“My compassion is fer Alex and Margaret and their parents who trusted someone to watch over their bairns.”
“Is Dundonald so dangerous?” she asked him.
“Anywhere can be dangerous when ye have as many enemies as the High Steward of Scotland. And not just enemies but accidents can kill also.”
She liked that he worried about the children, that he’d kept them with him for a pair of hours. He would make a good father. Her face flushed at the thought of it, but she couldn’t stop it.
“Katherine from Hamsertown gave me a gown. I refused it, as I have no place to wear it, but she smuggled it into my bag. Do you think I should give it to Matilda?”
“No. I think ye should keep it.”
She looked up at him and wondered why he thought she should. She wanted to ask him, but she wasn’t that bold.
“My chambers are lovely,” she told him next, unable to keep her mouth shut. “I am unused to such extravagance.”
He smiled, tempting her to do the same.
“I share my room at the priory with many other girls. My friends, whom I miss very much.” Her eyes misted and she sniffled. “I even dream of them.”
“Ye will tell me aboot them.”
She nodded. “I often think of dear Agnes the most at night. She has night terrors and the other girls do not care to help.”
“Ye are kind-hearted,” he remarked.
They smiled at each other and continued down and around the hall.
Why was she accompanying him? Didn’t he say he was taking the kitten to his room?
“Well, here you go,” she said quickly, not knowing where his room was. She handed him Daffodil and turned her body to go. Her face did not wish to follow—or her eyes, which she could not pry from his.
“Captain McPherson?”
They both turned at the sound of Alex’s voice.
Silene smiled at him. She doubted he remembered her. He’d been almost five when she saw him last. Quiet, pensive Alex. He’d been courteous and shy.
“Aye, my lord?” the captain answered him with Daffodil climbing up his chest.
“We are here.”
“I see that,” the captain said. “Did Louise not take ye to yer mother?”
“Aye,” replied Margaret. “But Mother brought us back oot. She said we were disturbin’ Lizzie. She gave us to Gwen, but we saw ye and told our nurse we were meetin’ ye here. Yewerecomin’ to get us, were ye not, Captain?”
He nodded and grinned at Silene. “I have enlisted my lord and lady to help me care fer the cat.” He opened the door to his chambers and put Daffodil down inside. The children hurried in after her.
“A fine decision,” she told him. “There is much to be taught in caring for a pet.
He angled his head as if to see her from another perspective. “They are quick learners.”
The light shining in his eyes did not go unnoticed by her. He cared for the children. Another man’s children.
“They will be compassionate leaders,” she pointed out.
His gaze on her warmed, going a deeper, richer shade of green. “Would ye care to wait ootside the door with me?”
She shouldn’t. She mustn’t. “I…I cannot…” she stopped. She couldn’t finish. She opened her mouth to say a quick Hail Mary. It wasn’t what came out. “Of course, Captain. I would enjoy waiting with you.”