Page 72 of Her Tempting Traitor
Her uncle’s name was Bull, and Cassian had to shake his head at that. It seemed her family had a penchant for strange names. Bull… Was he a Lindsay as well? Bull Lindsay…
Cassian frowned, his grip on the banister tighter as he reached the bottom. Last night she’d shared something that had tickled his memory in the same way as her uncle’s name had just now. He’d spent fifteen years as an agent learning not to ignore those tickles…so why couldn’t he now remember what was important?
Because his woman had looked up and was smiling at him, a smile that wrapped around his heart—and his cock—andsqueezed.
A smile he wanted to see for the rest of his life.
“Miss Gabby!” Gus called, running from the stairs toward her as Cassian followed at a more sedate pace. “My tutor let me out early because the sun is shining. Da and I are going riding. Do you want to come with us?”
Surprise flickered across her face for a moment before she smiled widely at the boy. “I would like that very much. Would you—” She glanced up at Cassian. “Might I have a few moments to change?”
Seeing her again this close was too much for Cassian. He reached her and snagged her hand, pulling her closer as the footman rushed out the front door, presumably to post her letter and send her telegram.
Cassian pulled her against his side and wrapped an arm around her. Fook propriety. Fook what was expected. “As long as ye dinnae change too much,” he murmured, bending closer. “I like the way ye are.”
Gus smothered his giggle, and Gabby’s eyes grew wide before she chuckled and smacked his chest. “Imeantchange into a riding habit.”
Thinking of this morning, and how he’d woken her, Cassian waggled his brows. “Can I help?”
“Da,” his son huffed, rolling his eyes. “Yuck! I’m going out to the stables if you’re going to get all mushy.”
“Wecannotget mushy,” Gabby announced primly, although she was smiling up at Cassian when she said it, so he was somewhat mollified. “Not if we want to reach Fort William in time to see the oyster boats come in.”
“Yes!” Gus pumped his fist. “I want to see the oyster boats, Da! Can we ride south instead?”
Still grinning down at Gabby, Cassian shrugged. “Whatever ye want, laddie.”
It was an easy enough concession, since he had no exact plans for the day, but it made his son whoop in joy and that had been the point. In the months since coming to Inverlochy, Cassian had struggled to connect with Gus…perhaps because Cassian himself wasn’t certain he would be allowed to have a future with the lad.
And while there still was no actual certainty, he now felt…hopeful. Hopeful, for the first time since he’d woken in that hospital in Belfast.
All because of the woman now smiling up at him.
Gabby had been the one to show him what Gus really needed. She’d been the one to open his eyes to the lad’s talents and interests, so he could embrace them in turn. She’d been the one to help him when no one else could.
“Thank ye,” he whispered, and hoped she’d know what he was thanking her for.
With a soft smile, she pressed herself up on her toes to whisper, “I think my uncle will be able to help you—us.”
Us.Before Cassian could ask what she meant, she brushed a kiss across his lips, completely distracting him. Over too soon, it made him want to growl and bend over her, showing her exactly what a tongue was for. He loved that she wasn’t afraid to show affection like this, and in public.
Dare he hope that meant she cared for him the same way he cared for her?
But then Gabby was squirming from his hold. She gathered up her skirts and turned for the stairs, but then stopped suddenly and whirled back to them. “Oh, Gus!”
The lad perked up, clearly excited she was singling him out. When she held out her hand, he hurried to take it. She drew him closer to Cassian, while glancing about to ensure they were alone.
Very mysterious, and Cassian couldn’t help but smirk at his son’s eagerness.
Gabby bent her head, drawing them into her confidence, and Gus nearly vibrated with excitement as she whispered, “I need your help.”
“Mine?” squeaked Gus.
“Yes, both of you.” Her midnight eyes sparkled as she met Cassian’s gaze, and he loved how she was including his son. “I need to find a way to sneak into the elephant barn tonight. Ineedto examine Elizabeth and her baby.”
“Uncle Dickie won’t like it,” Cassian warned in an undertone. “He said only trained professionals are to see her.”
“That’s why Gabbyhasto examine Elizabeth!” Gus blurted, which made no sense.
