Page 74 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

“Ye’ve done far more than that, and ye ken it.” Kenna’s gaze sharpened. “Ye’re still thinking of yesterday, are ye nae? Of what Dougal did.”

And there it was, her thoughts being dragged back to Dougal.

Skye almost preferred to think about the dream. It was easier than considering what his protectiveness meant for both of them.

Her hands stilled where they rested against Lily’s sleeping form. “I daenae ken what ye mean, me Lady.”

“Ye ken exactly what I mean, lass, though I willnae press ye on it.”

Kenna’s smile was soft, almost sad. Skye felt guilty for refusing to discuss the subject, but it was not one she was comfortable speaking about at the moment.

“I’ll only say this. A man doesnae do what me son did yesterday for a woman who means nothing to him. Whatever ye tell yerself about yer arrangement, I think ye ken that well enough.”

Skye said nothing, only looked down at Lily’s peaceful face, unable to meet Kenna’s eyes.

“I will consider it,” she said carefully.

“That is all I ask of ye, Skye. I ask nothing else.”

She smiled softly. “Thank ye, me Lady.”

“Rest, if ye can,” Kenna said gently, rising at last and gesturing for a maid to carry Lily up to bed. “Ye’ve had a fright yerself, whatever ye claim otherwise.”

The maid crossed the room and gathered Lily into her arms, the girl stirring only enough to mumble something about Blossom before settling back into sleep, her head tucked against the maid's shoulder as she was carried from the room.

Skye shook her head. “I am fine. It happened yesterday, and today is a new day. I am nae thinking about it.”

Well, she was now, but only because Kenna had brought it up.

“Are ye nae?” Kenna arched an eyebrow, entirely unconvinced. “Because ye’ve gone rather pale just saying so, lass.”

“I havenae.”

Skye wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself or the woman. It was hard to tell.

“Ye have. I’ve raised a son who tries the very same trick on me, and it doesnae work.” Kenna settled back into her seat, studying her patiently. “There’s no shame in being frightened, ye ken.”

“I wasnae frightened for meself.” Skye’s hands twisted in her lap. “I was frightened for Lily. For what might have happened had things gone differently.”

“Aye, I ken. But ye were grabbed too, Skye. Ye neednae set that aside simply because it wasnae the worst of what could have happened.”

“I daenae want to make more of it than it was.”

Kenna only hummed softly, speaking no more of the subject.

Skye was grateful. She already had enough to think about and didn’t want to think about it anymore tonight.

“Goodnight, Lady Kenna.”

Kenna smiled. “Goodnight, Skye. Sleep well.”

26

Dinner started simple. They gathered around the table, Lily chattering on and on about her goat and Blossom, before she asked him to help her name her goat.

“After dinner,” he promised.

She beamed from ear to ear. “Thank ye, Da!”