“Join us,” Julianna invited him and then set Elias on his feet and took his hand. “We are going to feed our bellies.”
“I…” He had things to see to now that he was back. He was an earl with a pile of letters that needed to be read. He had engagements. Two this week, in fact!
“I do not know anyone in the great hall,” she confided in him. “Or how they will receive me. I admit I am a bit frightened.”
“You have nothing to fear from the men. You are my son’s caregiver. They know it…or they will when I tell them.”
She nodded and looked away, unsatisfied, and began toward the great hall.
He knew what she wanted but it wasn’t for the best. He argued with himself for another moment and then followed them.
The great hall was brimming with people, Highlanders and villagers alike. Julianna saw Molly and Beatrice and a few other women and stopped with Elias to bid them good morn. She didn’t seem shy or nervous around anyone.
Nicholas made his way to a raised table at the head of the great hall and sat down with Rauf.
It was his first appearance in what was as close to public as he wanted to get. Most had seen him full of hair since his return. They were all staring at him and what the hell was he doing? Watching her! They all saw him watching her. He could barely tear his gaze away. He almost didn’t care if he ever looked away again.
Perhaps most thought he could not look away from his son. But Julianna knew his gaze was level with hers. She looked away first. He dipped his gaze to Elias.
“My lord?”
He blinked away from his son and watched a lass approach the front of his table.
“I am Giselle. Youdoremember me, do you not? Mattie’s friend?”
He gave her almost all his attention, remembering for an instant why he didn’t like being around people.
The rest of his attention he gave to Julianna and Elias approaching a lower table behind her, where thirteen of his most fearsome warriors ate as if it were their last meal. Was that where she was going to sit? He thought she said she was afraid.
“Miss Feathers!” he called out, stopping her. “Bring my son here and sit with him.”
She looked so relieved he was tempted to smile at her. He didn’t. In fact, he scowled a little. This was how she would work her wiles on him.
He wasn’t going to sit by and let her round him up the way one of his sister-in-law’s reiver cousins rounded up someone else’s cattle.
“My lord,” Giselle interrupted. “I was wondering if I might tend to wee Elias. I would…”
Nicholas caught the dark, deadly glare Julianna cast her as she passed Mattie’s old friend on her way around the table to sit. Rauf sat on his right so Julianna walked around them and sat Elias on his left. Nicholas motioned for her to sit beside Elias then turned his flinty gaze on Giselle. He should be relieved to have someone else other than Julianna want to tend to his son. But Giselle hadn’t even noticed his son was entering the great hall. She hadn’t looked at him once. Where had she been when he was crying? And when Nicholas was hairy? And she thought Nicholas would give her charge…? What had Avice been like? He didn’t remember meeting her. Had he met her first? He was the worst excuse for a father. He would try to make it up to Elias.
“We are breaking fast,” he snarled at her. “Miss Feathers is to be my son’s governess, so if you would be so kind as to return to your seat…”
Her eyes filled with tears and she hurried away, sniffling. He watched her leave, satisfied that she wouldn’t try again. He turned to Julianna and she smiled at him. She looked away and he was certain he could actually feel his defenses crumbling.
It wasn’t long before Rauf rose from his seat and practically climbed over Nicholas’ shoulders to be a bother to his son. Elias pushed into Julianna’s side, wanting no part of the commander. Nicholas smiled.
“I was going to tell Elias about his lion heart.” She picked the boy up and set him in her lap when she realized he couldn’t see over the table from his seat.
“His lion heart?” Rauf asked while she laid a cloth over the babe’s lap.
“Aye,” she said and smiled at the boy. “Do you want to hear a story about the bravest man in all the kingdoms?”
Elias nodded, forgetting about everyone around him.
Nicholas’ heart beat furiously making him feel a little unsteady. If he had to sit here listening to how wonderful some man she knew was, he’d fling his plate into the hearth.
“He was born to fight many battles.” Her gaze found and caught his. He wasn’t able to look away. “I’m certain there have been volumes written about him that we have not yet discovered.” Her rich, sensual voice covered him in luxury. “He fought many dragons you and I will never have to face, and he had to fight quietly. Some people thought he was weak of heart and they were unkind to him.”
Was she speaking of him? His blood warmed in his veins when he realized she was.
