Page 105 of Highland Ruse

“Claire.” The child’s name clogged in Delilah’s throat, and she dropped to her knees to embrace the girl.

Claire wrapped her arms around Delilah and clung to her with impossible strength.

The little girl whispered in Delilah’s ear, which was really more breath than words. “I missed ye so much, Lady Elizabeth.”

Lady Elizabeth.

Delilah winced against the reminder. She had so much to explain. She only hoped sweet Claire would understand.

“Let’s go to the solar.” Kaid’s voice abruptly interrupted the reunion.

Delilah caught the repetitive padding of leather-soled shoes heading for them. She moved in the opposite direction, toward his solar.

Claire curled her arms around Delilah’s neck and allowed herself to be carried without complaint. The girl’s slight heft was comforting against Delilah’s hip and brought to light the realization of how much she’d missed Claire. An odd thought. She’d never desired to be a mother, and now this child made her heart swell with something light and beautiful.

Kaid motioned them both into the solar and let the door lock behind them.

Delilah lowered Claire to the ground. The girl was wearing a lovely blue dress with a ring of lace stitched onto the edge of each sleeve.

Delilah remembered the girl mentioning the dress when they’d spoken before. It had been resewn, but there’d only been enough lace for the sleeves. “Was this your mother’s dress you told me about?” she asked.

Claire nodded emphatically. “Do ye like it?”

“It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.” Delilah placed a kiss on the girl’s silky blonde crown.

Before she could straighten, Claire’s hand found hers and clasped it tight.

“Thank ye for bringing her back, laird,” Claire said. “And I’m so glad ye love her too.” She grinned and looked between the two of them.

Kaid slid a glance toward Delilah. “And how do ye know I love her?”

Delilah’s heart tripped over itself in spite of her own flimsy warning.

Claire grabbed Kaid’s large fingers. “I know ye love her because ye brought her back to us. That, and ye were holding her hand, and ye’re always staring at her. I canna imagine ye’d look at someone for so long without loving them. Especially—”

Claire lifted her shoulder in a shy gesture, as if she meant to hide her face beneath them, and turned red to the tips of her ears.

“Especially when she’s so bonny?” Kaid offered.

Claire gave a wide smile and nodded vigorously.

“I couldna agree more.” Kaid moved closer, embracing Claire and Delilah together, and pressed an endearing kiss to Delilah’s lips. “I do love my bonny lasses.”

Claire beamed up at Kaid.

It was then Delilah knew with certainty in her heart that this was where she belonged. This was what families were supposed to be, what love was supposed to be.

Kaid loved her.

Hadn’t he just said so?

The giddy thought tickled through her and she suddenly wished Sylvi could be there to witness the heartfelt embrace, the bond of their mismatched, yet perfect, family.

Shouts came from below and pulled Kaid from their embrace. He strode toward the window, looked once, and then ran to the door. “I need to be in the courtyard. Stay in here, Delilah—we canna have anyone seeing ye. No’ yet.” He winked at Claire and gave Delilah a look which lasted long enough to demonstrate the depth of his affection.

“Delilah?” Claire asked, her confusion evident in the furrow of her brow.

Delilah’s heart flinched. The time had come to tell Claire about who she was.