Chapter 11

Daniel was sitting on the floor, playing with his wooden horse, when Kenna entered her chamber with Bash. Immediately, he looked up and frowned questioningly.

"Daniel, my darling, do you remember Ba... Sebastian?"

The boy nodded, while he kept his eyes glued to the strange man.

Bash forced a smile. He had no idea, how to deal with children. Though he had two younger half brothers, the contact with them had never been very close. Helplessly, he looked at Kenna.

"Would you like to show Sebastian your wooden horse? You know, he also carves and has never seen such a beautiful work." Kenna tried to brought Daniel out of his shell.

Daniel shook his head and hugged his toy to himself.

"Excuse me, Milady?" Bernadette interrupted. "Her Majesty... I mean, ...Mary asked me whether I could help her in the garden. Would you release me from my duty?"

Kenna nodded. She looked quickly to Bash and could see how uncomfortable he felt.

"It's all right, Bernadette. You can take the day off. I'll stay with Daniel."

Before the nanny left, she stopped in front of Bash and looked up at him. "Is it true that you are the boy's father?" she asked nosily.

"Bernadette!" Kenna rolled her eyes. "You can go now."

"Excuse me!" The young nanny curtsied and left the chamber.

"I'm sorry! She can be terribly embarrassing sometimes. But she is good with children and Daniel loves her."

She looked to her son, who had followed the discussion wide-eyed.

"Father?" he repeated and looked back and forth between his mother and the stranger.

Kenna sighed before she crouched down next to her son.

"Do you remember what I promised you?" she asked cautiously.

Daniel shook his head.

"I promised you that I would find you a father."

She looked up quickly and noticed Bash's startled face.

"Well," she continued", "what would you think if Sebastian is your father from now on?"

Daniel raised an eyebrow and Kenna had to suppress a smirk. He had already exactly the same facial expression like Bash.

Slowly, the little boy stood up and walked over to his father. He hesitated before he gave his toy to Bash.

"Are you staying?" he looked at him questioningly.

Bash felt a lump forming in his throat. What had the little boy experienced at such a young age, that he was afraid to lose him?

He nodded. "Yes, I'm staying."

Daniel nodded satisfied and looked at his mother. "We can stay … in the Castle?" he asked.

Kenna went to him and stroked his hair gently. "We are staying in the Castle. This is our new home now."

She looked to Bash, who returned the look.

Bash crouched down. "If you like horses, the two of us can go to the stables and I choose a horse for you. What do you think? I can show you how to ride a horse. Would you like that?"

Daniel's eyes started to shine.

"OK, that's settled then." Bash stood up smiling. "I should go now and arrange everything. I'll come back later."

He turned to the door, but Kenna held him back.

"Thank you, Bash!" she whispered. "You have fulfilled his biggest wish."

He shrugged. "Since he has my genes, he will love the horse riding. I was three when I sat in the saddle for the first time." He turned to Daniel. "Watch out for it." he said and put the wooden horse back in Daniel's hands.

For the first time the little boy smiled and Bash had to struggle to retain his composure. He knew now what Kenna head meant when she had said that she had been punished for all these years. There was a striking resemblance between them.

"By the way..." he said with a husky voice. "Don't call me Sebastian, call me Bash."

Daniel nodded. „Bash." he repeated.

"I'm walking Bash out." Kenna interrupted. "You can play with your horse as long as I'm away."

While Daniel started to play again, Bash and Kenna walked before the door.

"I think that was a good start." Kenna said smiling.

"It was." Bash confirmed. "There was no need to be nervous. He is such a bright boy and understands quickly."

"Will you keep it that way, to be just a friend for him?"

"I think it is too early to tell him just yet that I am his father, don't you think?"

"Possibly."

Kenna stepped toward him, laid her hand on his shoulder and gave him a peck on his cheek.

"What was that for?" he asked astonished.

"When I first arrived here, I had never thought that Daniel would find a family. I had no idea that you lived here."

She looked up at him. "Do you believe in fate?"

Bash considered for a moment. "Previously I had always thought that everyone is responsible for his own fortune or misfortune. But now..." he took a deep breath "...now I think there must be such a thing as fate, because otherwise you weren't here with me..."

Suddenly, he put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"How much I've missed the smell of your hair and your skin." he muttered and buried his face in her hair.

Kenna felt her knees getting weak. "Bash..." she stammered. "Not here..."

She closed her eyes as she felt his lips on her neck. It felt so good to be close to him again. How much she had missed that! She clung to him and turned her head further that his lips could explore other parts of her body. She knew what they were doing was wrong, but why did it feel so good and right?

His mouth captured hers and she felt flaming heat shooting through her entire body. But as he tried to pull up her skirt she stopped him. "No!" she gasped with her last willpower. „Don't!"

He released her immediately and retreated. He also had difficulties to control his breathing.

"I know that you want me as much as I want you." he said breathing heavily. "But you're right. Here is neither the time nor the place". He caressed her cheek tenderly. "I will catch up on it later." he promised and turned to go.

Kenna looked after him, still out of breath. She smoothed her clothes and combed her hair with agitated fingers. Anyone who could see her now would know what she had just done. She pressed the hand against her chest. Her breathing was still faster than usually.

A horrible thought flashed through her mind all of a sudden. Mary! She had promised that she wouldn't steal her man.

Kenna groaned inwardly. What had she done? This could never happen again!

For the last time she smoothed down her skirt before she pushed open the door to her chamber.