Forbidden Heart (Hearts of the Highlands #6) - Paula Quinn Page 0,45
if she could not control herself. She was mortified and finished with her supper.
“Sister?” His husky voice drew her gaze to him and set her spine on fire. “Fergive me fer makin’ ye wait here with this pompous fool.”
He eased her with amusement, and then he smiled at John, as if it were said in fun.
“Captain,” Matilda said, ignoring how he had just mocked her husband. “Is it true ye had to look after two of my little ones today?”
The captain’s spoon paused at his parted lips. His gaze flicked to the children’s table. “’Twas no trouble, my lady. They are well-behaved and rather fun.”
“I am pleased ye think so highly of them,” their mother offered. “Ye can keep them with ye since ye threw their teacher oot of Dundonald.”
The captain lowered his spoon and his voice. “I dismissed their teacher because he left yer children to their own defenses today. If ye wish me to look after them, I will.”
“Nonsense!” the steward slammed down his cup, drawing much attention to himself. “The captain isna here to watch over my bairns. I willna—”
“I will do it, my lord,” the captain told him. “I dinna mind. If I have things to see to that are dangerous, I will lock them in my chambers. They will be safe with me.”
Silene listened, looking up at him now and then while he spoke. This is what he did. He kept others safe. Her, the children. Heaven knew how many others. She was quite sure he did all this for Daffodil and the children. This would give them time to play together.
“In the meantime, my lady,” the captain said as he fixed his steady gaze on Matilda. “’Twill give ye time to find a more responsible teacher fer yer bairns.”
“Aye, Captain,” Matilda promised, granting him absolution for releasing the teacher. He was, after all, looking out for her children’s safety.
“What happened today that ye wanted me to know?” the steward asked him and then looked at his wife.
Silene flashed Matilda a glare.
“There is nothin’,” the captain assured him. He obviously didn’t feel the need to explain why Silene was alone with him in front of his open door.
Across from him, Silene smiled subtly.
“Captain.” Matilda kept her voice low and as dispassionate as she could. “I only bring it up because I dinna want tongues flappin’ and my husband’s reputation bein’ soiled.”
Ah, the truth. Finally. It was, of course, her husband’s reputation that concerned her. Not Silene’s.
“Well? What happened?” the steward demanded now.
“Nothin’ happened,” the captain told him, sounding irritated now. “One of the men’s cats gave birth to kittens and I accepted one from him.”
“Captain, a cat? Why would ye?” Matilda complained.
“I ran into Sister Silene in the hall,” the captain continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I asked her to say a prayer over the small kitten. Yer wife came along and thought…well, I dinna know what she thought.”
The steward looked annoyed with his wife. “Was the novice in yer chambers alone with ye at any time?”
Silene was offended that her uncle hadn’t asked her the question. Did he not think he would get the truth from her?
“No, John,” the captain answered. “Yer bairns were in my room feedin’ the kitten.”
John tossed his wife another angry scowl. “Mayhap ye should quit concernin’ yerself with the captain’s doin’s.”
Matilda wasn’t finished. “Of course. Fergive me, but there is one more thing, Captain. Why would ye get a kitten when ye know ’tis what Margaret wants most?”
The captain exhaled and quirked his mouth just a little. “I think that is the verra reason I accepted it.”
Her husband laughed, but not to mock her. “Ye are clever, Galeren. One way or another, ye procured the pet fer my daughter withoot even needin’ my wife’s permission.”
The captain tried not to smile but Silene could see a hint of humor around his mouth.
“Ye are much like yer father,” the steward added. “A sly fox.”
Galeren laughed softly but shook his head and looked at Matilda, as if to say none of it was true. He hadn’t tried to fool her. Matilda didn’t seem to mind for too long and, once again, forgave him.
He didn’t use his innate charm for any malevolent purpose. He had done her no great harm.
Silene was glad that she forgave him so quickly and they could finish their meal.
Matilda turned to her. “Silene, ye imp. Why did ye not tell me of this animal the captain and my children adopted?”