Chapter Twelve #6
It was not exactly the truth but Joselyn was following Stephen’s lead.
She was not sure Cade would understand how he really ended up at the abbey.
Perhaps it was best to spare him some things.
By this time, Cade’s tears were fading as he stared at the woman who looked a good deal like him.
The pale blue eyes studied her carefully as he struggled to accept what he was being told.
“You were only twelve years old when I was born?” he asked, almost suspiciously.
Joselyn nodded. “Aye.”
“I will be twelve years old in two months.”
Joselyn couldn’t hold back the smile. “I know, on the fifth day of the month.”
Cade’s eyes widened briefly. “You know my day of birth.”
She laughed softly. “Of course I do.”
Oddly, that small gesture seemed to convince him.
This whirlwind of a day that had brought stunning news still had his head spinning, but he wanted to believe.
He truly did. His tears vanished as his gaze lingered on Joselyn a moment longer before turning to Stephen.
By now, the knight had risen from his crouched position and Cade had to crane his neck back to look the man in the face. He was positively enormous.
“You told me that my parents were not dead,” he said,” yet you also told me that my father died. I do not understand.”
Stephen could see that Cade was an intelligent, thoughtful boy.
He liked him already. “It was the truth,” he told him.
“Your real father is dead, but since I am the lady’s husband, I am now your father.
Both of your parents are living and would like it very much if you would consider living with them for a time.
We would like to be your family, Cade, if you will allow.
I know it is a lot to ask after all these years, but perhaps you will consider it. ”
Cade scratched his head. He had a lot to absorb in his eleven year old brain but, the more he thought on it, the less distress he felt.
In fact, he was feeling somewhat pleased and overwhelmed at the moment.
He could hardly believe any of it but there was something deep inside of him, afraid yet excited, resistant yet not.
He had always wondered what it would be like to have a mother and father.
He was shocked that he was actually going to find out.
“You are a baron, my lord?” he asked.
Stephen nodded. “I am,” he replied. “At such time as you return to Ettrick Castle to foster, it will be as the son of Baron Lamberton. Does this displease you?”
Cade shook his head. “Nay, my lord.”
“Will you stay with your mother for a time and come to know her before you return?”
Cade turned to look at Joselyn again, who was smiling faintly at him. He stared at her, nodding after a moment, before turning back to Stephen.
“Who was the knight that retrieved me from Ettrick?” he wanted to know.
Stephen lifted an eyebrow, putting a massive hand on the lad’s shoulder. “That,” he said, “was the Earl of Carlisle and uncle to King Edward.”
Cade’s mouth popped open. As a boy, he was understandably impressed by men with titles and weapons. “You are his vassal?”
“And his friend.”
Cade’s young face suddenly lit up. “You are so rich and powerful, my lord?”
Stephen laughed softly, turning the boy in Joselyn’s direction. “No more than anyone else, lad,” he said. “I have duties to attend to. Will you watch over your mother while I am gone? It would be a good time to come to know her.”
Cade nodded, setting his satchel to the ground and hunting for a place to sit.
Joselyn watched the boy, memorizing every line of his face and every lock of his hair.
She was still dazed by his appearance, as if she was living a dream, but it was a dream well worth living.
She wanted desperately to know her son and watching him interact with Stephen, and the way Stephen had handled the boy, had touched her deeply.
“Are you hungry, Cade?” she asked. “There is much food in the great hall.”
Cade nodded. “Aye, my lady. I could eat.”
She stood up. “Come along, then. I will also take you to the kitchens were my fawn is. Would you like to see him?”
“You have a fawn?”
“I do.”
“But how did you catch him?”
Stephen stood out of the way as she opened the door, leading the young man from the room. “His mother was killed so I took him,” she said, passing by her husband as she spoke to her son. “Do you like sweet cakes?”
The boy nodded eagerly. “I do, my lady.”
“If my husband has left any untouched, I shall be happy to feed them to you.”
Stephen grinned, watching the two of them walk from the keep, wondering how long it was going to be before Cade grew a round belly with all of the sweet cakes Joselyn would undoubtedly feed him.
Still, he was relieved and pleased to see that they were at least getting along after their uncertain beginning. He could not have hoped for better.
As he walked out of the keep behind them, he didn’t miss when Joselyn turned around and blew him a kiss.
He winked in response. He stood there a moment, watching them walk towards the hall, touched when Joselyn slipped her hand into the crook of Cade’s arm and the boy didn’t back away.
He looked a little surprised, but didn’t pull away.
When they disappeared into the warmly lit great hall, Stephen gazed up into the starry night, silently thanking God for the appearance of Cade Alexander Pembury.