“What can I do fer ye, Captain?” Mr. Darby asked politely.
“Greetin’s, Mr. Darby. Are Alex and Margaret with ye?”
Darby’s eyes widened a bit. “Ehm…nay…I just sent them to Gwen fer—”
“Did ye say ye just sent them?” he verified. When the teacher nodded, his jaw muscles danced at the anger brimming upward. “Then how d’ye explain that they were with me fer the last pair of hours?”
Silene grew nearer, walking slowly forward. Galeren wondered briefly if it was his tone that drew her or his angry, unblinking gaze at the teacher.
Darby’s mouth closed—for just a moment. Then he astonishingly tried to defend himself. “I just woke with a fever.”
Galeren took a step closer to him and reached his free hand to the teacher’s face. Darby cringed, obviously thinking Galeren was going to strike him. “Ye have no fever. It didna just break since ye are not clammy.”
“I—”
Galeren stepped back and held up his palm to stop him. “Pack yer things and leave Dundonald. Ye failed yer most important duty to the steward’s bairns.”
He turned away, unfazed by Mr. Darby’s cries. He loved the children and Darby had put them in danger by neglecting his duty. If he showed mercy, others would not respect the highest duty there was. What was more precious than the lives of the young? Nothing.
“’Tis a good thing they were with me and not with one of the steward’s enemies,” 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 ootsideof 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, shegiggled.
“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.”