by Platt, Meara
“On my person.”
She pursed her lips, nibbling them as she considered what he had shown her. “Any weapons in the sitting area?”
“No. There’s a letter opener and razor to sharpen a quill pen in the desk drawer. I’ll use those if the fight extends into that alcove and I need another weapon.” He regarded her a moment. “Taffy, what are ye thinking, lass? Should I have done something different?”
“No, it is all fine. You are a veritable armory.”
He chuckled.
“But if this laird, Bruce Gordon, wishes to destroy you…”
“Out with it, Taffy. What’s on yer mind.”
“Mr. Barrow wanted me to remain in charge of guarding you and your son. We all agree that his aim is to harm Rafe first, but it isn’t merely that. I think he needs to harm him in front of you because his true purpose is to watch you suffer.”
Gavin’s eyes rounded in horror. “Ye wish me to keep away from the lad?”
“It would give me time to figure out a way for Rafe to escape. If you’re not here, he won’t harm the boy immediately.”
“And what if ye’re wrong?” His mind rebelled at the possibility that he would not be standing beside his son, protecting him with all his heart and breath and being.
Damn the lass.
“I’m not angry with ye for suggesting it, but I canno’ abandon my son. His chances of survival are better if both of us are here to defend him.” He looked down, realized he had not let go of her hand, and released it immediately.
“I understand, my lord.” She tipped her chin up in the air. “I am not angry with you, either.”
Blessed saints.
This is why he liked this girl to distraction. She stood up to him. Constantly challenged him. She was not just another pretty face and heavenly body.
“Papa! I did it!” Rafe was jumping up and down, his smile as bright as a sunbeam.
Indeed, he had. Buckled his shoes all on his own. Gavin knelt and held out his arms. “Well done, lad. Come here and let me hug you.”
The boy flew into his arms.
He wrapped the boy in his embrace and held him tightly. His heart burst with joy for the sweetness of it. Then he laughed as he released him, for Rafe immediately turned to Taffy and said, “Do you want to hug me, too?”
“Of course, I do!” She grinned at Gavin as the boy clung to her. “You did an excellent job and your Papa is quite proud of you. So am I. Shall we have breakfast and then find a game to play?”
Gavin thought perhaps they ought to have remained in the bedchamber and had their meals brought up to them, but Taffy seemed opposed to it. “I dinna understand the reason, lass.”
“I want Rafe to become familiar with the house.” She poked her head out the door and looked up and down the hall before allowing either of them to step out. “Master Rafe,” she said before they had taken one foot out the door, “we are going to play an exploring game and you will be our guide. Which way to the grand staircase? You will win one point every time you guess correctly.”
His boy was excited. “That way!” He giggled and pointed in the right direction.
Taffy cheered. “Yes, excellent! One point for you!”
Gavin merely shook his head and went along.
They walked down one flight of stairs and Taffy stopped. “This is a very big house, so the next question is trickier. To get to the dining room, do we go down another flight of stairs or do we turn down the hall?”
He glanced up and down the hall, mimicking what Taffy had just done. “Down the hall!”
“Excellent. Two points for you! Now, do we turn this way or that?”
He looked in one direction 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 Raf
e down from his chair. By the time he’d finished the simple task, Taffy was already at the door, peering down the hall to make certain no one was skulking in the shadows.
It did not sit well with him that she was the one to take the lead and therefor all the risk. He’d been raised to protect the weaker sex, although if anyone could blast to bits the notion of women being weaker, it would be Taffy.
They walked to the stairs and she suddenly stopped to turn the boy around. “This question will earn you three more points, Master Rafe.”
The boy was eager to hear it.
She walked him up two steps then turned him so he faced downward again. When they stepped back down to where Gavin had remained watching them and wondering what she was doing, she pointed in the direction of the dining room. “Here’s the first part, for one of those points. How many doors down is the dining room where you just ate your breakfast?”
“Four! That’s easy. We just came from there.”
“Excellent. Now, if I tell you the library is two doors in that direction, show me where you’d go. But don’t go in. Wait for me to go in first.”
“Why?”
Gavin responded before Taffy could. “It is what a gentleman does. Ladies first.”
His son accepted the explanation without comment. He turned and counted out loud when passing the first door. “One!” Then he reached the second door. “Two.”
“You are the cleverest boy I have ever met,” Taffy declared, giving his shoulders a little squeeze as she set him behind her and peered in. “Wait right beside your father until I call you, Master Rafe.”
He nodded.
Gavin took the boy’s hand on the chance he thought to dart in after Taffy. His heart tugged when the lad looked up at him and graced him with an innocent smile. “My beautiful son,” he murmured before turning his attention back to the library and peeking in to make certain no harm had come to her.
“Papa! Taffy told us to wait outside.” The boy was horrified and probably worried about losing his points for his father disobeying.
“I am outside, lad. I merely wanted to be sure Taffy had not called us yet.”
The boy eyed him dubiously.
“You may come in now,” she said before his own son had the chance to give him a dressing down for ignoring her command.
Rafe rushed to her. “I got it right! This is the library!”
“Ten points, Master Rafe! Well done!” She took his hand and led him around the stacks. “Do you know what that earns you?”
Gavin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing out loud. Rafe was so excited about acquiring his ten points, yet the innocent lad had no idea what those ten points would earn him. He was simply delighted to be winning those magical points.
Taffy took the boy firmly but gently by the shoulders. “It earns you many prizes and you get to choose. One point for a hug from your father. So, if you want three hugs, then that’s worth three points. One point for a kiss from your father. So if you want five kisses from him then how many points is that worth?”
The boy looked confused.
“Hold up all your ten fingers,” Taffy said and the boy obeyed. “Now, take away five fingers.”
The boy dropped one hand.
“How many are left, Master Rafe?”
“Five.”
“Exactly. So if a kiss from your father is worth one point. And a hug from your father is worth one point. And one point for an apple tart. One point for lemon cake. Two points for gingerbread because that’s my favorite.” She held out her ten fingers. “How would you like to use your points? And you don’t have to use them up all at once.”
He furrowed his little brow, looking quite perplexed.
Gavin tucked a finger under his chin. “What’s wrong, lad?”
His chin wobbled and he looked as though he was about to cry. “What if I want to hug Taffy?”
She was obviously surprised by the remark. “Oh, Master Rafe. Those hugs are free. My kisses, too. They do not use up any of your points.”
He perked at once. “Then I don’t have to bother with my father. I can hug and kiss you all I want and still have all my points for cakes and tarts.”
Gavin burst out laughing, especially finding the look of shock on Taffy’s face hilarious. “Lass, ye’ve just been outsmarted by a five year old.”
CHAPTER SIX
AS THE DAY wore on, Gavin realized what Taffy had been doing all along with his son. While making a game of it, she had been acquainting him with the entire house, primarily the first floor, but he was now also familiar with the lower level where the kitchens were located and the second level where the guest bedchambers were located.
She’d played hide and seek with him in the library, so that Rafe now knew the best hiding places in the room. Everything she did was turned into a thing of fun for the boy, and because she was still giving him prizes and awarding points, he was soaking it all in like a little sponge.
It was now about three o’clock in the afternoon but felt later since the clouds were still thick and gray while a cold, wet snow continued to fall. The ugly weather had not abated and a thin sheet of ice was piling atop the layers of snow already on the ground from the week’s prior snowstorm.
Now having returned to the library, Gavin ordered cakes and hot cocoa to be served to them in there. He made certain to let the butler know he was to bring cups and plates enough to serve three. Taffy did not look pleased. “Three, my lord?”
“Aye, three. Ye heard me, lass.” He was the marquis here, the highest ranking person in the entire house. What good was the weight of his fancy title if he could not toss it around?
The butler attending them gave a moue of disapproval, but dared not contradict him. He merely bowed in all his liveried splendor and quietly left to do Gavin’s bidding. It did not escape his notice that the man shot Taffy an unpleasant look on his way out.
“It was not well done of you, my lord,” she said, her look of disapproval so much softer and more appealing than the officious servant who had just left them. “I am trying to blend in and now you are making me stick out like a sore thumb.”
“You? Blend in? Och, lass, ye must be jesting. Even with that revolting mobcap, ye still look like a princess. I’ll have no more discussion on the matter. Come join us, lass.”
When she ignored his request, he did not make a fuss. He’d won and no matter how reluctant she was to obey, it did not change the fact that his wish would control. He’d won the moment he’d given the order for three settings to be brought.
She turned away and strolled to the window, seemingly fascinated by whatever was going on outdoors. He came to her side and followed her gaze as she peered out. He said nothing, just made his presence felt. The lass refused to look at him, no doubt still peeved he was expecting her to join them in their repast of hot cocoa and tea cakes.
Was his request so shocking that she would still be cringing over his exchange with the butler?
Of course, she would not be cringing from fear, for the lass was fearless. More from shame that he would elevate her to his equal when everyone knew she was not.
Yet, to his mind, she was not only his equal but his better. “Ye’re nibbling yer lip. What’s wrong? Other than ye wish to toss me out the window into that snow pile.”
She laughed softly at his remark. “No, my lord. Never. You are a good man, although thickheaded at times. This snow concerns me. I wish it would stop. It’s falling so hard and fast, it covers up any tracks the villain might make.”
“Ah.” He understood what she meant. When moving about the house last night, he’d looked for signs of footsteps in the snow, especially those close to the house and its many windows and doors. “Let’s hope the villain succumbs to the cold and we find his frozen, rotted body with the spring thaw.”
She nodded.
He stood close enough to breathe in the lavender scent of her skin, close enough to study the heart shape of her face, the delicate cream of her c
heeks, and dusky rose of her lips. She was leaning against the window frame, her body so slight and slender compared to his. He was big and broad shouldered. Perhaps more muscled than most men of his rank simply because Scotland was a rugged land and a man could not survive there if he were soft.
But softness in a woman was quite another matter.
He ached to take Taffy in his arms.
Her body was a thing of splendor. If he were ever to touch her, to taste the sweetness of her lips and feel the silkiness of her skin, he did not know if he would ever have the strength to let her go.
He’d never felt this way about another woman, not even Rafe’s mother who was considered a Scottish jewel.
How could he be feeling such things in the matter of a day?
It had to be a passing fancy, of course.
Yet, he was no green youth. He was a man full grown. A husband and a father. A man of experience in all matters, not merely those of casual lovemaking. He had never lacked for female companionship in his younger years. However, in all those years, in all those casual encounters and throughout his married years when he had been faithful to Vera, he had never felt such a powerful tug to his heart as he now felt with Taffy.
The lass turned to look at Rafe who was quietly playing spillikins by himself at one of the small reading tables in the room, his attention rapt in picking up each stick without moving the others. “I ought to join him,” she said, her gaze now lingering on him.
Och, she was devastating to his senses. “Why? He’s amusing himself. We’re right here, keeping watch over him.”
She cast him a wry smile. “But I believe you are amusing yourself as well, my lord. I would not like it to be at my expense.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Taffy, it is the last thing I would ever do. But I would be lying to us both if I did not admit to finding you remarkable.”
She shook her head. “I am merely diligent at my job.”
He caught her hand when she turned to move away. “You are so much more. But that’s a discussion we shall have once the bastard who is trying to hurt my son is dealt with.”
He seemed to be upsetting her, so he released her and said nothing more. When he turned back to the window, he suddenly felt her hand on his arm. “Move away, my lord. You make too easy a target, even in a blinding snowstorm.”