Read The Letter for Free Online Page B

his attention back to the boy. Jamie’s suspicion seemed to be lessening. The knife lay on the seat next to him, forgotten. Michael didn’t doubt, however, that if he made a threatening move toward Diana that Jamie would do his best to protect her. He respected the boy for that. If this lad was truly his son, then as a father, he couldn’t be prouder. He frowned at the rags Jamie wore. A good father would see that his child was clothed properly.
    “As we are stopping early today, I think we should do some shopping.”
    “Shopping for what, sir?”
    He was going to have to think of something Jamie could call him besides sir. It was probably too soon for Papa, he thought with some amusement. “I think we should purchase new clothes for you and your mother.”
    Michael looked at Diana and raised a brow, fully expecting her to refuse his offer. She kept her face turned away, remaining silent. He studied her profile. Would her eyes ever sparkle again? Could he bring laughter back into her life? No, that was no longer his responsibility. His task now consisted of no more than to see her housed, fed and clothed properly.
    Lost in his thoughts, he half listened to Jamie’s chatter. When they stopped, he offered a helping hand to assist Diana out of the carriage, but she held onto the door and stepped past him. The two of them looked like beggars he had picked up on the side of the road, and that was one thing he could correct immediately.
    By the time they finished shopping, they had spent three hours in various shops and his little family could now look presentable. But he was disturbed by how biddable Diana had been, standing listlessly by while he chose several day dresses for her. When he asked her what colors she preferred, she shrugged.
    “Whatever you think best, my lord,” she said.
    She only showed interest when they selected clothing for Jamie. He hadn’t been shy in showing his excitement in having new clothes, and when Michael had added a ball and cloth bag of marbles to the pile on the counter, the boy looked up at him with bright, wide eyes.
    “Oh, thank you sir,” he exclaimed.
    Michael’s heart took a funny little tumble at the look of joy on his possible son’s face. He wished he knew for sure. Even if Jamie was his cousin, he would care for the lad, but a son? He wasn’t sure how he felt about it. It would assuredly cause some complications if it turned out to be true.
    Diana picked up the ball from the counter and handed it to Jamie. “Take your ball and wait for us outside. Don’t wander off, mind you.”
    She watched Jamie leave and then turned to him. “You will spoil him, my lord.”
    He certainly planned to. Michael glanced at the shopkeeper who watched them with open curiosity. When they had entered, he considered creating a story of highwaymen making off with his wife and son’s travel trunks, but that still wouldn’t account for the state of their dress.
    He had chosen not to try to explain to the man something that wasn’t any of his concern. Instead, he gave orders to the shopkeeper as if nothing was amiss. When the man realized the amount of coin he would be putting in his pockets, Diana and Jamie could have been nanny goats for all he cared.
    Placing his hand on her elbow, Michael steered her to a private corner. She tensed at his touch and tried to pull away, but he gently pressed his fingers into her arm.
    At the back of the shop, he released her and moved to face her. “I fail to see how a simple ball and bag of marbles will spoil him. He is a young boy and needs a few toys to play with.”
    Was it the toys that bothered her or that they were gifts from him?
    ****
    Irritation flashed in his eyes and Diana wished she had kept quiet. She no longer knew him. He seemed kind, but it could be all show.
    “Do you want me to take them back?” he asked.
    Jamie would be crushed. He had never owned a toy in his life. Leo hadn’t allowed it. Secretly, she was thrilled he now had a few