“Will that be safe?” Freddy’s bottom lip wobbled. “I w-wish I could help you. I w-wish I was normal and not sickly. I’m sorry to b-be a burden—”
“Hush.”
Awkwardly, Gabriel tucked the boy’s tousled head against his shoulder. As his son’s small form shuddered with sobs, he felt an odd tightness in his throat. He remembered what Thea had said to him days ago.He’s afraid of disappointing you… he wants your approval more than anything.
At the time, he’d snapped at her for daring to interfere. Now he wondered how he could have been so blind. Years he’d spent safeguarding Freddy’s physical wellbeing, worrying about the boy’s fits. He’d never suspected that his son might be hurting in other ways.
When the crying subsided, Gabriel gently but firmly took his son by the shoulders. “You are not a burden, Frederick. You are my son and heir.”
“I still wish I could help.” Freddy let out a quivering breath. “Be useful for once.”
Gabriel thought quickly. “But you will be useful. You have a part to play as well.”
“What can I do?” Freddy said doubtfully.
“Your role is an important one. While the others and I are out capturing the villain, you will be the man of the house. You’re to protect Miss Kent and the duchess in my absence,” Gabriel said in solemn tones. “Would you be willing to do that for me, son?”
Freddy’s lashes lifted. “I’m to protect the ladies? Me?”
Him—along with the coterie of guards posted outside the Strathaven residence. But Freddy didn’t have to know that.
“Now Miss Kent, being a female, will likely be worried.” Selfishly, Gabriel found that he liked the idea of Thea fretting over him. “So you’ll have to be brave and put on a good face. You’ll have to set the example. It’s not an easy assignment. Do you think you’re up to taking it on?”
“Yes, Papa.” Freddy’s shoulders went back. “You can count on me.”
“Excellent.” He ruffled his son’s hair—and sensed another presence in the room. Turning his head, he saw Thea standing in the doorway with an armful of books. Their gazes locked, and the warmth in her eyes, her rosy blush, made him want to spirit her away somewhere. To have her all to himself.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, smiling. “I brought Freddy some new reading.”
“We were just talking about you, Miss Thea.” Freddy’s chest puffed out. “I’m to look after you and the ladies when Papa is out hunting down the villain.”
Thea went to the other side of the bed. Setting the volumes down on the coverlet, she brushed a wayward lock off Freddy’s forehead. “In that case, I shall feel extremely safe.”
Freddy beamed.
Gabriel looked at Thea over his son’s head. His heart seemed to be pounding too quickly, the rhythm as erratic as that of a schoolboy with his first crush. The unpleasant comparison jolted him.Don’t make the same mistakes,he told himself sternly.Set realistic expectations.
Freddy gave a sudden yawn.
“I believe it is time for your nap,” Gabriel said.
“Yes, Papa.”
“Miss Kent,” he said, “I was wondering if you’d care to take a turn in the garden?”
“I’d love to,” she said.
Her smile made him lose his train of thought. Offering her his arm, he strove to clear his head. To stay focused. This time around, he’d be damned if he let love get in the way of happiness.
Chapter Nineteen
Thea got permission from Emma to go for a short stroll out back with Gabriel.
She loved the garden, a masterpiece of manicured rosebushes that would make a lovely scene for a landscape painting. As they strolled along the pebbled path surrounded by hedges, she stole looks at Gabriel beneath her lashes. He was the perfect gentleman in a smoke grey cutaway and blue brocade waistcoat, the sun picking out the bronze in his austerely styled hair. He’d be a worthy subject of any portrait.
What was he thinking? she wondered. His features were once again schooled, free of the emotion she’d glimpsed when he’d held his son. Her throat thickened as she recalled that tender scene. So much lay beneath Gabriel’s stoicism.
As if she needed proof of that after last night. A swoony feeling stole over her. Goodness, he was a passionate man.
