Page 20 of The Twelve Days of Love

Chapter Six

Luke and Boyd hatched their plans, with Luke taking Boy to the cottage of the Fairhaven steward. Lakeby was finishing up his breakfast when they arrived.

“Go to the main house and send Simms and Welch to me,” he instructed the steward. “Tell them to speak to no one. Then go to your office as usual. You didn’t see either of us.”

Lakeby looked slightly puzzled by the instructions but said, “Of course, my lord.”

Once the steward left, Luke told Boyd, “You will remain here the rest of today. No going out. I don’t want you spotted by anyone. You will stay the night with Lakeby and he will bring you to the house for breakfast tomorrow morning.”

Doubt flickered in Boyd’s eyes. “Are you sure about this? Springing me on Lady Mayfield like that, in front of all your children?”

Luke placed both hands firmly on Boyd’s shoulders. “Your mama will love you unconditionally, Boyd. As will your siblings. The one thing that is most important to a St. Clair is family. Do you understand?”

His new son swallowed. “I do.”

“Good. Let me tell you about everyone. You may know some of what I share since you have observed us for a few years.”

Boyd grinned. “You mean I spied upon you?”

He laughed and then launched into telling Boyd all about Caroline and the other four children, as well as telling the boy about his four St. Clair siblings.

Boyd’s eyes widened. “So, you never knew about the two bastards—and yet you welcomed them?”

“Laurel and Hudson are St. Clairs. That means they are family. It doesn’t matter that we didn’t grow up together. We know about each other now and are all close.”

His son shook his head in amazement. “You St. Clairs are an unusual bunch.”

Luke ruffled Boyd’s hair. “And you are one of us now.”

His servants arrived and Luke proudly said, “I would like to introduce you to my new son, Boyd St. Clair. Boyd, this is Welch, our butler, and Simms, my valet.”

He watched the boy carefully as he gave his instructions to the two men.

“Simms, you are in charge of cleaning Boyd up. He will also need clothing. I will send a note today to my London tailor to come down and measure him. In the meantime, go through the trunks we have and see if there is anything suitable for Boyd to wear for the next few days. You should be able to find something of mine and His Grace’s from years past.”

He turned to Boyd. “It may not be stylish but it will be clean and serviceable.”

“It may take more than one bath, my lord,” Simms said. “The grime is deep.”

“Give Boyd as many baths as it takes, Simms. Scrub him and let him soak while you return to Fairhaven and search for appropriate clothing for him. Then if he needs another bath, see to it. I want him looking and smelling sweeter than a rose.”

The three men laughed as Boyd wrinkled his nose in disgust.

Turning to his butler, Luke said, “This will need to be done very quietly, Welch. Boyd’s room will need to be prepared.”

“A room?” the boy said. “A whole room—for me?”

“Of course, you will have your own room. It will be located near your brothers and sisters. Remember, you’ll need to keep a watchful eye on them and see that they don’t get into too much mischief.”

Tears formed in Boyd’s eyes and his gaze fell to the ground.

“Have the room cleaned and aired, Welch,” Luke continued. “Also, see that another place is set in the schoolroom at breakfast tomorrow. That is where Boyd will be meet his new family. If you can think of anything else, take care of it.”

“Of course, my lord,” Welch said smoothly, his usual, unflappable self.

“Not a word of him to anyone,” he cautioned. “This will be a surprise to Lady Mayfield. It will be the last of the twelve days of her Christmas gifts.”

Welch left the cottage and Simms began heating water for a bath.

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