“Because ye can’t trust everyone?” Eloise asked, her face serious.
“Exactly.” He tapped her nose gently. “Yer a quick learner, lass.”
She studied each pattern intently, asking questions about colors and meanings. Declan found himself enjoying the teaching, the way her mind worked through the information.
“So the MacLeods are friends?” She pointed to the yellow and black pattern.
“Aye, they’re allies.”
“And if I saw this one—” she tapped the Campbell tartan, “—what should I do?”
“Be polite but careful. Watch what ye say.”
“Like when Mama talks to the merchants in the village?”
Francesca laughed. “Exactly like that, sweetheart. You’re learning the ways of diplomacy.”
For over an hour, they worked through the different patterns. Eloise absorbed it all, occasionally glancing at Francesca for reassurance but growing more confident with each correct answer.
“Ye’ve done well today, lass,” Declan said finally. “Both with yer letters and yer tartans.”
“Can we do more tomorrow?”
“Aye, if ye like.”
That evening, they gathered for dinner at the high table. Fraser joined them, as had become his custom, regaling them with stories from his day.
“—and then the goat climbed straight up onto Duncan’s head!” Fraser was saying, making Eloise giggle. “Poor man didnae ken whether to laugh or cry.”
“Da?” Eloise interrupted, her voice suddenly small.
“Aye, lass?”
“Can I ask ye somethin’?”
“Always.”
She twisted her hands in her lap, not meeting his eyes. “When ye and Mama have a baby, will ye still love me just as much?”
The table fell silent. Declan felt his breath catch and saw Francesca’s hand move toward his under the table.
“Eloise,” Francesca said gently, “why would you think we’d love you any less?”
“Because the baby would be yours. Really yours. Not just…” She trailed off, her chin trembling.
Declan pushed his chair back and lifted Eloise onto his lap, turning her to face him. “Listen to me, lass, and listen well. Yearereally ours. Blood doesnae make a family—love does. Do ye understand?”
“But—”
“When yer mother and I have other children, and we will, they’ll be yer brothers and sisters. And we’ll love them, aye.” He cupped her small face in his hands. “But that will never,nevertake away from how much we love ye. Ye’re me daughter in every way that matters. Nothin’ will ever change that.”
“Promise?” Her voice broke.
“I promise. On me honor as a laird and as yer da, I promise.”
Eloise threw her arms around his neck, holding tight. Over her head, Declan met Francesca’s eyes and saw them shining with tears.
Fraser cleared his throat roughly. “Well, now that we’ve all had our hearts properly wrung out, who wants pudding?”
