He smoothed the hair back from the lad’s pale face. “You’re never a burden, my boy. Don’t ever think that.”
Tears shimmered in Kade’s gaze for a moment before he blinked them away. “I’m so happy you hired Miss Knight. She seems awfully nice.” He grinned. “And very pretty, don’t you think?”
“And much too old for the likes of you,” Nick said with mock severity.
Kade laughed. “I’m just teasing. But when do you think we can begin my lessons?”
“Soon enough. There’s no rush.” The only rush was on the part of his erstwhile governess, who was champing at the bit to escape Kinglas.
His brother snaked a hand out from under the covers and grabbed his fingers in a convulsive grip. “I need to get back to work, Nick. Ineedmy music.”
Music had always been Kade’s comfort and refuge. Clearly, he needed that comfort now more than ever. “I understand,” Nick said gently.
“Then you’ll speak to Miss Knight about getting started as soon as possible?” Kade’s eyes pleaded with such eagerness it broke Nick’s heart.
“I’ll take care of it,” he replied, leaving it vague.
“That’ll be better for my health than anything, I just know it,” Kade said in a pious tone.
“Now you’re just trying to manipulate me.”
“Is it working?”
Nick patted his brother’s hand and then placed it back under the covers. “Yes. I’ll talk to Miss Knight about when you can begin your studies.”
Perhaps after you manage to convince her to stay?
And that, of course, meant he had to convince his family to stop acting like blockheads.
Kade sighed with relief as he slumped down on the thick pile of pillows. “Thank you. And thank you for bringing me home.”
He heard the catch in the boy’s voice. “Lad, you know you can always talk to me, don’t you? About anything that troubles or concerns you.”
When Kade’s gaze darted off to the side, Nick had to tamp down his frustration.
“Of course. But don’t worry, Nick. Nothing’s wrong now that I’m home,” he finally said, peering at the heavy velvet bed curtains as if he’d never seen them before.
Nick was debating whether to push him a bit more when the door opened and Taffy came in, followed by a footman carrying a tray of covered dishes.
“Now, Master Kade,” she said. “You’ll be having some breakfast and then a nice little nap, won’t you?”
“I don’t think I have a choice,” Kade said, glancing up at Nick.
“No, you don’t,” Nick said. “And I expect to hear from Taffy that you ate all of your breakfast.”
The housekeeper uncovered dishes of coddled eggs, toast, and scones with jam, but Kade eyed it all with distaste. “I’m not very hungry these days. Sometimes it seems like too much trouble to eat.”
Jesus.“You just need some good, Highland food,” Nick said, keeping his voice level.
“That’s right,” Taffy said, casting Nick a quick, worried look as she began preparing a plate. “Now, Laird, I’ve had breakfast brought to your library. The others are waiting for you there.”
Nick knew a dismissal when he heard one. “Yes, Taffy.” He ruffled his brother’s hair. “I’ll come up and see you later, brat.”
When he reached the door, he glanced back. His brother looked so small and frail, swallowed up by a heap of bed linens and blankets. Fear wrapped an icy hand around his heart, and he grabbed the door frame, feeling slightly dizzy.
Get a grip, man.He could not afford to panic, especially when Kade’s health was at stake.
His brother glanced up from the tray on his lap and gave him a cheery little wave. “See you later.”
