“Oh,I have plenty more where that came from,” Piper assured him. “But I’ll save them for later.”
She turned to leave,then paused at the door. “Elijah?”
“Aye?”
“Yer children are wonderful.Masie’s sharp and protective and so much stronger than she kens. Connor is enthusiastic, kind,and desperate to make everyone proud of him. They’re brilliant, both of them. And they deserve to have ye see that.”
She didn’t waitfor his response. Just walked out of the study with her head held high, even though her hands were shaking and her heart was racing.
She’d just yelledat a laird. At the man who held her entire future in his hands.
And she didn’t regreta single word. Even if it meant losing her position. Even if it meant having to leave.
Some things wereworth fighting for. And those two children definitely were.
13
“Well, well, well.”
Elijah didn’t needto look up to know Declan had reentered the study. He could hear the smirk in his friend’s voice.
“Daenae start,”Elijah warned, still staring at the papers on his desk. The words blurred before his eyes; he hadn’t actually read a single line since Piper had stormed out.
“Start what?”Declan’s voice dripped with false innocence. “I was just goin’ to comment on how impressively the new governess handles herself. Most women would be terrified to speak to ye like that. But her? She walked in here and tore ye apart like ye were nothin’ more than a misbehavin’ bairn.”
“She overstepped.”
“Did she?”Declan settled into the chair across from the desk. “Because from where I was standin’, it sounded like she said things that needed sayin’. Things that someone should have said years ago.”
“Ye daenae understandwhat ye are sayin’.”
“I understandthat ye’re so busy protectin’ yer children from imaginary threats that ye’re hurtin’ them in ways that are very real.” Declan’s voice lost its teasing edge. “She’s right, Elijah. And ye ken it.”
Elijah’s handsclenched on the desk. “I’m doin’ what’s best for them.”
“Are ye? Or are ye doin’what’s easiest for ye?”
“Get out.”
“In a moment.”Declan leaned forward. “But first, let me say this, that lass is somethin’ special. She’s got fire, intelligence, and she clearly cares about yer children. More than that, she’s nae afraid of ye. Do ye ken how rare that is?”
“I’m well aware.”
“And she’s bonnie too,”Declan continued, his grin returning. “All those curves. That defiant look in her eyes. I bet she’s feisty in bed, too. The passionate ones always are?—”
Elijah wason his feet before he knew he was moving, his hands slamming on the desk. “Watch. Yer. Tongue.”
Declan’s eyebrows rose. “Touchin’a nerve, am I?”
“Piper is under me protection.Ye’ll speak of her with respect, or ye’ll nae speak of her at all.”
“Oh,it’s Piper now, is it? Nae Miss Armstrong?”
“Declan.”
“And ye’re veryprotective of someone who’s just a governess.” Declan’s grin widened. “Very protective indeed.”
“She’spart of me household. That makes her?—”
