Page 26 of Her Tempting Traitor
This time, Cassian’s offended bristling was overrun by Gabby’s throaty laughter. “Fuss? Cassian Grey? Perhaps we are not speaking of the same man. He is not exactly the type to fuss over you or anyone, is he?”
“He’s a protector, Aunt Zilphia says.” Was…was it Cassian’s imagination, or was his sondefendinghim? “He likes to make sure everyone is cared for.”
Why in the hell were they spending so much time talking abouthim?
Gabby hummed again. “Yes, I suppose Icansee that. Your father is an interesting person. I wonder what he would do if we were to introduce him to Jerry here.”
“Probably wrinkle his nose.” Gus’s tone was light. “Llamas smell.”
“Llamas smell exactly the way they are supposed to. Does Steve stink as well?”
“I suppose he must not stink to Jerry. Steve hasn’t had the chance to make babies with Suzanne yet, because Jerry won’t leave him alone,” the boy said matter-of-factly. “Paul the stable master says Jerry fancies Steve.”
“Well, I am certain he’s a fine-looking llama,” announced Gabby, as Cassian inched forward, pleased with the turn of conversation away from himself. “I can imagine youwouldfancy him, Jerry, is that not right?”
Cassian heard his son’s irritated huff. “But Jerry is aboy.”
“Oh, that does not matter. Within a llama herd it is common to see males mounting other males. It is thought to be a show of dominance, rather than—like among humans—something born of affection.”
The pair of them came into view and Cassian halted, intrigued by her lesson and studiously ignoring the pain in his leg which wasn’t there. The leg, that was. Not the pain.
Gabby was leaning against a stall, cooing at a regal-looking mop of hair with teeth and an attitude, with Gus standing on the lowest rail, his elbows resting on the top one.
He was the one who hummed thoughtfully now. “I know some fish, like clownfish, change sexes. If the dominant female dies, the biggest male can become a lassie and lay eggs.”
“That is correct!” Cassian saw Gabby shoot the lad a proud grin. “It is a biological imperative, usually only seen in times of duress. Slipper limpets do something similar, although it is more difficult to tell with them.”
Gus chuckled along with her, evidence of shared knowledge Cassian had never heard before.
“Uncle Dickie has a book in his library about this.” Gus shifted his weight so he was facing Gabby. “It said that sometimes a hen can become confused, if her…her lady bits are damaged or underformed, and she starts acting like a rooster. I don’t think she can have babies though. It’s not herm…hermaphrodismthough, just a functional sex change.”
Stunned, Cassian pressed himself against the wall, hoping to hear more. The fact his sonknewthat was remarkable, and he couldn’t help but be impressed.
When had his wee laddie grown so much?
“You are entirely correct, young sir, and I love to hear that you have been reading your Messerschmitt—he is an expert in the field.” He could see her switch her strokes to the back of the animal’s head. “Oh, you like to be scratched there?” She tipped her head to one side to include the lad. “You see, Gus, very few animals will resist a scratch behind the ears.”
“My father calls me Gus.”
Cassian watched Gabby freeze for a moment, then begin her llama-scratching again. “I heard him call you that. Do you mind if I do as well?”
The lad shrugged. “I guess not.”
And that was when Cassian realized his heart had hiccupped.
He shifted forward silently, knowing damn well he was eavesdropping, but this was a conversation between two people he very much wanted to know more about.
“Is your father the only one who calls you Gus?” Gabby asked, too mildly.
Cassian realized he was holding his breath, waiting for his son to answer.
“My mother called me Augustus,” the lad finally said. “She died when I was six, so I don’t remember her well. Uncle Dickie is her uncle, really, and he calls me Augustus too.”
Gabby hummed thoughtfully. “Well, sometimes it is important for the ones we love most to have special nicknames for us.”
Gus’s snort was immediate. “My father doesn’t love me. I’m just an obligation to him.”
Cassian had already straightened and was reaching forward to approach his son when Gabby swung on the lad, surprise on her face. “What makes you say that?”
