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“When I get back, you and I will talk. Warrior to warrior. All right?”
Ewan stared at him a long moment, dried his eyes on his sleeve, and nodded. Reaching out, he took back the sword. “You said, ‘when I get back.’”
Dominic managed a firm smile. “Aye.”
“Where are you going?”
He refused to let his smile waver as his gaze slid up Gisela’s arm and bodice to meet her worried gaze. “Your mother and I need to finish our discussion.”
Her throat moved with a swallow. “Later, mayhap—”
“Now.”
His growled order clearly shocked her. Her spine stiffened. Her hand stilled on Ewan’s shoulder. How Dominic hated speaking harshly to her. Yet, no longer could he hold back the bloody thorns of emotion stabbing him.
He yanked up his tunic sleeve and tied the bit of silk around his wrist, tucking the ends under so they did not dangle. Spinning on his heel, he faced Ada. “You will stay with Ewan.”
Her eyebrows arched. “Will I?” Her lips pursed. “Ye may be a lord, and ye may well ’ave me ’ead fer speakin’ me mind, but ye are a bossy, arrogant, no-good—”
Raising the edge of his tunic, Dominic withdrew a small, leather pouch. It jingled as he drew apart the top and turned it upside down. Silver coins spilled into his palm.
Ada gaped. Her mouth worked several times without emitting a sound. Then, she scowled. “Oh, ye are devious. Ye try ta bribe me, now?”
“Nay, good woman. I pay you to look after Ewan while his mother and I go for a walk.”
A soft rustle alerted him that Gisela no longer stood motionless. He sensed her scrambling to think of a way out of her predicament. One she’d brought upon herself.
Anger lanced through him. She should have told him the truth days ago.
Dominic reached out, caught one of Ada’s hands, and dropped the coins into it. “Until we return.”
Ada’s gaze shifted from the coins to a point past his shoulder. No doubt she exchanged glances with Gisela. “But—”
“Good. ’Tis settled.” Dominic turned back to face Gisela, who appeared to be edging inside the house. “Fetch your cloak.”
Resistance glinted in her gaze. “Will we be long?”
He almost laughed at her challenging tone. “That depends on you.” And, God help me, what I decide to do with you, Sweet Daisy, once I know the truth. Not just what you wish to tell me, but all of it, right down to the last, sordid detail.
Her mouth pressed into a stubborn line, but she reached out, took her cloak down from its peg, and pulled the wool about her shoulders.
“Where are you going?” Ewan looked up at him. Concern shone in the little boy’s eyes.
“Not far.” Dominic ruffled the boy’s hair.
“Why do you look angry?” Ewan shuffled his feet. “You look like you are going to shout. Like Father.”
Dominic grimaced. Never did he wish to be compared to Gisela’s former husband.
“Ewan—”
“I do not like it when you look so. It makes my tummy go squishy.”
Squishy? Dominic suppressed a groan. “Your mama and I need to clarify some issues. Then, I hope not to be so… annoyed.”
Gisela crossed to his side, garbed in her cloak. She yanked the hood up into place.
Dominic reached out to tuck in a stray length of her hair. “Walk by my side, as though we are associates taking a casual evening stroll.”
