“Men should protect the ladies,” Leona echoed, a teasing note in her voice despite the heaviness in her chest. “Is that what ye’re sayin'?”
“Aye.” He lifted his chin, trying to look dignified.
The effect was somewhat ruined by Nyx choosing that moment to bat at his ear.
Leona’s smile widened. “Nyx doesnae agree. She protects everyone alone. Doesnae need any man to do it for her.”
“Nyx is a cat.”
“A very capable cat.”
They both looked at Nyx, who had settled into a loaf position on Rufus’s shoulder, her tail twitching with satisfaction. She did look rather pleased with herself.
Rufus’s expression turned serious again. “Ye shouldnae be carryin' this alone, Sister. This burden, this fear. It’s too much for one person.”
The gentleness in his voice, the genuine concern, made Leona’s eyes sting with unshed tears. She stood and moved around the table, pulling him into a fierce hug. Nyx protested with an indignant meow but didn’t abandon her perch.
“Ye’re goin' to be a good man, Rufus,” Leona whispered against his hair. “The best kind. The kind who thinks of others before himself.”
“Learned from the best,” he mumbled into her shoulder.
They stayed like that for a long moment, drawing strength from each other.
The moment was shattered by the sound of rushing footsteps and an excited voice.
“Good morning, kitty! And people!”
Skye burst into the hall like a small whirlwind, her dark hair flying loose around her face. She was followed at a more sedate pace by Murdock, who looked about as well-rested as Leona felt.
Their eyes met across the hall, and Leona felt that familiar jolt of awareness, of want, that she’d been trying to ignore since yesterday’s disaster at the loch.
She looked away first.
“Good morning, Skye,” Rufus greeted, his face lighting up at the sight of the girl. He’d become quite fond of her over the past few days. He’d always wanted to be a big brother, and being the youngest in his family had been endlessly frustrating. Having Skye around, someone who actually looked up to him, was a welcome change. “How are ye this fine mornin'?”
“Very good!” Skye bounced over to them, then stopped and tilted her head, studying Leona with those too-perceptive eyes. “Do ye nae like the food?”
Leona blinked. “What?”
“The food.” Skye gestured to the laden table, then to Leona’s empty place. “Ye’ve nae eaten anythin'. Is it nae good enough? Are ye ill?”
“I’m fine, lass. Just nae hungry.”
Skye’s face scrunched up in concentration, the same expression she’d worn yesterday when trying to solve the problem of making them look properly betrothed. Leona recognized it now as a warning sign.
“Oh!” Skye’s face cleared, brightening with sudden inspiration. “I ken what we’ll do! A picnic!”
“A picnic,” Murdock repeated from where he’d stopped near the doorway. His voice was carefully neutral, but Leona caught the hint of amusement beneath it.
“Aye! Aunt Kristen and Uncle Neil do it all the time!” Skye was practically vibrating with excitement now. “They take food and blankets and go somewhere pretty. And they’re always smilin' when they come back. So if ye have a picnic, maybe ye’ll eat. And maybe ye’ll smile. And everyone will see that ye’re happy together!”
Before anyone could respond, before Leona could point out the dozen reasons why a picnic was a terrible idea right now, Skye had spun on her heel and raced out of the hall.
“I’ll tell the kitchens!” her voice echoed back. “They’ll prepare everythin'!”
Silence fell in her wake.
Rufus was the first to break it, his shoulders shaking with barely suppressed laughter. “She’s very determined about this matchmakin' business.”
