Francesca focused intently on her porridge, hyper-aware of Declan’s presence at the table. Every shift of his body seemed magnified, every breath he took somehow audible despite the room’s other sounds.
Those hands.
She couldn’t stop staring at them as he reached for his cup—large, calloused, undeniably masculine.
Fraser cleared his throat again and when she looked up, he was eyeing her knowingly. She turned her gaze to Declan, who simply lifted an eyebrow at her.
Damn you, Francesca. Focus. No need to be so obvious to a man that shows nothing.
She did not look at him again.
After breakfast, they decided to stay in the hall, and the day stretched awkwardly. “Eloise, don’t play too close to the fire,”Francesca said, her voice high with concern. “You don’t want to hurt yourself.”
She waited for the child to obey, glancing at Declan before turning to Betsy. “One of my books, please.”
Betsy nodded quickly, hurrying away to fetch it.
“Fraser!” Eloise’s delighted cry broke the still air. “You promised to show me your horse today!”
“Did I now?” Fraser winked at the child. “Well, a promise is a promise. Though I seem to recall seein’ some kittens in the village yesterday…”
Betsy came back inside and handed Francesca the book. She opened it to read while pretending not to listen to the conversation.
Eloise’s entire face lit up. “Kittens? Real kittens?”
Francesca saw Declan’s warning glare fix on his cousin, and she smiled behind her book, but Fraser continued blithely on. “Aye, wee ones too. Black and ginger, if I remember correctly. The miller’s cat had a litter a fortnight ago.”
“Can we get them? Please?” Eloise clasped her fingers together, giving a little curtsy as she did so. She turned pleading eyes on Francesca. “Aunt Fran, I promise I’ll take care of them! Bluebell needs friends, and I’ll feed them and brush them every day.”
“Absolutely nae,” Declan cut in, his voice firm. “We already have a rabbit hoppin’ about the castle. We daenae need cats as well.”
Clearly, Fraser had mentioned the kittens deliberately, knowing exactly what Eloise’s reaction would be.
“But Laird MacGhee,” Eloise wheedled, moving closer to Declan. Francesca did not know how the child was not intimidated by his size. “Cats are very useful. They catch mice and keep the castle clean. Betsy said so. And these ones are still babies. They need someone to love them, or they’ll be all alone.”
Declan’s expression remained implacable. He didn’t even look at Eloise. “The answer is nay, lassie.”
Eloise’s lower lip trembled, and Francesca felt her heart clench at the sight. If a few kittens could bring her joy…
“Declan,” Francesca said softly, turning to face him with a gentle plea in her eyes. “Kittens are small. They wouldn’t cause much disruption, surely? And Eloise would take such good care of them.”
She stepped closer, winking at Eloise. “It would make her so happy.”
“Sohappy!” Eloise echoed, sniffling.
“And I promise to help ensure they don’t cause any trouble,” Francesca reassured him.
“They’d cause plenty,” Declan muttered, but she caught the slight softening around his eyes as he looked at Eloise’s hopeful expression.
“They won’t. They’ll be so good, I promise. I’ll take care of them!” Eloise said earnestly, sensing an opening. “I’ll make sure they don’t bother you at all, Laird MacGhee. You won’t even know they’re here.”
“That’s highly unlikely. I ken ye’re here. I ken yer rabbit is here. Why would the kittens be any different?” he replied, but Francesca could see he was wavering. She fully expected him to refuse.
“Have a heart, husband. Give the child her kittens,” Francesca coaxed gently, her voice carrying a quiet plea that mirrored Eloise’s. “It would make usallvery happy.”
Eloise’s eyes sparkled with hope, but Declan was silent, his gaze still unwavering, as though weighing something unseen. Francesca could feel the tension thickening the air, the pressure building in her chest.
Declan’s jaw worked as he looked at the two of them. After a long moment, he let out a long-suffering sigh.
