“Apple tart?” came a small voice, and Duncan felt his knees buckle with relief. Leave it to Lucy to say the one thing guaranteed to engender a response in the boy.
“Johnny!” Lucy called, voice sharp. She really did sound like a nanny in that moment. “Where are you?”
“Right here.”
Duncan spotted his blue coat. “There.” He pointed in the direction of the coat. “I see him.”
Lucy pushed Duncan forward, and together they emerged into a less dense area where a small brook ran along a low-lying area. Johnny had obviously been crouched beside the brook. His knees were muddy. It was clear he’d wiped his dirty hands on his coat. Lucy released Duncan, ran forward, and swept Johnny into a hug. “Don’t ever do that again!”
“What did I do?”
“Disappeared.”
“I didn’t disappear. I’m right here.”
Lucy set him down, and Duncan ran his gaze over the boy. He appeared unhurt and unconcerned by the fuss Lucy was making.
“Can I still have apple tart? Mama never lets me have apple tart.”
“You and I need to have a serious conversation about staying where I can see you before we discuss apple tarts,” Lucy said.
“But you said to fetch the ball.”
“And where is the ball?” Duncan asked.
Johnny looked about hopefully. “I didn’t find the ball, but I found this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small green stick. At least Duncan thought it was a stick. Until it slithered.
Lucy screamed.
Duncan had never heard her scream. He’d never even seen her look more than slightly alarmed, and that was only a few minutes ago when they thought young Johnny Russell had been abducted. She then surprised him further by grabbing him and shoving him between herself and the boy. “Duncan,” she ordered. “Do something.”
Duncan wanted to say that it was only a harmless garden snake. He used to observe them when he was a boy. He’d probably brought a few in to show his own nanny. But Lucy had given him an order, and he was used to following orders. He held out his hand. “Hand him over, sir.”
The boy, brow wrinkled in confusion at Lucy’s reaction, held the snake out to Duncan. He took the reptile, walked a little way away, and set the creature free in what looked like an ideal location, though, truth be told, Duncan knew little about what snakes liked or disliked.
“Miss Lucy, are you scared?” the boy asked.
“No,” she said, perhaps a tad too defensively. “You surprised me. I’m not afraid of snakes. Or frogs. Or spiders.”
Duncan narrowed his eyes. No one had asked about frogs or spiders.
“What I am afraid of is losing you. Now inside. I think we both need tea after this.”
“But what about the apple tart?” he asked as she led him away. Duncan followed at a distance, carrying the ball. When they reached the house, Duncan tossed the ball a couple yards away.
“Master Johnny, don’t forget your ball.” When the boy turned around, he gestured toward the ball. Johnny ran toward it, and Duncan met Lucy’s gaze. “The lime tree?” he asked, confirming.
She shook her head. “Let’s meet after dinner tonight.”
Duncan raised his brows. “Where?”
“My bed chamber. I don’t have to share it.”
It was not a romantic invitation, but Duncan’s heart leapt into his throat nonetheless. Alone with Lucy in her bed chamber...
“Bring the letter,” she said, throwing the equivalent of cold water on his budding fantasy. Then Johnny returned with the ball, and she put an arm about his shoulders and led him inside.
Duncan stood still for a long moment, watching her go.
