“She’s protectin’ herself,” Fraser said quietly. “From ye. Because ye keep hurtin’ her by pullin’ away. And eventually, she’ll stop hopin’ ye’ll change.”
“Maybe that’s for the best.”
“Is it? Is it really for the best that yer wife feels like she’s nothin’ more than a broodmare? That the child ye’re clearly attached to thinks ye only tolerate her? That ye’re so bloody miserable tryin’ to maintain this distance that ye can barely function?”
“I function fine.”
“Ye’re a mess, Declan. We all see it.”
Before Declan could formulate a response, Eloise came bounding over, Bluebell clutched in her arms.
“Look! He let me catch him! Usually he runs away, but today he wanted cuddles.” She beamed up at them both. “Fraser, do you think rabbits get lonely?”
“I think all creatures get lonely, wee one.”
“Right. So ye agree that Bluebell needs a wife, so he won’t be alone.” She looked at Declan with those too-knowing eyes. “Everyone needs someone, don’t they? Otherwise, it’s just sad.”
Fraser’s lips twitched. “Aye, lass. Everyone needs someone. Even stubborn Highland lairds who pretend they daenae.”
Declan shot him a warning look, but Fraser just grinned, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
“Speakin’ of which,” Fraser continued, “how are ye findin’ the responsibility of being a new mother? Are yer kittens settlin’ in well?”
“Oh yes! They’re wonderful.” Eloise’s face lit up. “I read to them every night, and they let me brush their fur and feed them.” She smiled.
“That’s great. Why daenae ye go find Betsy, lass?” Fraser suggested. “I think she was lookin’ for ye earlier about somethin’ important.”
“Really? What?”
“I daenae know, but she seemed quite urgent about it.”
Eloise scampered off, leaving the two men alone in the garden. Fraser turned to Declan with an expression that was equal parts sympathy and exasperation.
“Well, I’ll be on me way too.”
Declan watched his cousin walk away, leaving him alone with thoughts that chased each other in circles. Fraser was right. Eloise was right. Even that damned rabbit was right, apparently.
Everyone needs someone.
The question was whether he was brave enough to admit he needed Francesca. Not just for heirs or alliances but for herself. For the way she made him want to be better. For the softness she brought to his hard edges. For the home she was building in a place he’d only ever seen as a fortress.
15
“Can we go to the riverbank today? Please?”
Eloise bounced on her toes at breakfast, her eyes bright with the kind of enthusiasm only a nine-year-old could muster before dawn had fully broken. Declan looked up from his porridge to find both her and Francesca watching him expectantly.
“The riverbank?” He set down his spoon carefully. “Why the riverbank?”
“Fraser said there are smooth stones perfect for skipping.” She clasped her hands together in supplication.
“Fraser exaggerates.”
Francesca smoothed the child’s hair, laughing. “Eloise, we can’t trouble the Laird with such requests every morning.”
Eloise whirled, eyes wide, fixing Declan with the full force of her plea. “Please, Laird MacGhee? You ride so fast, you could take us there and back before Betsy even sets the bread to rise!”
Declan arched a brow at Francesca. “Ye’ve raised a persuasive bairn.”
