Page 27 of Be My Traitor

“No, I didn’t,” Lucas said.

“You can’t mean you painted it yourself?” I did a double take.

“Is it so hard to believe?”

“Well… yes.”

“Penelope said it was important for me to have an understanding of the arts, both in theory and practice,” Lucas told me. “So, she hired a number of tutors to teach me music, art, and drama. In another life, maybe I would have studied art at university instead of being sucked into House politics and an early marriage. I don’t get much time to paint these days, so it was a real honour being able to paint something for Amber. It was nice to put those skills to use for a change.”

“You are a dark horse,” I murmured as Amber ran out and threw herself at Lucas. She squeezed his legs tightly in a bear hug.

“Ilovemy bedroom, Daddy,” she said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I want to stay in it forever and ever.”

I looked at Lucas and arched an eyebrow.

“I think Mummy might have something to say about that,” said Lucas. “But you can come and stay here whenever you like. And if there’s anything you want me to change, you just have to tell me.”

“Nope.” Amber shook her head violently. “I’m never going to change a single thing.”

I suspected that might change when she was a few years older, but it was sweet seeing how happy Amber was and although I was annoyed that Lucas was going back on his wish to not spoil her, I could understand why he’d done it. If it got this kind of reaction from his daughter, it made sense that Lucas would want to bond with her through interior design.

“Are you ready for your next surprise?” Lucas asked.

“What is it, Daddy?” Amber bounced up and down, clapping her hands.

“It’s outside. Come and see.”

Amber took Lucas’s hand and the two of them ran downstairs. “Keep up, Mummy!” Amber called over her shoulder and I dutifully hurried after them.

Lucas went through one of the closed doors in the reception room which opened into a kitchen. He went to a door opposite and unlocked it, taking Amber out into the back garden.

Her squeal of delight practically made my ears bleed.

“Apony??”

“Oh, you didn’t.” I shook my head. This was a step too far.

“Doesn’t every little girl want a pony?” Lucas grinned at me.

“Yes – until that little girl discovers how much hard work they are,” I pointed out. “Have you any idea how many hours those things need?”

Lucas’s face fell a little. “I thought it would do Amber good to have some responsibility.”

“She’sfour, Lucas. She’s a bit too young for that kind of responsibility.” I folded my arms.

“All right. So I’ll hire someone to look after it.”

“Which then means that your little secret hideaway won’t be so secret anymore.”

“I’ll make them sign an NDA.”

“Lucas, you can’t keep a secret pony! It’s not going to work. You’re going to have to get rid of it.”

“It’ll break Amber’s heart.” Lucas gestured to where Amber was stroking the pony’s nose. It was a sweet little thing, brown with a sandy coloured mane, and it seemed very friendly, content to stand at the edge of the enclosure while Amber cooed over it.

“That’s not my problem, Lucas. You were the one who bought the pony. You’re the one who’s going to have to deal with it.”

Lucas sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll figure something out,” he said at last. “Still, the pony’s here now, so we might as well make the most of it.” He raised his voice. “Hey, Amber! Do you want to go for a ride?”

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