“I have done nothin’.”
“That is nae reassuring.”
He set the cup down again. “Jamie is a lass.”
The room changed at once.
Caitlin stared at him for half a breath, then another. Erin finally looked up from her basket, and for the first time that morning,there was open satisfaction in her face rather than mere tolerance.
“Well,” Erin said. “At last.”
Caitlin’s hand rose to her breast. “And ye are only telling me now?”
“Aye.”
Her eyes widened. “Frederick.”
“Iona told me only recently.”
“And ye didnae think to tell me at once?”
“Nay.”
“Why?”
“Because I kent this would be yer response.”
That nearly earned him the embroidery frame thrown at his head. Instead, Caitlin only turned sharply and paced two steps toward the window before turning back again, her expression cycling through surprise, offense, delight, and concern so quickly that Frederick found himself regretting, briefly, that he had not prepared for each in order.
Erin gave a soft snort. “He told ye when he was ready to suffer through it.”
“That is nae the point,” Caitlin said.
“It is exactly the point,” Frederick replied. “And since ye ken now, I require yer help.”
That checked her at once. “Me help?” she repeated questioningly, and much more carefully.
“Aye.”
“With what?”
He paused.
The answer should not have felt awkward. It was straightforward enough. Jamie had lived in hiding, had worn what necessity demanded, had learned to make herself small and unnoticed in ways no child ought to perfect. He had thought of little else since the moment the truth settled between them all. A dress. Shoes that fit properly. Dolls, perhaps, if she wanted them. Ribbons. Something of her own choosing rather than some disguise forced upon her by fear.
He cleared his throat.
“I mean to buy her proper things.”
Caitlin’s entire face softened.
“Clothes,” Frederick said, wishing suddenly that the room had fewer people in it. “Toys. Whatever a lass of her age should have and doesnae.”
Erin resumed sorting her herbs, though her mouth had gone suspiciously gentle. “Listen to him.”
Caitlin crossed the room before he could move out of reach and caught both his hands between her own. “Oh, me dear boy.”
He stiffened immediately. “Daenae fash, maither. We daenae have much time today.”