Before Francesca could form a response, a small voice broke the tension.
“My Lord?”
They both turned to find Eloise standing a few feet away, Bluebell cradled carefully in her small arms. Her green eyes, so like Francesca’s own, were wide with uncertainty as she looked between the two adults.
“I am sorry if I was being too loud,” she said in her careful, polite way. “I did not mean to disturb you.”
Francesca’s heart clenched at the formality in the child’s voice, the way she seemed to shrink in on herself when faced with adult displeasure.
This was what constant criticism did to children. It made them afraid of their own joy.
Declan’s expression shifted, and some of the hardness left his features as he looked down at Eloise. “Ye werenae disturbin’ anythin’, lassie.”
Eloise brightened slightly at his gentler tone. “Lassie. Is that my name in Scotland?”
Francesca watched Declan as he considered how best to respond to the little girl.
“Nay. Lassie means ye are a little girl to be protected.”
“Oh, I see. Like the way Aunt Francesca takes care of me.” She held the rabbit up, “Would you… Would you like to hold Bluebell again? He seemed to enjoy it when you petted him before.”
The question hung in the air between them. Francesca watched as Declan hesitated, clearly torn between maintaining his stern principles and something softer that the child’s innocent offerhad awakened. She held her breath, waiting to see which side of him would win.
He did not say no.
That small omission spoke volumes. After a moment that stretched like eternity, Declan lowered himself to one knee, bringing himself closer to Eloise’s height. His large hands reached out to accept the small rabbit.
“There now,” he said quietly, his Highland burr soft as he cradled Bluebell against his chest. “He is a fine wee creature, is he nae?”
“Oh yes,” Eloise breathed, her face lighting up with delight. “And Aunt Francesca says he will help me feel at home here. Do you think that is true?”
“I think,” Declan said carefully, his eyes meeting Francesca’s briefly over the child’s head, “that sometimes the smallest things can bring the greatest comfort.”
So the mighty Highland Laird could scold her but would be gentle with a lonely child. That was good. Maybe her betrothed was not as bad as he wanted to seem.
“Will you teach me about Highland rabbits?” Eloise asked eagerly. “I want to take proper care of him.”
“Aye, if ye wish it.” There was something almost surprised in his voice, as if he had not expected to agree. “Highland creatures are hardy, but they need care and attention to thrive. Just like little bairns.”
Francesca allowed herself to smile.
“Just like you, sweetheart.”
“Hey, I’m no little, Aunt Francesca! Why would you say that? What will the big Highland Lord think!” Eloise pouted, embarrassed, and Francesca couldn’t contain her laughter.
“I see lassies in yer family are all very stubborn.” Declan said, giving the bunny back to Eloise. His voice was less icy than usual, and when Francesca turned to him, she could see the amusement on his face.
She lifted one eyebrow. “Will that be a problem?”
“We’ll see.”
He nodded to them both and left without another word.
“Do you think we made him mad? Is it something I did?”
Francesca turned to Eloise, stroking her hair. “Of course not, sweetheart. But this situation is a big change for him as well. We must all be a little patient.”
“Right. And he can’t be that bad if he petted Bluebell. Bad people don’t like small animals. Or…small people like me.”
