Henry's face lit with joy. He wrapped his tiny arms around her legs and squeezed tightly, pressing his face against her thigh. “I will, I promise. Thank you, Mama.”
She reached down to ruffle his hair. “You’re welcome, dearest.”
Henry released his hold on Daphne. She smiled down at him before nodding to Alex, then turned toward the keep.
Alex watched, captivated, as the woman moved gracefully through the bailey. Her muslin skirts swished around her in time with her steps, revealing the subtle curves of her hips and bottom and the silhouette of her long legs against the fabric. He felt a sudden possessiveness that made him want to take her in his arms and teach her how powerful a tool her beauty was – something he was determined to do.
“I don’t think Mama likes you very much.”
Alex sighed and ran a hand through his thick hair, pausing for a moment before turning to Henry with a serious look on his face. “Perhaps not, but I suspect that isn’t the case at all.”
The boy's eyes widened in confusion and a barely perceptible frown tugged on the corners of his mouth as he processed Alex's words. “Why do you say that?” he asked.
A gentle smile crossed Alex's lips. “Ask me again when you are older. Right now, let us get to work.” He winked and headed toward the gatehouse, motioning for Henry to follow.
Henry followed Alex. With his curious blue eyes alight, he asked, “How much older?”
Alex chuckled at the boy's tenacity. "Perhaps I shall explain it when you are old enough to go away to school."
"That might never happen." Henry's shoulders slumped. "Mama says she will find the money to send me to Eton, but I don't think she can."
Alex rubbed his hand over his jaw as he absorbed this new information. It seemed odd to him that Daphne should have to fret over sending her son to school. She was a lady after all, and from a prominent family. She had married Rebecca's brother the former Viscount Gilford. Did her husband not plan for their future? Even if he failed to provide for them, wouldn't Henry's grandparents step in to see to his needs? He smiled at Henry. "Surely Lord Chesterfield will see to your education."
Henry shook his head, his sandy-brown hair brushing across his forehead. “Mama says Grandpa and Grandma have done more than enough for us. It’s not right to keep accepting their charity.”
“Nonsense. They are your family,” Alex said. "I would wager Lord Chesterfield already has plans in place. He would not allow the current Viscount Gilford, his only grandson, to go without a proper education."
The boy’s eyes seemed to take on an air of maturity as he weighed Alex's words. He cocked his head to one side, then gave a weak grin. "Perhaps you are correct, but Mama is determined to make our own way in life." Henry averted his gaze and when he returned it to Alex, a spark lit the blue of his irises. "I know it is not befitting of my station, but perhaps if I work hard today you can pay me?"
"I would have insisted." Alex reached out and ruffled the boy's hair. In truth, he never would have thought about doing so if Henry hadn't suggested it, but he would be happy to pay him all the same. Unfortunately, he could not pay him enough to solve Daphne's problems—not without her calling it charity and tossing the funds back in his face.
A spark of an idea ignited in his mind, slowly at first until it morphed into a plan. One that would allow them all to gain what they needed—or in his case, wanted. A course of action that would ensure they all won.
“Are you going to give me instructions?” Henry’s voice broke through Alex’s thoughts. “Or are we going to stand idle all day?”
At the sound of Henry’s voice, Alex snapped back to the present. His lips curled in amusement as he watched the young viscount, arms crossed and tapping a foot impatiently. Alex chuckled at the imp’s tactics and he determined he rather liked the little viscount. It would be his honor to assist Henry in any way he could.
Alex found a crack in the stone of the gatehouse and pointed to it. "We are inspecting the stones for damage. This here is nothing of concern for it can be easily mended. However," he moved his hand pointing to a hole the wall, "This is a great deal of damage and must be repaired."
Henry studied the wall, his gaze roaming across the stones before turning to Alex. “Is Uncle Camden planning to knock it down?”
“No.” Alex placed a hand on Henry’s shoulder. “He’s going to restore it so that Almerry is once again a great fortress.”
A conspiratorial grin spread across Henry's lips. "Almerry is already great."
"Well, your uncle is going to make it even better."
“If you say so.” Henry arched one brow, skepticism shining in his gaze.
Alex pointed to a spot where the sandstone wall was giving way to time. “Our job is to find the weak spots.”
“Can you keep a secret, Alex?” Henry asked with mischief in his gaze.
“On my honor, I can.”
Henry seemed to be taking his measure as he stared into Alex’s eyes. Then he spoke in a low voice. “I have often snuck over here to play. I can show you where all of the crumbling bits are.”
Alex was struck by how much Henry reminded him of himself as a boy. Innocent and trusting with a propensity for mischief. If he had a heart, the lad would no doubt warm his way into it, and perhaps his mother would as well.
