favor and plan on breakin’ it off.”
“Oh,” she said, a bit taken aback by his response. Louise said he didn’t love the woman. “I see.” She felt better but… “Why did you not tell me?”
“I meant no—” he began but then stopped and began again. “I was afraid of speakin’ to ye aboot one more obstacle.”
“Aye,” she understood. “I do not know what the Lord wants from me anymore.” She wiped a tear from her eyes and smiled down at the kitten running through…daffodils. That was why they gave her the name.
“You truly do not mind having them with you?” she asked him.
He set his gaze on the children and shook his head. “No. They are no trouble.”
Oh, it was easy to like him.
“Captain?”
“Please, call me Galeren. Everyone calls me captain.”
She smiled. “Galeren. That is an interesting name.”
He took a moment to exhale. “My father does his best to live like the legendary knights of Arthur Pendragon. He named me after Sir Galahad—a knight perfect in courage, gentleness, courtesy and chivalry.”
Her smile widened. “I like those traits, my lord. They are good values.”
He nodded. “And even more valuable is the one who recognizes them.”
He was easy to like. Aye, to love. Did she love him? How would she know? She’d never been in love before.
“I have never heard of yer name before,” he told her.
“’Tis the name of a flower.” She smiled when his gaze went warm on her.
“You have a rare heart, Cap—Galeren,” she corrected and blushed a streak of crimson against walls of pure white. “You possess every trait I value.”
He moved closer, more aware of her then anything else.
“I want to close my eyes and listen to you speak,” she told him, and he smiled.
“I want to smell ye on my clothes.”
No. They had to stop. She marveled at how easy it was to slip right back into him and forget everything else.
“People cannot know that the man they follow fought against God for me or that I stole you from your betrothed. They will leave your side.”
He shook his head but didn’t look at her again. “I dinna care aboot their accolades. I am compelled to go home to Invergarry and leave everythin’ behind.”
She stiffened her spine. What should she say? “You should leave tonight then.”
He nodded and she was tempted to clutch his arm. She didn’t want him to go. He had to. One of them had to.
“I must go, Captain. I will see you again when I return home, I hope.”
He didn’t move.
She wished he would say something.
“My dear Captain, what is this?” A high-pitched female voice sounded close by. “You are the watcher of bratlings then?”
The woman was behind Silene and when she made herself known, the captain and the children balked.
“Is this why you did not have time for me? I was gone. Did you even notice, Captain?”
Silene turned to find a most beautiful young lady sauntering toward them. She had lovely golden hair and hazel eyes that changed beneath the sun from gold to green.
“Cecilia,” the captain drawled, clearly not happy to see her. “Is yer father here? We need to speak.”
Cecilia, his betrothed. Silene’s belly sank. Why should it? She was also betrothed. Had she forgotten so quickly…again?
“Sister Silene, may I introduce Miss Cecilia Birchet of Prestwick.”
“His betrothed,” Miss Birchet supplied quickly. She eyed Silene’s gray habit and veil suspiciously. “Well, are you a nun or are you not?”
“I am not,” Silene told her. “But,” she added when Cecilia Birchet looked about to tear out her own hair, “I will speak my vows in the spring.”
She’d meant to soothe Miss Birchet’s nerves. Silene was sorry for her. She imagined what it must be like to love him and not have his love in return.
But she didn’t think her promise would cause the captain to scowl so fiercely.
“Go away, Miss Birchet.” Margaret ran up to the captain and leaned into his leg. “Dinna touch Daffodil.”
“Margaret, ye are bein’ rude. What have we talked aboot?”
“But Captain—”
“Ask Miss Birchet’s pardon,” he demanded. “Now.”
“I ask fer yer pardon, Miss Birchet,” the little girl obeyed through clenched teeth.
Silene wouldn’t smile at her. Not now. She would not undermine what the captain said. Not when he was correct. He was teaching the possible king’s children humility.
“Granted,” Cecilia allowed then shooed her away. “Now, why do you not take your brother and your cat and go play?”
Margaret’s eyes filled with tears. She took Daffodil from her brother’s arms and ran off.
“I will see to her,” Silene offered