Grief and regret filled Jude. He knew in the back of his mind it wasn’t right for him to give Cleo attention and allow her to go outside if he would not do the same for his own son. Dropping his shoulders and glancing to the paperwork in his hands, he realized what he had to do.
“Hold onto these,” Jude said, pushing the paperwork back into Ian’s hands. “It is possible that ye’re right and that I should show me son a bit more attention. What is it that ye think would be a good thing for us to do today?”
Ian shrugged as they continued to walk to the study. “Perhaps a fishin’ trip outside the castle walls,” Ian suggested. “After all, the boy would love to run into the open moors and spend the day with his faither, wouldnae ye agree?”
“Perhaps. But I was told it was goin’ to rain today,” Jude said as Cleo’s words played in the back of his mind.
“Rain?” Ian gaffed, “where did ye hear that bit of news?”
“A birdie told me,” Jude said.
“Wouldnae that be a sight to see?” Ian said as they pushed through the study doors to find Hugh sitting in the large leather chair behind Jude’s desk.
Hugh’s little feet were propped up on the desk and he leaned back with scowl on his face. The sight of Hugh looking so sad caused Jude to start chuckling. His laughter filled the study as the boy perked up.
“It’s nae funny,” the boy said.
“And do ye even ken what I’m laughin’ at?” Jude asked as he walked closer to his son.
“I daenae care,” Hugh said with a bigger pout on his face that could rival Cleo’s.
“What’s wrong?” Jude asked walking over to his son and kneeling before him.
“We used to do things together. Remember? Now I feel like ye’re just pawnin’ me off on whomever will take me. When can we go out?”
“Hugh,” Jude said without any anger or malice in his voice. “How would ye like to go fishin’ on the moors with me today?”
Hugh’s eyes widened as he dropped his feet from the desk and sat up straight. “Are ye serious? Ye’re lettin’ me go outside the castle?”
“Is that what ye’d like to do? I did let Cleo go out into the courtyard, but I think if I’m with ye, we can go a bit further. What do ye say?”
“Aye, please, faither. I daenae think I can handle one more day in this place.”
“Ye sound like Cleo,” Jude said shaking his head. “Very well, then. Have the cook gather us some scan and a few poles. We will go fishin’. I cannae promise we will catch anythin’, but at least ye’ll be able to be out of the confinement almost as if everything was as it was before.”
Hugh did not have to be told twice. He leapt from the chair and rushed out of the room flying past Ian as he headed towards the kitchen in search of the cook.
“Ye should probably go with someone else too, just for protection,” Ian said as Jude rose to his feet.
“Aye, that would be wise. Fetch me Ronan,” Jude said with a wave of his hand.
“I’m afraid Ronan is runnin’ an errand,” Ian said. “But I can get Aidan.”
“He’ll do,” Jude said as he pulled in a deep breath. There was a part of him that longed to see the moors again. Yet in the back of his mind, he wondered just how safe Cleo would be without him in the castle. For a split second he thought of confining her to her room until he got back, but then stopped before the order slipped from his lips.
I have to learn to trust she’ll be fine without me.
“I think it is wise of ye to take Hugh out,” Ian said. “The boy has been a wee bit restless of late. And doin’ somethin’ with just the two of ye, well, he’ll see Cleo isnae stealin’ ye away from him.”
“That’s the last thing I want Hugh to feel,” Jude said.
Jude shook his head as he took Ian’s counsel and quickly realized that the old man was right. Walking over to his mentor, Jude patted him on the shoulder.
“Perhaps it would be wise if it’s just the two of us. After all, I cannae remember the last time we went fishin’. See that Aidan is at the gate in twenty minutes, there are a few last-minute things I need to do before we go,” Jude said.
“Can I assist with them?” Ian asked stepping closer to him. Jude shook his head as he moved to the desk and pulled out a piece of paper and began writing on it.
Just in case Cleo comes searchin’ for me, I wouldnae want her to think I’ve abandoned her too.
21
Sitting in her plush chair, Cleopatra stared out of the window, contemplating what to do. The books that she had in her room no longer interested her and Paige was too busy attending other business to provide her with the distraction she wanted. Sighing heavily, she thought of going outside and getting some practice with the bow and arrow, but even that felt like it would lose her interest. After all, it wasn’t the sport that she longed for, it was Jude and having him close to her.
What to do?
Slamming the book closed, she stood and began pacing her room. It seemed no matter what she thought about doing, it only added to her frustration. What she really wanted was to watch Jude in his study. At least then he would be close to her, even if his mind was elsewhere.
Yet she knew that he was busy. Even if he managed to steal a few glimpses of her, she would be nothing but a distraction for him and that was not what she
