Page 21 of Her Tempting Traitor
“When were ye with him?” the man suddenly barked, taking an aborted step closer, his elbow tucked tight against his side as if he was trying not to reach for her. “Was he?—”
Whatever question he’d been about to ask was cut off when he abruptly pressed his lips together.
Cocking her head to one side, Gabby studied him as though examining a prize alligator which had a toothache. The questions seemed rooted in…worry? She could understand that. “Sir Richard has forbidden me—several times—from working with his elephant, but there have been a few other animals that needed my attentions. One of the zebras had an old injury to his leg that had abscessed, and when I went to treat it, I found Augustus in his stall.”
“Gus was alone with an injured beast?”
How was it possible that when he frowned, he became even more handsome?
It was the worry in his eyes that told her she needed to respond to his question, not the way his wide mouth looked so inviting with those lips pressed together…
Gabby lifted her chin to defend her new young friend. “Your son is a competent and caring lad. He was bathing the abscess with soapy water—a well-reasoned step, frankly—and listened carefully as I explained the poultice I was making. He was in no danger.”
Was it her imagination, or did his shoulders slump slightly? Relief, perhaps?
Cassian turned away slightly, his gaze flicking to the lamp, and she wondered if he was hiding his reaction from her. A spy would be used to doing that sort of thing, would he not?
Push him. She was here to find out more about him, was she not? And she was alone with him now, and he was emotional—vulnerable. A prime opportunity.
“You said he has reason to be angry with you.” That wasn’t quite what he said, but Gabby gave into temptation and placed her hand on his arm in an attempt to distract him. “Why would Augustus—Gusnot wish to brag about you?”
It had been a struggle to get those words past her throat which was suddenly in danger of closing up, thanks to her body’s ridiculous reaction to touching his bare skin. There was a sprinkling of hairs on his arm, coarse and wiry, that made her want to drag her fingertips along his skin, feel the roughness, luxuriate in it…
Unfortunately Cassian had stiffened when she touched him, the muscles of his forearm clenching. If anything, though, it made her want to strengthen her hold on him as she watched him.
The skin around his eyes tightened, as if considering hiswords, before he finally met her gaze. “I was gone through most of his childhood.”
“Your work for the Crown.” Gabby tried to sound knowing as she nodded. “You were doing vital work.”Evilwork, if he’d been a traitor all this time.
“I spent most of my time…in other countries. Abroad, far away. Away from normal means of communication.”
Undercover. She nodded again, and this time tried a little stroke of his arm. She told herself she was trying to keep him calm, make it look as if she believed him. Not because she wanted to feel his corded muscles.
To her surprise, Cassian offered more. “I was no’ in Gus’s life often…when he was growing up. Being back now has caused him…confusion.”
She’d seen that confusion in the stables, and the anger too. The strange thing was, she was seeing the mirror of it now. “He is still young,” Gabby offered softly. “He will grow to understand your reasons for being away.”
It wasn’t until Cassian turned hope-tinged blue eyes her way that she realized she’d said it to comfort him. To bring him hope.
And without any thought of his treachery.
“Do ye…” With a little snort, he looked away, but made no move to remove his arm from her touch. “He says he hates me. I can understand why, but I’d hoped…” He shook his head, his shoulders lifting briefly in what might have been a laugh. “I’m trying to do what’s best for him, but I’m no’ a verra good father, I’m afraid.”
Really?Gabby hummed.Murderers and traitors don’t make good fathers?
But it was obvious that he genuinely loved Augustus and wanted what was best for the boy, no matter what the future brought.
Did those men he killed, the men who trusted him, have children?
“Everything I have seen of you says the opposite, Cassian. You might not know what you are doing, but you aretrying, which surely must count for something. Perhaps for more.”
There was a flash of bright blue from under his lashes as he glanced at her. “Aye?”
Did he…did hecarewhat she thought? Her fingers tightened on his arm as she swallowed, realizing the enormity of that one syllable.
If he were asking for her opinion, he was showing vulnerability, sharing his struggles. Did he…trusther? Trust her enough to share this small part of himself?
Gabby was struck by the sudden thought that it would beverytempting to trust Cassian’s good intentions. To see the goodness inhim.
