galeren stared at her for a moment or two. Had she learned how to manipulate at such a young age? No. She was sincere. She truly wanted a kitten. She’d been asking for a month and a half now. Galeren had not involved himself and Margaret had never asked for his help until now.

“I will have a word with her,” he gave in. He tried to scowl but his heart felt too soft. When she bolted from her spot and flung her arms around his neck, he smiled.

“Oh! Thank ye, Captain! Thank ye!” she cried, pressing her cheek to his.

“Now, my lady—”

“Ye see, Alex? I told ye he would help us.”

Galeren quirked his brow at the lad. “Ye doubted me?”

“No, I just know ye have enough to do already. Ye dinna have to add helpin’ a lass get a kitten to yer list.”

Galeren’s expression turned serious. “How many summers are ye now, my lord?””

“Nine, Sir,”

“Nine,” Galeren repeated, studying his wee friend and his haunting different colored eyes.

“What d’ye know of how much I do?”

The lad shrugged his scrawny shoulders. “I see ye doin’ everythin’. Ye train the garrison and earned the respect of the men. Ye hold council and listen to every grievance, doin’ whatever needs to be done to offer help. Ye are always first when Scotland needs her sons to fight.”

“Nine?” Galeren asked, and then smiled. “Yer ability to understand such matters is impressive. But ye mustna worry yerself over these things.”

“It doesna matter whether I worry or not. ’Twill still be ye doin’ it all even when we are all old.”

They were still. Even Margaret, who now leaned her elbow on Galeren’s shoulder,