he said with disgust. “Ye are relieved of all further duty, Mr. Darby.”
He settled his gaze on Silene as he passed her. She was just as important. He moved toward her, unable to help himself.
“Leave here. Come away with me.”
Chapter Ten
“Go wait ootside of Darby’s door,” the captain ordered one of his men who was passing by. “Make certain he leaves Dundonald.”
The man nodded and left to take up his station at the door.
Silene saw and heard his power. He didn’t need the steward’s approval with big decisions. He was trusted. It was good to know.
“Is that a kitten?” she asked when they were out of range.
He scowled at first and then smiled. “’Tis Daffodil,” he said, grabbing the kitten an instant before she leaped from his hands.
“I must take her to my room and put her down. She needs food and likely needs to find a spot.”
“Where did she come from?”
“From Annabelle’s,” he told her. “Margaret has wanted a kitten fer a while now. Her mother has refused. Annabelle said the kittens were goin’ fast and I didna want Margaret to lose the one she wanted.”
What kind of soul was this that cared for the wants of a child who was not his own? He warmed her heart and made her feel the need to pray. “What will you tell their mother?”
“Nothin’,” he answered. “Not fer a while anyway. I will keep Daffodil with me until Lady Matilda gives in.”
He smiled a bit mischievously, charming her senseless.
She giggled.
“May I hold her?” What was she doing? She should be walking the other way. Hadn’t she decided to stay out of his path? Instead, she giggled.
“You said the children were with you. You mentioned it to that gentleman, who I assumed is their teacher.”
“He is that no longer.”
Silene shivered at the finality of his voice. “I did not know you could be so void of compassion.”
“My compassion is fer Alex and Margaret and their parents who trusted someone to watch over their bairns.”
“Is Dundonald so dangerous?” she asked him.
“Anywhere can be dangerous when ye have as many enemies as the High Steward of Scotland. And not just enemies but accidents can kill also.”
She liked that he worried about the children, that he’d kept them with him for a pair of hours. He would make a good father. Her face flushed at the thought of it, but she couldn’t stop it.
“Katherine from Hamsertown gave me a gown. I refused it, as I have no place to wear it, but she smuggled it into my bag. Do you think I should give it to Matilda?”
“No. I think ye should keep it.”
She looked up at him and wondered why he thought she should. She wanted to ask him, but she wasn’t that bold.
“My chambers are lovely,” she told him next, unable to keep her mouth shut. “I am unused to such extravagance.”
He smiled, tempting her to do the same.
“I share my room at the priory with many other girls. My friends, whom I miss very much.” Her eyes misted and she sniffled. “I even dream of them.”
“Ye will tell me aboot them.”
She nodded. “I often think of dear Agnes the most at night. She has night terrors and the other girls do not care to help.”
“Ye are kind-hearted,” he remarked.
They smiled at each other and continued down and around the hall.
Why was she accompanying him? Didn’t he say he was taking the kitten to his room?
“Well, here you go,” she said quickly, not knowing where his room was. She handed him Daffodil and turned her body to go. Her face did not wish to follow—or her eyes, which she could not pry from his.
“Captain McPherson?”
They both turned at the sound of Alex’s voice.
Silene smiled at him. She doubted he remembered her. He’d been almost five when she saw him last. Quiet, pensive Alex. He’d been courteous and shy.
“Aye, my lord?” the captain answered him with Daffodil climbing up his chest.
“We are here.”
“I see that,” the captain said. “Did Louise not take ye to yer mother?”
“Aye,” replied Margaret. “But Mother brought us back oot. She said we were disturbin’ Lizzie. She gave us to Gwen, but we saw ye and told our nurse we were meetin’ ye here. Ye were comin’ to get us, were ye not, Captain?”
He nodded and grinned at Silene. “I have enlisted my lord and lady to help me care fer the cat.” He opened the door to his chambers and put Daffodil down inside. The children hurried in after her.
“A