Lachlan nodded.
Had Stanbury been good to the lad? He must have been if the lad missed him and grew sad about his passing.
Once they were back atDraughon, he would discuss it with her. And he'd stop at naught but the truth.
But what if the lad wasn't his? What if he'd imagined all the similarities? He couldn't have if even Lachlan saw it.
"You noticed the resemblance?" Rebbie asked, just to be certain, keeping his voice low.
"Of course. A man would have to be blind not to. His eyes, his wee face. The way he grins just like you." Lachlan shrugged.
Aye, had to be.Rebbie'seyes were not playing tricks on him.
The coach in front of them drew to a stop and, a moment later, Calla helped Jamie out.
Rebbie rode toward them. "What's going on?"
"He has to… make use of the bushes." She rushed the lad into the vegetation beside the road.
Not knowing whether to laugh or gnash his teeth, Rebbie shook his head and dismounted to wait for them. Calla took him herself rather than sending the servant to do the dirty work? Saints, 'twas easy to see she loved the lad more than life itself. That knowledge made his chest ache, for the lad was a part of him, surely.
Moments later, they emerged from the bushes, Jamie tilting his head back and peering up at Rebbie and Devil. "Will you take me for a ride on your horse?" Jamie's high-pitched voice clawed atRebbie'sheart. So damned adorable, Rebbie wanted to embrace him, lift him into the air and sit him atop his shoulder. But he couldn't do that. Not now.
"Jamie," Calla chided. "He doesn't have time for things like that."
He glared at her but she wisely kept her gaze on Jamie.
"Aye," Rebbie responded. "Once we get back toDraughon, I'll take you for a ride."
"You will?" Jamie squealed and jumped up and down.
Unable to help himself, Rebbie grinned. "Do you like horses, lad?"
"Aye!'Tisthe biggest horse I ever saw. What's his name?"
"Devil."
The lad's eyes widened and his gaze darted with uncertainty to his ma.
"He's not a real devil," Rebbie said. "'Tisonly his name."
"Oh."
"'Tistime for us to get back into the coach." Calla guided the lad forward and Rebbie opened the door.
Observing the lad's hand, Rebbie noticed that Jamie's wee fingernails were the same shape as his own. Damnation. His stomach knotted. He was at once terrified and thrilled. He'd never truly imagined having children… because they went with marriage. And he'd never wanted to get married. He'd always told himself he wasn't the marrying kind, that he would marry when he inherited hisda'smarquesstitle.
Mayhap having a son wouldn't be such a horrible thing. Especially this wee lad. He was bright and had a good sense of humor. Plus, he had a natural love of horses, just as Rebbie did. He wasn't precocious and annoying like some spoiled aristocratic children he'd met.
Rebbie closed the door and mounted Devil.
Indeed, he was ready for some answers from Calla.
***
Back atDraughonCastle, everyone poured into the great hall.
"I thank you for allowing them to stay here for their protection," Rebbie said in a low voice to Lachlan. Although he was furious with Calla, he still wanted her and the lad to be safe.
