Chapter 22
Declan woke to the moonlight still streaming through his chamber window and the realization that he was alone in his bed. For a moment, panic flared, then he heard it. Francesca’s voice, soft and soothing, drifted from the corridor.
“It was just a dream, darling. You’re safe. I’m here.”
He found them in Eloise’s chamber, Francesca sitting on the bed with the child curled in her lap. Bluebell dozed at their feet while both kittens purred nearby. Eloise’s face was tear-stained, her small body still trembling from whatever nightmare had woken her.
“I dreamed she came back,” Eloise whispered. “The bad lady. She said she was going to take me away again and kill me.”
“Shh.” Francesca rocked her gently. “She’s gone, sweetheart. She can never hurt you again.”
“But what if there are other bad people? What if someone else tries to take me?”
“Then yer da will stop them.” Declan’s voice made them both look up. He moved into the room, settling on the bed beside them. “No one will ever take ye again, lass. I swear it.”
Eloise reached for him with one hand, the other still clutching Francesca. “Promise?”
“I promise.” He took her small hand in his much larger one. “Ye’re a MacGhee now. That means the entire clan protects ye. Anyone who tries to harm ye will answer to me first.”
“And me,” Francesca added firmly. “I’ll always fight for you, Eloise. Always.”
The child’s breathing gradually steadied, her grip loosening as she relaxed between them. “Can I sleep in your bed tonight? Both of you?”
Declan met Francesca’s eyes over Eloise’s head. They’d spent the past three nights like this—waking to Eloise’s screams, comforting her through nightmares, holding her until she felt safe enough to sleep again.
“Aye, lass. Come on then.”
They settled in his massive bed—Eloise between them, her animals arranged around them like furry sentinels. Bluebell claimed the foot of the bed, while Declan, the kitten, curled against Eloise’s chest, and Flora nestled by Francesca’s hip.
“Tell me a story?” Eloise asked sleepily. “About brave people who win?”
“What kind of story?” Declan’s hand found Francesca’s across Eloise’s body, their fingers threading together.
“About a princess who saves herself. Like in the book.” Eloise yawned. “But this time, she has a family who helps her. A mama and a da who love her.”
“Once upon a time,” Francesca began, her voice soft in the darkness, “there was a princess who had lost everything…”
“But then she found a new family,” Declan continued, picking up the thread. “A fierce Highland laird and his lady who saw how special she was.”
“And they loved her?” Eloise’s eyes were already drifting closed.
“More than anything in the world,” they said together.
By the time the story ended, Eloise was asleep, her breathing deep and even. Declan lay awake, watching his wife and daughter in the moonlight, and felt something he’d thought lost forever.
Peace.
Morning came too early. Declan extracted himself carefully from the tangle of limbs and animals, leaving Francesca and Eloise still sleeping. He had clan business to attend to: reports from the border patrols, accounts to review, a dozen matters that had been neglected during the crisis.
But when he reached his study, he found he couldn’t focus. His mind kept drifting to the woman and child upstairs, to the family he’d never meant to have but now couldn’t imagine living without.
“Knock knock.” Fraser’s voice preceded him into the room. “Or should I say, good mornin’ to the most domesticated laird in all the Highlands?”
“Daenae start.”
“Start what? I’m simply observin’ that ye’ve got a child sleepin’ in yer bed, animals overrunnin’ yer castle, and a wife who’s wrapped ye around her little finger so thoroughly ye daenae even realize it’s happened.
” Fraser dropped into a chair with obvious amusement.
“The fearsome Declan Blain, now readin’ bedtime stories and toleratin’ rabbits at the dinner table. ”
“The rabbit doesnae sit at the table.”
“Nay, but ye let Eloise bring him to breakfast yesterday. In a basket. Which she set on the chair beside her.” Fraser’s grin widened. “Face it, cousin. Ye’re a family man now.”
Declan wanted to argue. Wanted to insist he was still the same stern laird he’d always been. But the truth was undeniable. He’d changed, or maybe he’d finally become the man he was always meant to be.
“Aye,” he admitted quietly. “I suppose I am.”
“Good.” Fraser’s expression sobered. “They’re good for ye, Declan. That woman and her daughter. They’ve brought life back to these halls. To ye.”
“I ken.” He stared at the paperwork before him without really seeing it. “I keep waitin’ for the fear to come back. The certainty that carin’ for them makes me weak.”
“And?”
“And all I feel is stronger. Like I finally understand what I’m fightin’ for.” Declan looked up at his cousin.
A knock sounded at the door. Betsy poked her head in, her face creased with concern.
“Beggin’ yer pardon, Me Laird, but the wee lass is askin’ for ye. She woke up and got frightened when ye werenae there.”
Declan was on his feet immediately. “Where is she?”
“In yer chamber still with Lady Francesca. but she’s quite upset.”
He was already moving, taking the stairs two at a time. He found Eloise sitting in the middle of his bed, tears streaming down her face while Francesca tried to comfort her.
“I thought ye left!” Eloise sobbed when she saw him. “I thought ye were gone.”
“I’m here, lass.” He scooped her up, holding her against his chest. “I was just in me study. I didnae go anywhere.”
“But what if ye had? What if ye decided ye didnae want me anymore.”
“That will never happen.” He sat on the bed with her in his lap, Francesca moving close beside them. “Listen to me, Eloise. Yer me daughter now. Nothin’ and no one can change that. Nae distance, nae time, nae anythin’.”
“Really?” Her voice was small, hopeful.
“Really.” He pressed a kiss to her head. “From now on, ye’re part of me mornin’ routine. How about that? Every mornin’, ye and yer mother and I have breakfast together, and ye can follow me to the solar. That way ye’ll always ken where I am.”
“Every mornin’?”
“Every single one.” He looked at Francesca. “If that’s acceptable to yer mother of course.”
“It’s more than acceptable.” Her smile was radiant. “It’s perfect.”
The next few days established a new rhythm.
Mornings began with breakfast together—Declan, Francesca, and Eloise, with Fraser joining them more often than not.
Eloise would chatter about her animals or ask questions about Highland legends while Declan found himself actually looking forward to these meals instead of viewing them as obligations.
Afternoons, he’d handle clan business while Francesca worked with Eloise on lessons. The healer had warned that keeping the child occupied and feeling safe was crucial to her recovery, so they’d created a routine of reading, drawing, and gentle activities.
But it was the evenings Declan treasured most. After dinner, they’d retire to the family solar, a room that had sat unused for years but now had become the heart of their home.
Eloise would play with her animals while Francesca read or did needlework, and Declan would review reports or simply watch his family with contentment he’d never thought to feel.
“Da?” Eloise looked up from where she’d been teaching Bluebell to hop through a small hoop she’d constructed. “Can I ask ye somethin’?”
“Aye, lass.”
“Were ye scared? When the bad lady took me?” She asked it matter-of-factly, but he could see the need for reassurance in her eyes.
“Terrified.” He set aside his papers, giving her his full attention. “I’ve faced enemy clans in battle, stood against men twice me size, but nothin’ has ever scared me as much as thinkin’ I might not get ye back.”
“Why?”
“Because ye’re me daughter. And a father protects his children above all else.”
“Even above the clan?” Her eyes were wide, curious.
“The clan is important, aye. But ye and yer mother, ye’re the reason I protect the clan. The reason I fight to keep these lands safe.” He pulled her onto his lap, something that was becoming natural as breathing. “Do ye understand what I’m sayin’?”
“I think so.” She nestled against his chest. “Ye love us more than anythin’.”
“Aye, lass. More than anythin’ in this world.”
Francesca looked up from her needlework, and the love in her eyes made his breath catch. How had he ever thought he could keep her at arm’s length?
“I have an idea,” Francesca said suddenly. “Why daenae we ride to the village tomorrow? All of us together. Let Eloise see that life continues, that she’s safe to explore.”
“Is that wise?” Declan’s protective instincts immediately flared. “It’s only been a few days since what happened.”
“Which is exactly why we should go.” Francesca set down her needlework. “We can’t let fear keep her trapped in this castle. She needs to see that the world isn’t all dangerous, that there are still good people and safe places.”
“What if she’s nae ready?”
“Then we’ll come home.” Francesca moved to kneel beside his chair, taking his hand. “But we have to try, Declan. We can’t let what happened steal her childhood.”
He looked at Eloise and saw the hope dawning in her small face. “What do ye think, lass? Want to visit the village tomorrow?”
“Will ye and Mama both be there? The whole time?”
“Every moment.”
“Then yes.” Her smile was tentative but real. “I want to go.”
“A gift from the Highland gods,” Fraser proclaimed as they gathered in the courtyard the next morning, gesturing at the clear blue sky. “Perfect weather for a family outing, wouldn’t ye say?”
The day had indeed dawned bright and beautiful. They rode out mid-morning, Eloise secure in front of Francesca on her mare while Declan stayed close beside them.