Page 34 of A Knight’s Reward

His chin quivered. Rebellion, though, still brightened his gaze. “I am tired of being indoors.”

Her heart squeezed. “I know, Button, but⁠—”

“How long must I stay inside this house, Mama? Every day ’tis the same.” His voice broke on an angry sob. Squishing Sir Smug in his hands, he scowled, and then threw the toy on the floor. “I want to go home. I do not wish to see Father—he shouted too much—but I want to go back to the big house with the swing. There, I could run outside whenever I liked. There—” He stamped his foot with a frustrated cry.

How keenly she felt his frustrations. Turning from the window, Gisela went to him, crouched, and slid her arm around him.

Crossing his arms, he jerked away. He stood in profile, staring at the wall, his face set in a mutinous scowl. Tears glistened along his eyelashes.

Oh, Button. You have never drawn away from me before.

The fragile part of her wept. Her little boy was growing. Changing. Testing her, it seemed, in front of Dominic. Pressing her lips together, she steeled her fortitude. Focused on the courage and instinct that kept him safe.

Never could she forget those.

Aware of Dominic’s gaze upon them, she rubbed Ewan’s back, a soothing habit he’d enjoyed since he was a baby. “Right now, you must go inside our home, as I bade. Later, we will speak of what troubles you.”

“Always later,” he grumbled.

She sighed. If only she could explain the dangers to him. He could not possibly understand, for he was only a child. Moreover, she had done all she could to protect him from the horrors of the night Ryle cut her breast. And, God help her, from Ryle’s murderous threat.

Reaching out, she picked up Sir Smug. After straightening the knight’s helm, she rose to standing, then handed him back to Ewan.

Her son looked at her. His intense gaze clearly revealed he understood she wanted him to go back inside. He took Sir Smug. But, he didn’t budge.

A frustrated scream welled inside her. “Ewan.” She set a firm hand upon his shoulder and steered him toward the doorway.

Ewan struggled. “Nay! I will not go!”

Light in the room shifted, telling Gisela that Dominic had left the window. She sensed his entry into her shop before booted footfalls sounded on the floorboards. Step by step, he came toward them with those bold, swaggered strides.

Ewan’s struggles ceased. His face lit with curiosity as he glanced at Dominic.

Gisela tensed. She braced herself for Dominic to urge her to let Ewan stay. Wasted words. She wouldn’t yield, no matter how persuasive Dominic might be. If her little boy were to stay safe, he must heed her. Being solely responsible for his welfare, she must follow through with her demand that he return inside the house; if she gave in now, she showed Ewan that by disobeying, he got his way. A very dangerous precedent. One day, his disobedience might get him killed.

Ewan shrugged off her hold. “He has come to see my sword,” he said, raising his chin to look up at Dominic.

An indulgent smile touched Dominic’s mouth. “Nay, little warrior. I have come to tell you to heed your mother.”

Astonished warmth filled Gisela’s belly. Oh, Dominic.

Ewan balled his hands and looked about to erupt in another temper tantrum.

“Do not look so,” Dominic said gently, touching the little boy’s shoulder. “Your mother cares for you very much. If she wishes you to remain in the house, there is a reason for her order. You should obey.”

“I do not want to.”

“I know.” Dominic dropped to one knee, his garments whispering with the movement. Looking at Ewan, he said, “Sometimes mothers know things they cannot tell their children.”

“Why not?” Ewan asked.

“Pardon?”

“Why can they not tell their children?”

“Ah.” Dominic nodded. “An excellent question. Being a mother is a very important duty. Not every woman can be a mother, you know, for there are a great many tasks she must oversee. Most of all, she must do what she feels is best for her young one. Even if, at the time, she cannot tell her son why, and her son does not understand.”

Gisela pressed her shaking hand to her mouth. She couldn’t have explained better herself.