“Mama! Da!” She skidded to a stop in front of them, bouncing on her toes. “You have to come see what Bluebell can do now! He can jump through TWO hoops in a row!”
“That’s very impressive, darling.” Francesca smiled at her enthusiasm. “But perhaps we could see it later? Your father and I were just planning on sitting and actually resting.”
“Fraser said rabbits are smarter than people think. He told me if we had a dog, Bluebell could teach it tricks!”
“When did Fraser tell ye all this?”
“Just before he left. He said dogs make friends easily with other animals, and even better company than cats or rabbits.” Eloise’s eyes went wide with hope. “Can we get a dog? Please? I promise I’ll take care of it!”
“Absolutely nae,” Declan said firmly. “We already have a rabbit and two cats. That’s quite enough animals.”
“But a dog would be different! It could protect us and go on walks and sleep in my room.”
“The rabbit already sleeps in yer room. Where exactly would a dog fit?”
“At the foot of my bed! Or in the corner! Dogs don’t need much space!” Eloise pressed her advantage with the determination of a seasoned negotiator. “And Great-Aunt Watson says every proper Highland family has at least one dog.”
“I said no such thing,” Lady Gretchen protested, but her lips twitched with amusement.
“You said the McGregors have three dogs, and they’re a proper Highland family.”
“That’s nae quite true.”
“Please?” Eloise deployed her most effective weapon, enormous green eyes filled with pleading hope. “I’ll be so good. I’ll do all my lessons without complaining. I’ll even eat my vegetables!”
Francesca watched her husband’s resolve crumble in real time. The fearsome Laird MacGhee, defeated by a nine-year-old girl and her devastating puppy-dog eyes.
“We’ll discuss it,” he said finally, which everyone present knew meant yes.
Eloise squealed with delight, throwing her arms around his legs. “Thank you, Da! You’re the best father in all of Scotland!”
“I said we’d discuss it, nae that ye could have one.”
But Eloise was already racing from the room, presumably to tell Bluebell and the kittens about their potential new sibling. Declan looked at Francesca with an expression of helpless resignation.
“Daenae say it,” he warned.
“Say what? That you’re completely wrapped around her finger?”
“Aye, that.”
“But it’s true.” She reached for his hand, pulling him down beside her on the sofa. “And it’s one of the things I love most about you. You pretend to be stern, but the moment she asks for something, you can’t help but give in.”
“She’s manipulative.”
“She’s nine.”
“Same thing.”
Lady Gretchen laughed, rising from her chair. “On that note, I think I’ll take my tea elsewhere. You two clearly need some time alone.” She paused at the door. “Though do try to remember you’re in the solar, not your private chamber. Propriety still matters, even in marriage.”
After she left, Francesca leaned against Declan’s side, feeling the solid warmth of him. His arm came around her shoulders automatically, careful not to press against her belly.
“How are ye feelin’?” he asked quietly. “Truly?”
“Tired. Uncomfortable. Excited. Terrified.” She looked up at him. “Ready for this baby to arrive, but also wanting to hold onto these last few months of just the three of us.”
“Four,” he corrected. “Daenae forget Fraser. He’s practically part of this family.”
