and then the other. “That way!”
“Master Rafe, you are the cleverest boy I have ever met. That is correct again. Three points! Now, let’s see if you can get this question next. Which door leads to the dining room? And we must count the number of doors we pass. Do you know how to count?”
He nodded. “I can count this many.” He released her hand and held up his two hands, wiggling his fingers.
“That is perfect.”
“Do I get another point for that?”
She laughed and shook her head. “I think so. Four points!”
As they walked down the hall, Gavin kept his eye on his son and Taffy. How could this brilliant girl manage to keep a protective eye on Rafe and also notice everything going on in the hallway and every door they passed? Her eyes observed every footman, every slight motion, every shadow. She checked to see if any doors were ajar.
They were all closed as they ought to have been. She would have leaped into action otherwise, and he grinned just thinking what she would do. She was quick and confident, and would likely be shouting a dozen orders as she raced inside and singlehandedly subdued the villain.
She also glanced out each window they passed, but there was little to see for the snow was falling heavily. “Mr. Barrow is still here,” she said in a whisper.
“How do ye know, lass?”
“His wagon would be in sight on the road if he had started back. I think he will remain here today and through the night.”
Gavin tensed. “So he thinks Gordon is going to…tonight?”
She nodded.
“We passed three doors, Taffy,” Rafe said, holding up three small fingers. “And door number four is the dining room.”
She held him back and made another game of it. “All right, wait right here while I peek inside.” She ducked in and just as quickly ducked out. “Five points! You are correct.”
She took the boy’s hand once more and led him inside. A footman drew out his chair while Taffy made a plate for him and then stepped back to stand behind him. But this rankled Gavin. Despite knowing he should not ask her to sit with them and share their meal, for it simply was not done in polite society, he did so anyway.
“Very kind of you, my lord. But that is not my place.” She remained standing behind his son’s chair.
He frowned, not willing to let the matter drop yet. “Have ye eaten this morning, Taffy?”
“Yes, my lord. Tea and scones.”
He did not know whether to believe her or not, but he left it alone. If he persisted, the footmen might take the wrong meaning of his indulgence of the lass. Blessed saints. Not even he knew what he meant by it.
He devoured his eggs and slices of cold ham, and frowned while he drank his coffee. Yes, he was frustrated over his situation, and frustrated that this lass who was willing to give up her life to save his precious son and his own sorry arse, could be offered none of the privileges afforded to him simply because of the fortune of his birth.
She did not know who her parents were. Who was to say she wasn’t the by-blow of a duke or earl? Her features were refined, nothing coarse about Taffy’s looks or her bearing. If she were ever to remove that blasted mobcap and put on a silk gown, no one would ever believe she was anything but a genteel lady.
“Taffy, I’m finished,” Rafe said, regaining Gavin’s attention as well. “Do I get another point for eating everything on my plate?”
She smiled at the boy who was looking up at her in utter adoration. “Yes, Master Rafe. You’ve done an excellent job. Now you have earned six points.”
He turned to Gavin with eyes wide. “Papa! I have six points!”
He ruffled the boy’s hair. “Well done, my lad. Show me on yer fingers how many that is.”
“It’s this much, Papa.” He held up all five digits on one hand and the thumb of the other.
“Och, that’s excellent. How clever you’ve become.”
Rafe turned to Taffy. “I did it right. Seven points!”
She shook her head and laughed softly, her laughter genuinely merry. “My goodness, Master Rafe. You are doing so well, you’ll soon run out of fingers to count upon. We’ll have to start on your toes next.”
Despite his irritation and frustration, Gavin found himself grinning again. “Are we done here?” He rose and helped Rafe down from his chair. By the time he’d