Page 20 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

His betrothed had arrived.

He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and crossed the yard at an unhurried pace, watching her step down from the carriage and watching her eyes land and linger on him a moment longer than propriety strictly allowed.

“Me Lady.” His lips curled into an unashamed smirk. “Enjoying the view?”

“I was merely… I was looking at the castle.” Color rose to her cheeks.

“Of course ye were.” He offered his arm. After a moment’s hesitation, she took it. “I’ll have the maids prepare yer room. A warm bath as well. After all, ye’ve had a long journey and look in sore need of one.”

“How charming of ye to say so,” she said dryly.

“I’m occasionally charming. Ye’ll learn to recognize the rare moments.”

He led her toward the front doors, aware of every eye in the yard tracking their progress.

Let them watch. There was going to be a lot more of that the longer Skye spent here, so she was going to have to get used to it.

When Skye came down for dinner later in the evening, she found Dougal cutting Lily’s food into small bites. She paused, confused.

“Forgive me. I didnae mean to interrupt.”

Dougal glanced up from cutting the meat. “Ye’re nae interrupting. Sit.”

She sat, studying the little girl with open curiosity.

Dougal imagined the questions rattling around in her head. There had never been any mention of his daughter, whom he did his best to keep a secret. Not because he was ashamed, but simply because he was trying to protect her.

“Over there is me maither, Kenna, and this is Lily.”

Kenna smiled. “Good evening.”

Lily grinned. “Are ye the lady Da’s marrying?”

“So I’m told,” Skye said carefully, glancing at Dougal, who fixed her with a smoldering look that almost had her squirming in her seat.

No one noticed, but he did, and that was enough.

Lily puffed out her cheeks. “Da says it’s political. Is it true?”

“Lily,” Dougal warned gently.

“But Da, it’s true! Ye said it yerself the other night!”

Skye smiled, holding back her laughter. “I suppose it is.”

“Do ye like animals?”

The question seemed to take Skye by surprise for a moment, but she then smiled again. “I do love animals.”

Lily’s face lit up. “I have a cat named Blossom. She’s black and very clever. Da did promise me a goat but still hasnae gotten me one.”

“Lily, that is enough about the goat.”

“But it’s the truth,” Lily protested.

Kenna snorted a laugh.

Skye laughed herself.