Page 2 of The Duke’s Sharpshooter (The Duke’s Guard #14)
Flaherty sensed that there was something more the lass was leaving out. “Begging yer pardon, Miss Madeline. Ye see, cailín is Irish Gaelic meaning ‘young girl.’”
The tiny lass wrinkled her nose. “My name’s Maddy.”
Charmed, Flaherty smiled. “’Tis a lovely name—sounds similar to the duke’s housekeeper. Her name’s Merry. You’ll like her, and Constance, too.”
“Who’s Constance?”
“The duke’s cook. She has a fine hand with sweets. Lavender scones are a favorite of Her Grace and her twins, Richard and Abigail. But they’re half yer age.”
Maddy’s little face scrunched up. “Half?”
“Aye, Miss Maddy. If ye had one kitten for each one of yer years, ye’d have four kittens.” She nodded, and he continued, “Half that would be just two kittens—one for each hand.”
The little darling batted her eyelashes at him. “I always wanted a kitten. Mum said no.”
“Well now, one of the cats that lives in the stables just had a litter of kittens. Three orange-and-white-striped ones, and one tiny black one. ’Tis the runt of the litter.” Before the inquisitive tot asked, he explained, “The smallest of the bunch.”
“Could I see them?”
From Temperance’s frown, Flaherty expected her to say no. “Mayhap. First we need to count how many coins we have left. If I don’t find a position soon, we’ll have to push on to the next village.”
“Here now, let me take ye to the inn for that tea and cake. As me ma’s fond of reminding meself and me brothers, ’tisn’t wise to make any decisions on an empty belly.
I’ve a mile more to go on patrol before I head back into town.
I’ll stop at the inn on me way back and take ye with me to Wyndmere Hall.
No one will bother ye if they know ye’re under me protection, but there are those in the village who are wary of vagrants. ”
The threat of being apprehended for being homeless or jobless sparked her temper. “I’m not a vagabond!” As if she regretted raising her voice to him, she added more quietly, “I would not want to put you out, Mr. Flaherty.”
“I’d rather know the two of ye were safe and sound, warm and dry at the inn, than being mistakenly identified and hauled before the constable.”
“But wasn’t that what you threatened a few moments ago?”
She had him there. “Aye, but that was before I knew ye weren’t armed and hiding a dangerous weapon.”
The lass sighed. “Thank you for your concern, but Madeline—”
“Maddy,” her spitfire of a daughter reminded her.
“Maddy is dry, but I’m soaked, and do not believe we would be welcomed at the inn.”
“Ah, there’s where ye’d be wrong then, lass,” Flaherty replied. “The hostler, Scruggs, is a friend and has a soft spot for little ones and horses. The innkeeper is a fair man who is known for his hospitality.”
Maddy patted her mother’s face and reminded her, “I’m hungry, Mum.”
“It’ll be me treat for two lovely, damp lasses on a soft spring morning.”
“It’s cold and raining,” Maddy complained.
“Rain makes it a lovely morning. The flowers will be drinking it up, and when the sun comes out, they’ll be opening their blossoms to show them off. If ye wait right here, I’ll whistle for me horse. The lad is partial to little ones and would be honored to give ye a ride to the inn.”
“It’s not that far a walk,” Temperance protested.
“I thought ye were too tired to walk. Isn’t that why I found ye sitting here in the rain?”
She shrugged.
He would wager—and win—that her reason for leaving the inn had more to do with the fact that she and her little girl were traveling without an escort than a lack of coin.
It would raise questions she might not be up to answering, especially if her husband had died recently.
More often than not there were folks who judged a woman alone harshly, and a woman with a young child or babe harsher.
He’d be asking her the details later. For now, he intended to see them settled at a table near the fire in the inn’s taproom. “Leave it to me—I’ll see that ye have tea and cake, or whatever yer mum feels is best.”
“Cake!”
When Maddy’s mother did not answer right away, he said, “Cake it is, Miss Maddy.” He whistled for his horse, chuckling when the ladies gushed over how smart and handsome the gelding was. “Shall I set ye on me horse first, while Maddy stands beside me, or Maddy first?”
“Maddy first,” Temperance said.
He nodded and told his horse to be still, while he lifted the little one onto the animal’s back. “Now then, Miss Maddy, grab hold of the saddle, while I help yer ma up.”
“I can manage,” Temperance insisted.
“I don’t doubt it, but me horse is used to me movements, not the excess fabric of yer cloak and gown fluttering against him.
If it’s me ye’re skittish about, ye have no worries.
Me ma would have me hide if I forgot me manners or mistreated a lady.
” He put his hands around her too-thin waist and decided he’d order a full breakfast for the both of them. “Up ye go.”
After he’d settled them on his horse, he praised the animal, “There’s a lad. We’ll detour back to the inn, settle the lasses inside, finish up our rounds, stop back, and take them to meet the duke.”
“Oh, but I never said we’d go with you to Wyndmere Hall,” Temperance protested.
“Don’t ye want Miss Maddy to meet Merry and Constance?”
“Another time. I need to secure a position first.”
The desperation underlying her tone told Flaherty all he needed to know. They were likely down to their last few coins. They weren’t vagrants as long as they had a few in their pockets, but he had a feeling they had been treated warily—mayhap even badly.
“I’ll introduce ye to Scruggs first, as he’ll want to spoil me horse with an apple, as he does every time I pass through the village on patrol. After we get ye settled by the fire with a meal and hot tea, we’ll ask the innkeeper if he needs kitchen help.”
“Thank you, Mr. Flaherty.”
“Ye’d be welcome, lass, and it’s just Flaherty.” He walked his horse to the inn, grateful the rain had let up. He was worried about the lass and her little girl.
“What have you got there, Flaherty?” Scruggs called out as he led his horse into the innyard.
“Mrs. Johnson and her daughter, Maddy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, missus—and you too, Maddy.”
Flaherty pitched his voice low, so only the hostler would hear. “They’re under me protection, Scruggs, and that of His Grace. Will ye keep an eye on them for me while I make the loop around and return for them? I wouldn’t want anyone accusing them of being vagabonds.”
Scruggs squared his shoulders and gave a nod. “I understand. You can count on me.”
Relief filled Flaherty. He’d known he could rely on the honest hostler.
“They’re chilled to the bone. I’d appreciate it if the innkeeper or his sister would sit them by the fire and serve them tea and breakfast. ’Tis on me.
” Flaherty reached into his waistcoat pocket, withdrew a few coins, and handed them to Scruggs.
“I have a mile or so to go to finish me patrol, then I’ll swing back to pick them up and take them on to Wyndmere Hall. ”
Scruggs nodded toward the side of the inn. “Harkness is settling an issue with a delivery of ale. I’ll let Miss Susana know.”
Flaherty nodded and turned to smile at the little girl. “Hold on tight to the saddle while I help yer ma down.”
The wee one nodded.
This time when he wrapped his hands around Temperance’s waist, she stiffened and he shifted in his hold.
Bollocks , he could feel her ribs! This widow needed his help, whether she knew it or not, wanted it or not.
“Easy now, lass,” he soothed. “Let me help yer little cailín down.” Maddy held out her arms and giggled.
“Aye, ye’re a charmer for sure, lass, just like yer ma. ”
He passed the little girl into her mother’s arms. “Now then, I’m sure ye heard me asking Scruggs to take care of ye while I’m gone. I won’t be more than three-quarters of an hour. Time enough for ye to warm up next to the fire and fill yer bellies.”
“Oh, but I don’t—”
“I’ve already taken care of it,” Flaherty interrupted. Holding her worried gaze, he continued, “Scruggs here will see to it that Harkness and his sister know that ye’re under me protection and that of His Grace. They’ll take good care of yerself and little Miss Maddy.”
Watching Scruggs escort them to the inn, he patted his horse’s neck. “Now then, laddie, ye’ll have a bit of a wait for the cup of oats I promised.” Fine animal that he was, the gelding lifted his head and whinnied. “Good lad.” Flaherty mounted and rode off.