Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lucien had seen Faolan run off and knew that she was there. Bryn knew it as well. He sent Bryn in for some food and promised to bring his mom to him. “You go in and get some food while I look for your mother.”

“I want to tell her what we did today, Papa.”

That word still made him choke up with tears.

“Fine. You tell her, but first we have to eat. Run inside and tell Cook to get you something.”

“Okay. See you inside, Papa.”

“I’ll be along soon.” He ruffled his son’s hair. His son. And swallowed back tears when he got a hug.

“Love you, Papa.” Then he was gone, off running with the spirit of a child.

Lucien looked toward the lake and saw Faolan so he headed that direction. What he saw when he arrived was more than he’d ever expected. His sister was sitting in Ciara’s lap like a little child. Her head was tucked up under Ciara’s chin and she was shaking.

Ciara rubbed her back as she began to sing a quiet song. It was not in English but Devonna seemed to understand the feeling of the song. Her sobs slowed until she was almost silent. Ciara didn’t stop, simply continued as if she were doing something ordinary, as if it was normal for her to hold a grown woman in her lap as she cried.

Faolan rose and she followed his gaze to look into the blue eyes of Lucien. One eyebrow rose in silent question. Without stopping her song or the rocking, she gave a slight shake of her head. Lucien nodded as he stepped back

After Lucien had disappeared from sight, Devonna raised her head. Her face was streaked with tears, red and blotchy. She scooted off Ciara’s lap and hung her head in shame. “I am s-so s-sorry,” she stammered. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on from time to time.” There was no censure in her tone, only quiet understanding.

“Why aren’t you asking me what’s wrong? Or telling me to stop crying because a lady never shows her emotions?”

“If you wish to talk about it, you will. And I am the last person that can be telling you what a ‘lady’ would do. I’m wearing pants.”

Ciara turned to Devonna and took one of her hands in her own. She looked her right in the eye and spoke softly. “I am here if you do wish to talk about it. But I will never force you to do so.”

“I feel so bad about deceiving Rafe. I mean Lord Harrington.”

“Why? What are you deceiving him about? Are you not going to marry him?” Ciara furrowed her brow.

“No. No. Nothing like that. I am so excited about marrying him. I have always had a crush on him.” A girlish smile crossed her face. “No, about him marrying someone who isn’t a virgin.” She blushed at the word virgin.

“Look at you. You blush just saying the word. How can he think you are anything but one?”

“But I lost proof.”

“No. It was taken from you. Devonna, do you trust me?”

“Yes. I’ll admit I don’t know you very well but I think I trust you.” She nodded. “I am sure I trust you.”

“Tell your brother.” The look of horror that crossed her face made Ciara reach out and take hold of her arm to keep her from bolting away. “Listen to me.” She adopted a tone that she used with Bryn when he was being stubborn. It worked like it did with her son. Devonna stayed even though she was nervous.

“Your brother loves you. I have seen the look of pain on his face when you pull away from him. He would never hold that against you. And I don’t believe Rafe would either. He took you away from them seven years ago. In that time, has he ever done anything that would make you think that he would be like Richard?”

“How did you know who?” Her breath came in short gasps.

“I figured it out. Answer me. Has he?” Her tone sharp.

“No. He hasn’t.”

“Then why are you punishing him? All he sees is a sister who can’t stand him. And yet, he still stands by you. He stood up to your father when he wanted you to marry that other man. You trusted him for that, why not with this? He won’t turn his back on you.

“Think about it. In the seven years that you have been here, have you ever felt threatened by him? Has he ever made you uncomfortable? I would bet not. I know that what Richard did was horrible and inexcusable, but that was Richard, not Lucien. Don’t punish the brother that loves you for something the other one did.” She rose.

“I am going to the house to see my son. Think about what I said. I think that you should also tell Rafe. If you wish to tell them, I would be there with you should you desire it. Both your brother and fiancé are good men, don’t forget that. Don’t let Richard win by ruling your life with fear.” She left her then and headed toward her son.

“Mama.” He jumped at her and hugged her. “I missed you today. Where did you go? What did you do? I had fun. I got to name the baby we brought for Papa. Guess what I named him? Guess, Mama!”

She set him down and ruffled his hair. “Give me a minute, Bryn. You are asking too many questions at once. One at a time. I missed you too. Now, what did you name the colt?”

“What fun is that? Guess, Mama.” Hands on hips, he looked affronted that she would dare to take his fun away.

“All right. A guess. Let’s see.”

Ciara chewed on her bottom lip as she pretended to think hard on this question, while Bryn danced from foot to foot with impatience as he chanted, “You’ll never guess.”

Aware that Lucien stood in the doorway to the kitchen and watched the interaction with mother and son, she continued to think hard. “Humm. I think… No, I’m going to say”—she leaned down to his ear and said in a stage whisper—“Storm.”

Astonishment crossed his face, Lucien’s as well. Bryn stamped his foot and demanded as his lower lip stuck out, “How did you know that? Who told you?”

“No one told me, no one had to.” She smiled as she placed a kiss on his scrunched-up face. “I’m your mother. I know all.” She winked at him and rose. “How was he today?” The question was directed to the man in the doorway who took up more space than he had a right to.

Lucien entered the room, making it feel even smaller. “He was a very well-behaved boy. My son did wonderful.” He watched as Bryn darted off to play with Kosse with a wave to them both. “How did you know what he would name the colt?”

She gifted him with a rare full-blown smile. “Like I said, I am his mother and I know.”

He crossed over to her, immune to, or perhaps it was uncaring of, the kitchen staff that watched them with amazement and drew her into his arms.

“Tell me then, ‘mother who knows all’, what am I going to do?”

His voice was throaty and sent shivers flying all through her. His passion-filled stare ran over her body with hunger.

Ciara’s own body flared in response as her tone deepened with desire. “Kiss me.” A plead? A wish? Who knew?

“As my princess commands.”

Growling low in his throat, he did just that. Melting into his embrace, Ciara forgot where she was, who she was. Forgot everything except the feel of his lips on hers, his body pressed intimately against hers.

A low whistle brought them both back to the present. Lucien raised his head to look at the kitchen staff that was trying not to smile, and failing. Ciara tried to pull away, but his arms locked around her like chains, holding her prisoner. A willing prisoner.

“Let me go, Wolf.” She spoke in a soft tone.

“Never.” The word so quiet she wasn’t sure she had heard correct. He opened his arms so she could step back. His gaze belied his motion. They agreed with the single word he spoke. They heard childish laughter and saw Bryn and Devonna standing in the doorway watching them.

Devonna raised an eyebrow in perfect imitation of her brother. Which caused Bryn to laugh even harder.

“You two look like you got caught doing something bad.” His voice was full of joy.

“Bryn.”

The warning came from his mother. He ran off, trying not to laugh, knowing that his mother wasn’t really angry with him at all.

“Saint?”

“Yes, Devonna?”

“Can you arrange for a meeting with Lord Harrington two days from now? I wish to speak to the both of you.”

“About what?”

“Please. In two days. Can you do that?”

“Yes. I will send a note today.”

“Ciara, will you be there as well, please?”

“Aye.”

As his sister left, Lucien turned to Ciara and asked, “What did you do today?”

He settled his hand on the small of her back as they walked out of the kitchens and to a sitting room.

“Nothing important. Just answered a letter.”

“From whom?” He felt a wave of jealousy hit him.

“Don’t worry about it. I have to get back. It will be time for Bryn to find his bed soon. Thank you for keeping him today.”

“There is no need to thank me for watching my own son, Ciara.”

He settled her on a small couch then sat beside her. Draping his arm over the back and also her shoulders, he accepted the silence just enjoying being with her.

After a bit he asked, “How did you know what he named the colt?”

Leaning her head against his shoulder, she chuckled.

“The night the colt was born, a wild storm raged through the mountains. When Bryn saw him the next day for the first time, he asked me if the storm had left him the baby to play with. I knew from that day on he would always think of the colt as Storm.”

“Was he disappointed that he didn’t get the colt?”

“No. He had Toka, and since he was allowed to play with all of them, it never occurred to him to want the colt. He loves horses and is very good with them.”

“I know. I was amazed the first time I saw him on that horse. He handles him like a pro.”

“He wants to race them. Maybe if you helped him then I wouldn’t feel so nervous about it. Or talked him out of it. From what I remember, the races can get very nasty at times. When it’s just the two of us, I don’t worry ’cause we are just racing for fun. Not money.”

“You let him race? Are you crazy, woman? He is too young to be racing.”

“He has been on horseback since before he was born. Toka would never hurt him, nor would any of the other horses I’ve put him on. Don’t you think that I would be the first one to tell him no if I thought he would be in danger? Look, life in the mountains is dangerous. He needed to know how to ride. Besides, a growing boy likes adventure.”

“All right. You’re right. You wouldn’t put him danger. I could take him to a race with me tomorrow. I have two horses racing. You could come as well.” A family outing.

“No. I need to get away from people for a while. If you are sure you wish to have him with and he agrees, then I see no problem with it.”

“We can ask him.” Pulling her back when she rose, he tucked her in along his side again. “When he comes in. I don’t want to share you right now. Just let me hold you.”

She relaxed against him and he watched as the sun started to set.

“Mama. Mama.” The childish yell reached her long before the child did.

“Brenden Kumi. What have I told you about yelling inside?”

“Not to do it. Sorry, Mama.” He looked only a little put out as he climbed up onto her lap. “I’m hungry. When do we eat?”

Lucien shook with silent laughter. Always hungry. What a kid. “Dinner will be served in three hours.”

“That long? I’m hungry now.”

“Bryn, that is when the adults eat. You will be sleeping.” Ciara’s words were soft.

“Mama, why can’t I eat with you? I miss eating with you.”

“I miss eating with you too, baby. Normally I would have eaten with you, but you were here, remember? I will have dinner with you tonight, but we should go now.”

“Why don’t you eat here? That way Bryn can spend the night and we can leave in the morning?”

The words were out of Lucien’s mouth before he knew he’d spoken them. He blanched at the look on her face.

“Where are we going in the morning, Mama?” The promise of an adventure overrode the immediate need for sustenance.

“Your father wanted to take you with him to a horse race. He has two horses entered. What do you think? Would you like to go?”

If bouncing was any indication that he did, he was ready now. She stilled him with a touch as he repeated, “Yes. Yes. Yes.” Over and over.

“Don’t tell me. Tell your papa.”

She had a hard time getting out the word papa, Lucien noticed.

Bryn jumped over onto his lap and hugged him hard. “Can I go with you, Papa? I will be good and all that other icky stuff Mama makes me promise to do.”

“Yes, you can come with me. Are you going to sleep here tonight?” he asked his son, evading Ciara’s gaze as he tried to stifle a grin at his son’s words.

“That will be fine. Mama and I can share a room.” He looked to his mother for confirmation.

“No, baby. I won’t be staying. It would just be you. I have to go back to Aunt Fi’s.”

Lucien noticed his son withdrawing from him and leaning back toward his mother.

Bryn glanced at her with a scared look. “I don’t want to stay here if you are not going to be here, Mama.”

This was it. Right now, she had a chance to sever all ties with Lucien, make him continue to depend on her. He held his breath, waiting. When she began speaking in a language he didn’t know, his gut plummeted to the ground.

Her son digested whatever she had said and looked at him. Lucien struggled to remain impassive.

“Mama. You said we were only supposed to speak English around Papa, ’cause he couldn’t understand, ’member? You said it was rude.”

“You are right, Bryn. I apologize.” She rose from the couch. “Come give me a hug. I have to go.” Bryn hopped off and ran over to her and wrapped his arms around her neck as she knelt on the floor. “You’ll be fine. Have fun.”

Lucien rose as well. “What about dinner? You said you would have dinner with him. We can have something within a few minutes.” He implored with his gaze.

“Will you stay for dinner, Mama? I am not quite as brave as I thought.” Her son spoke in a hushed tone, but Lucien heard.

“I will stay for dinner. Then you need to go to bed.”

“Will you show him how to tuck me in? He might not do it right.” Bryn spoke as if that were a cardinal sin.

“Your papa is a very smart man. I’m sure he will learn the proper way to tuck in little boys.”

“With your help, Mama, maybe he will learn. It’s just that you’ve done it much longer and I know you do it the proper way.”

Bryn tucked his hand into Lucien’s and led him to the door, chatting about the ‘proper’ way to tuck a boy in.

* * * *

Two hours later Lucien told their son a story, after tucking him in, the proper way, while Ciara stood in the doorway.

“Mama?”

“Yes, baby?” She approached and stood next to Lucien who still sat on the bed.

“I love you, Mama.”

“I love you too, baby. Goodnight. Have fun tomorrow. Mind your father and…”

“Mama. I will.” His lower lip trembled. He spoke with rapid fire to his mother in a language Lucien couldn’t understand, as a tear leaked out of the corner of his eye.

Ciara leaned over and wiped the tear away. Rising, she placed her whiskey gaze on Lucien as she answered in English, “Aye, Bryn. I trust him. I trust him with my life.” Then she leaned over to give her son one more kiss and she was gone.

Lucien said goodnight to his son and as he left the room he comprehended what Bryn had asked his mother. Did she trust him? She’d said yes, which banished the last bit of fear her son had about staying with him.

He strode down the stairs, hoping to catch her. She was swinging up into her saddle when he did.

“Ciara. Wait.”

“What is it, Wolf? I have to go.” Her voice was tight, controlled.

“Thank you for that. You could have taken him from me forever. Instead, you gave him the strength to stay with me.”

“He is your son as well.” She wheeled Artemis around and rode off without a backward glance.