“Cecilia!”
“Galeren!” she answered, sounding just as stunned to see him almost running into her arms.
No! Not her. Not now.
“I heard you had returned. Why did you not come directly to me?” She pouted her pink lips and let her gaze go hot. She stomped her slippered foot just like a spoiled child. If she had one of her temper tantrums now, he didn’t know what he might say to her. He wanted to go outside. Take a walk. Be alone.
“I didna know ye were here.” He moved out of her embrace. “What are ye doin’ here, Cecilia?”
She lifted her hand to her flowing, honey-hued hair and patted it. “Father had dealings with the steward and brought me along to Dundonald. He thought I might want to see you. He was correct. Imagine my supreme disappointment to learn you had not yet returned.”
“Aye, we ran into some difficulties. It couldna be helped.”
She pouted again.
“We will speak of it later. And of other things.”
“But I am leaving shortly—”
He didn’t wait for the rest, but continued walking, finally reaching for the door. He saw his plaid hanging on a peg near the entrance.
“Captain!”
He drew in a breath and turned again. This time, he saw Alex, the steward’s son, and Margaret, the lad’s seven-year-old sister, offering him their brightest smiles.
“What are ye doin’?” Alex asked.
“Are ye goin’ oot?” asked his sister.
“Aye. I am goin’ oot.”
“We want to go oot, too!” one of them cried.
Galeren looked around. Where were their nurses or teachers? Anyone watching over them.
“Who escorts ye through the halls?” He knew the rules, for he had made them. John and Matilda’s children must not be about alone. The steward had too many enemies.
“No one escorts us,” Alex told him timidly. “Our teacher said he felt ill. He told us to find our nurse, Gwendolyn. But we couldna find her.”
Galeren ground his jaw. So busy were they?
He felt something on his leg. He looked down and saw Margaret hugging his calf. “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.