Page 21 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

Kenna set down her cup, studying her with open interest now that the introductions were behind them. “So, ye’re the lass who’s caused such an uproar in the Highlands.”

Skye nearly choked on her bread. “I suppose I am.”

“Daenae look so frightened, lass. I mean it as a compliment. It takes a certain kind of woman to write what ye write and still sit here so composed, under me son’s roof, eating supper as if nothing were amiss.”

“I’m nae certain composed is the word I’d use,” Skye admitted.

“Ye’re doing a fine job of it regardless.” Kenna’s eyes flicked briefly over her gown, her hands, the careful way she held herself. “Good posture. Kind eyes. And ye laughed at Lily’s nonsense about the goat rather than looking put out by it. That tells me plenty.”

“The goat isnae nonsense,” Lily interjected, her mouth full. “It’s a promise. Da promised it.”

“I said I’d consider it,” Dougal corrected.

“That’s the same as promising.”

“It isnae.”

“Grandmaither, tell him it’s the same.”

Kenna held up both hands, laughter in her eyes. “I willnae get between a lass and her goat. That’s a battle yer faither must lose on his own.”

Skye smiled into her cup, watching the exchange unfold like something out of a story she hadn’t written yet.

“Do ye have any sisters?” Lily asked suddenly, turning her full attention to Skye.

“I do. An elder sister called Freya, and a braither called Kaden.”

“Is Freya nice?”

“Very nice. Though she’d deny it if ye asked her.”

“I’ve got no sisters,” Lily said, matter-of-fact. “But I’ve got Blossom.”

“Blossom sounds like an excellent substitute.”

“She isnae a substitute. She’s better.” Lily paused for a moment, then leaned forward. “Do ye think ye and Da will have more bairns? I’d like to have a sister.”

The table went very still.

“Lily,” Dougal chided.

“What? It’s a fair question.”

“It’s nae the sort of question ye ask at supper.”

“When is it appropriate to ask, then?”

Skye pressed her lips together, fighting a laugh she knew would only encourage the girl further. “I think that’s a conversation for another day, sweetling.”

“That’s what grown-ups say when they mean nay.”

“Sometimes,” she allowed, “it means we simply daenae ken yet.”

Lily seemed to accept that, nodding sagely before returning to her meal as though she hadn’t just upended the entire table.

Kenna caught Skye’s eye across the candlelight, something warm and knowing passing between them. “Ye handled that better than most would.”

“I’ve had practice. Freya asks worse.”