Gaston thought on his careful reply. “Your father is a prisoner, Dane. Do you know what that means?”
Dane nodded solemnly. “He’s in jail.”
“Correct, he is,” Gaston said. “And as long as Henry is our king, I do not believe that your father will ever return. Does this distress you?”
Dane pursed his lips in thought. “My father wasn’t very nice. I like you better. Will you stay here forever, then?”
Gaston gazed at the impish face, at Remington’s eyes. “I would like to, yes.”
“But what about me and my mother? Will you let us stay here with you?” he asked.
“If you would like to, I would be happy to have you stay,” Gaston said evenly.I would like you to be mine.
Dane’s brows drew together distressfully as he watched his line bob over the water. The more he stared, the more disturbed he became. Gaston tossed aside the blade of grass he was toying with and sat up.
“What’s the matter? Why do you look like that?” he asked.
Dane eyed Gaston hesitantly. “I…I wish you were my father. Am I bad for thinking that?”
Gaston’s heart went out to the little boy. He reached out a hand and put it on the sandy head, covering it completely. “Nay, lad, you are not bad. And I am flattered.”
“But you already have a son,” Dane said sadly.
Gaston tousled his hair. “A man can never have too many sons. I shall tell you what; we can pretend, can’t we? You can pretend that I am your father, and I shall pretend that you are my son. It will be our secret. Very well?”
“A knight’s secret,” Dane said eagerly.
“Exactly,” Gaston replied, standing up. “A secret between men.”
Dane grinned openly at him. “I won’t even tell my mother.”
“Good,” Gaston said with a sharp nod, his ache for Trenton somehow eased. “Now, I must be going. Do not stay out here too much longer; it is already growing grossly hot.”
“I won’t,” Dane promised.
Gaston gave the lad a wink and trudged off across the grass, back toward the keep. Dane watched him go, complete adoration shining in his young eyes.
The fatherless boy and the boyless father had a secret.
*
Remington met Gastonin the outer bailey. His heart jumped at the sight of her in the pale green surcoat, showing off her marvelous figure. By God, if she wasn’t a lovely sight. But her beautiful face was creased with distress.
“Have you seen Dane?” she asked. “No one seems to know where he is and….”
He put up a hand. “He is down at the lake, fishing. I have just come from him.”
She visibly relaxed. “Thank God. I was about to launch a search party.”
“No need, madam,” he took her arm gently and began to walk with her back toward the castle. “He likes to fish, does not he?”
“And why not?” she craned her neck to look at him. “It’s peaceful and serene, away from the chaos and horrors of Mt. Holyoak. It is his escape and I encourage it.”
Gaston was acutely aware of the stares from his soldiers around them and he felt himself bristle, but maintained his outward calm. “I will have Arik make him a better pole. The man is a master craftsman.”
She smiled. “That would be sweet. His birthday is coming in August, you know. It would be a wonderful present.”
“Done, then,” Gaston said, wanting to get her inside and away from lustful stares. Arik’s words suddenly rang true; what would happen to her if there were indeed a thousand soldiers lusting after her every move? Gaston could see a bloodbath coming, for he knew he would protect her at all costs. But the thought of sending her away tore at him.
