Page 10 of Much Ado About a Scot

Jamie nodded his acceptance of that statement, sending his curls bobbing against his cheeks. “Whatcha doing out here? Were you trying to play with Laird Graham? ’Cuz he doesn’t like to play. He frowns at me when I come over.”

It didn’t surprise Xander that Graham didn’t want visitors of any kind, even a three-year-old out looking for adventure. “Well, someone else is probably scared right now, and that’s your mother. She’ll be wondering where you are.”

Jamie took his hand. “You’re right. My mum worries.”

Xander could only imagine the troubles an adventurous lad would have found himself in while Isobel was busy working the land. “Let’s get you home.” Before heading toward the house, Xander returned to where he’d thrown the scythe aside and picked it up. There would be no further spying until later tonight. As they started back the way the little boy had come, a shout sounded in the distance.

“Jamie!” Isobel’s voice held not only fear but also panic.

Xander bent and scooped the boy into his arms. His stride could cover more ground faster. Running through the rye, it didn’t take long before Isobel appeared in the distance. At the sight of them, she brought her hands up to cover her chest and her body sagged with relief.

“You little scoundrel,” she chided as they came nearer. “One moment you were there, the next you were gone.” She bent down to greet Jamie.

Xander set Jamie on his feet and he hurled himself into his mother’s arms, burying his face in the crook of her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mummy.”

She stroked the little boy’s head. “It’s all right, love. But you need to stop running off alone like this. It’s dangerous.” Isobel’s gaze moved to the tear in his shirt, and although she didn’t ask what had happened, her gaze filled with curiosity. “I see you’ve met my son.” She turned the little boy around in her arms. “James, this is Xander Godric. My new husband.”

The little boy bowed his head. “Don’t dislike me, please, sir. I didn’t mean to be bad.”

“Why would he say such a thing?” Xander asked of Isobel with a frown.

Isobel’s face paled. “Ezra did not like having to take care of another man’s child.”

Xander dropped to one knee before Jamie and ruffled the boy’s dark hair lightly before he drew away. “I am pleased to meet you, Jamie. You appear to be a fine, strong lad. I would be honored to have you as a son.” However temporarily.

The boy smiled tentatively, but it was Isobel who drew his attention. “My thanks for your kindness,” she whispered.

The look on her face made Xander’s throat ache. What had happened to the two of them as a result of her last marriage? And how would his leaving as soon as his goal was accomplished heal any of that pain? He pressed his lips together and forced the thought away. He would do what he had to in order to protect the king.

“Come.” He held his hand out to Jamie, then offered Isobel his arm. “We should head back.” They all fell into step together, walking slowly to accommodate Jamie’s short legs. The air was warm, yet a breeze blew across the fields, sending the rye heads rustling against each other in a soothing serenade. Resisting the urge to look at Isobel as they walked, Xander turned his gaze to the sky and the golden eagle still circling overhead. One of the first things he would teach Jamie was how to fend off an attack by such a predator. Jamie might be small, but he was not without defenses—if only he’d been taught what they were.

“Did you have any revelations about the harvest from surveying the fields?” Isobel asked as they neared the house.

Nothing he had to say about the harvest was anything she wanted to hear. It was too much work for three of them. The grain should have been harvested two weeks ago. It would take a miracle to save any of it. Fortunately, he could come up with one miracle on her behalf. “We do not have any time to waste. Be ready to start harvesting tomorrow at sunrise.”

“Me too?” Jamie asked, his bright blue eyes pleading.

Xander gave him an encouraging smile. “I’m sure there is a way for you to participate if not in the actual harvest itself. As the future master of this estate, it is never too early to start learning everything you can.” They came to the pathway leading to the door. “But before we get to that, you and I have something we need to do.” He dropped Isobel’s hand from his arm. “Do you mind if I take charge of the lad for a short while? We’ll be back by supper.”

Jamie face brightened while Isobel’s clouded. “Whatever for?”

Xander reached around her for the young boy’s hand. “I will return him to you unharmed. I promise.” Then, not waiting for her reply, Xander led Jamie back to what looked like a barn. Only once they had reached the barn did Xander turn around. Isobel stood in the distance, watching the two of them with her arms tucked about her waist as though she were holding herself together.

Xander told himself he didn’t care about the forlorn look on her face as he slipped into the barn with her child. The boy deserved to know a few things that would help keep him alive.

Thin streams of late-afternoon light pierced the hazy darkness, providing enough light to see several stalls that were no doubt used for Isobel’s cow, two goats, four sheep, and chickens. The scent of fresh straw filled the air. “Is there a place in here that your daddy used to build or repair things?”

“Over here.” Jamie released his hand and half-ran, half-skipped toward a workbench along the north wall.

Several rusty tools lay on the wooden surface along with a small pile of conditioned leather. The top piece was curled and dry. The second still dry, but less so. A third piece below that was small, but still supple and workable. It would be perfect for what he needed. Using the rusty tools, it didn’t take long for Xander to fashion a small sheath with a loop at the top.

“Do you have a belt?” Xander asked Jamie.

He proudly tugged at his shirt to reveal a small belt beneath. Xander unfastened the leather and slipped the belt through the loop he’d just made before retucking the muslin shirt back in so that the sheath rested against the young boy’s left hip.

“What’s this?” Jamie asked.

“A way for you to protect yourself.” He reached for the sgian dubh from his boot and slipped it into the leather before standing once more. “Whenever you find yourself threatened by an animal or even a human, I want you to do this.” Xander widened his stance.