Guilt and regret squeezed like a fist around Mason’s heart as he recalled the night he’d fought his way into Bricken’s warehouse with Turner. Pale with fear, wearing nothing but a dingy nightgown, her hair a tangle about her head, tear streaks on her smudged face, Claire had clung in terror to the larger boy. The moment had been made even more poignant when Freddie bravely placed himself between her small body and Mason’s much, much larger one. It had taken Claire a few moments to recognize Mason, and though it had nearly broken his heart, it was his own blasted fault his daughter had hesitated when he’d opened his arms.
His chest tightened with self-directed anger. He’d never make the mistake of trusting his daughter’s care to anyone else ever again. He might not have the slightest clue how to be a proper father, but he’d keep the girl safe from further harm if it killed him. Unfortunately, there would be no way to prevent her little heart from breaking when Freddie left.
Swallowing past the harsh burn of regret in his throat, Mason walked into the room but said nothing as his appearance drew the focus of two pairs of wary eyes. He had long ago gotten used to the fear his size and boorish manner tended to inspire in people, but seeing the flash of uncertainty in his own child’s eyes hit him deeper and harder than any blow he’d received in the ring.
Claire’s nurse stood from the rocking chair in the corner where she’d been sitting quietly with a pile of knitting in her lap. He gave the older woman a nod and waited as she silently slipped from the room before he lowered to a crouch. Holding his arms out, he offered Claire a smile. “Come here, sweet pea.”
After a moment of hesitation when she glanced up at the dark-haired boy, who gave an encouraging smile, his little girl climbed down from the raised bench and crossed to Mason. Lifting her hands, she allowed him to scoop her in for a hug. The feel of her hands around his neck squeezed his heart, but he was undeniably aware of just how small and precious she felt in his hold.
He wasn’t made for comfort and softness, and that was what Claire needed more than anything. Feeling inadequate in ways he’d never expected to experience, he only held her for a moment before letting her go again.
Glancing over her head, he met the dark, unflinching gaze of the boy who’d told them nothing about himself beyond his name. As if sensing something of import had occurred, Freddie rose swiftly to his feet, but he didn’t speak.
The boy was so bloody self-contained and unreadable. Mason had never known of a twelve-year-old to behave with such steadiness and emotional restraint.
“Someone’s here for you,” he noted bluntly.
There was a pause but no evident change in the boy’s demeanor. “Who is it?”
“She claims to be your sister.”
Something flared in Freddie’s brown eyes before being replaced with gentle concern as his attention flickered to Claire.
Before Mason could wonder about the reaction, the moment was interrupted by a sharp inhalation from behind him. “Frederick!”
Apparently, Lady Katherine had been unwilling to wait in the hall, and she now swept past Mason to enclose Freddie in a tight embrace. The boy’s eyes closed as he rested his face against her shoulder and clasped her fiercely in return. But he soon pulled away, straightening his posture.
She let him, stepping back to place her hands on his shoulders as her gaze scanned swiftly over his person. “Tell me you are all right.”
The boy nodded, his expression stoic once again. But if his reserved manner was any kind of surprise to his sister, she didn’t show it. “What happened? Why didn’t you tell me where you were in the note you sent?”
“I told you I was all right.”
She released a breath that could’ve been part relief, part exasperation. “You did, but you gave me no explanation, no way for me to find you.”
“I’m sorry, Kit. It wasn’t my intention to worry you.”
The woman’s eyes widened, but then the corners of her lips curled. “You know quite well that nothing can keep me from worrying about you.”
“And I know you would’ve come to fetch me as soon as you knew where I was.”
“Of course.” Her brows dipped into a frown.
While the two had been talking, Claire had slowly sidled away from Mason and now slipped her hand into Freddie’s as she pressed herself to his side. It was something she did whenever she was feeling uncertain, and the sight of it dug at Mason’s heart.
Lady Katherine looked at the girl with a gentle smile. “Hello there. I am Lady Katherine. What is your name?”
Claire smiled as pink touched her cheeks, but she turned to hide her face against the boy’s side.
“This is Claire,” Freddie answered for her. Leaning down to the girl, he added gently, “This is my sister, Kit. Remember? I told you about her.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Claire.”
Whether it was due to Freddie’s assurance or the woman’s softened tone, Claire responded by turning to give another shy smile.
Still talking to the little girl, Freddie added, “Would you like to show your papa what we discovered in the parlor this morning?” When she nodded, the boy’s steady gaze slid to Mason. “May I have a few moments with my sister, Mr. Hale?”
Mason shifted his attention back to Lady Katherine. Though her eyes were as deep brown as he’d suspected, he could now see by the light of the schoolroom that her dark hair held an auburn richness he hadn’t been able to detect in the
