Chapter 10

10

"Hello, there," Lana greeted gently. She could see the girl was fearful, and she wanted to put her at ease.

"What have I told ye about runnin'?" Daniel chided, his voice dark and stern.

The little girl looked over at him as her eyes grew wide. Lana sensed her hesitation, a true weighing of her options in the face of her stern father, and then the girl spoke up.

"I wanted to meet the ladies," Skye told him, full of honesty and eagerness that made Lana smile.

Lana worried Daniel would chastise the girl further, so she jumped in, hoping to smooth out the meeting.

"Surely ye've been excited about somethin' at some point in yer life, Me Laird?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

But Daniel's face was like stone. She couldn't tell what he was feeling.

Deciding that the little girl's opinion was much more important than her father's, Lana hiked up her skirts and knelt, putting herself at eye level with the little girl.

"I'm Lana," she said, smiling at the child. "What's yer name?"

"Skye," the girl replied. She took a step toward Lana. "I'm four."

"Very mature for a four-year-old!" Lana praised, raising her eyebrows.

Her surprise was partially genuine, as she would have guessed the little lady in front of her was a good two years older.

"Skye's a smart one," Cameron said, ruffling the girl's hair, and Skye beamed at him.

Lana could instantly sense the bond between the child and her uncle.

So, she's closer to Cameron than her faither.

"What a pretty dress ye're wearin'," Moira gushed, knowing that the best icebreakers were often compliments.

With her two eldest children married, Moira was becoming a skilled grandmother. Lana smiled to think she would be well-equipped to win Skye's affections.

"Thank ye," Skye said, bobbing a little curtsy that someone had clearly taught her.

Lana held back a laugh as the girl wobbled from side to side. When she glanced up at Daniel, his intense gaze was locked on her.

"I could show ye the garden," Skye offered, pointing to the center courtyard. "It's me favorite part of the castle."

But Daniel seemed ready to end these introductions. Lana saw him shift his weight before stepping forward to interrupt them.

"They're tired," he said as he took Skye's hand in his own. He pulled her away from Lana and passed her hand to Silvers.

"Ye must nae bother the ladies," Silvers chided softly, clearly knowing exactly what Daniel wanted her to say.

Lana caught Skye's eye and saw shame and disappointment on her little face. She hated to think that the girl thought she had done something wrong.

"Wait!" she cried, standing up quickly. "I have somethin' for ye."

Lana had forgotten all about what was in the carriage. But something about seeing the child downtrodden, her hand held in a vice-like grip by the housekeeper, made her remember what she had brought for the girl.

"For me?" Skye asked.

She practically bounced up and down at the thought of receiving a gift, and Silvers put her hands on the girl's shoulders, perhaps thinking she had a better chance of holding on if she used both hands.

Lana ducked into the carriage and found the basket still tucked carefully beneath the seat. She pulled up the fabric and saw the little kitten looking up at her, seemingly unbothered by the change of venue.

"What is it?" she heard Skye ask, and she turned back to her. She carried the basket to her and bent down. As if on cue, the kitten poked her head out and meowed.

"A kitten!" Skye squealed, even as the housekeeper cried out in surprise.

Silvers stepped back, leaving them standing over the basket.

"She's for ye," Lana said.

Skye lifted the cat into her arms, no hint of fear on her face.

"What is that?" Daniel asked.

Suddenly, Lana felt like the one being chastised. She stood up and squared her shoulders to face him.

"It's a gift," she explained. "For yer daughter."

Skye had the kitten tucked under her chin, and she was cooing to her, whispering words of love and affection. But Daniel was clearly not so thrilled. His face was dark as he stared back at Lana.

"What did I tell ye about spoilin' her?" he asked.

"Lighten up, Dan," Cameron interjected, trying to defuse the tension between them. "It's just a kitten. We all ken there are enough mice in there to feed an army of them."

"It's nae the point," Daniel gritted out.

"Can I keep her, Papa?" Skye asked. "Please?"

Lana felt a sudden fear grip her chest. She had never imagined that Daniel could refuse the little girl's present. If he took the kitten away, this kind gesture would quickly turn into a nightmare fueled by tears and pain. It was the last thing Lana wanted, and when she turned to Daniel, she could see that he was considering the same scenarios.

"I'm sorry, Me Laird," Lana said, appealing to his pride.

She would take the blame for this over and over if it meant Skye could keep her present. After only five minutes with the girl, she already felt intensely protective of her.

"Cameron, will ye show Moira her chambers?" Daniel asked, his gaze still locked on Lana.

Lana felt her mother's eyes on her, and she glanced over before giving her a comforting nod. "I'll see ye at dinner," she told her.

Moira hesitated for a moment, but when Cameron held out his arm to her, she took it. Lana watched her mother disappear into the large entryway of the castle.

"Silvers," Daniel nearly barked out, and the housekeeper scurried forward to hear his instructions. "Take the child inside."

"With that… thing?" Silvers asked.

But a single glare from Daniel kicked her into action. She gripped the child's wrist and pulled her toward the castle as Skye held the kitten with her other arm.

"Thank ye," Skye whispered to Lana, resisting the pull of the old woman as long as she could.

Lana smiled at her even as her stomach churned with unease—she could almost feel Daniel's wrath.

"Ye're welcome," she whispered back. "Maybe after supper, ye can show me the garden."

Lana saw the vigorous nod of the girl as she finally gave way to the housekeeper's pulling.

Silvers dragged the child up the stairs, but Skye didn't seem to mind. She was too busy cradling the cat in her arms and talking to her.

Now Lana stood alone with Daniel. His gaze was heavy and intense. She glanced up, aware that she had angered him. Fifteen minutes at the man's castle and she had already upset him. Lana didn't know whether to feel bad or triumphant.

"Come with me," he instructed.

He turned and walked into the castle. Lana watched him and then, with a deep, encouraging breath, followed him.

"That is the last time ye make decisions for me daughter without speaking to me."

Daniel paced in his study, a glass of whiskey in his hand. Lana sat on the sofa in front of him, watching him storm back and forth across the small room.

"I thought that's why ye're marryin' me," she challenged. "Am I nae here to take care of her?"

"Nay!" Daniel cried, raising his voice more than he meant to. "Ye are here to teach her to be a lady. Not to spoil her and bring her pets. I told ye already ye arenae the child's maither."

"She's four years old!" Lana argued. "We are a long way off from the rules of womanhood. What she needs is some fun."

"Do ye think me home is some prison?" Daniel asked. He slammed his glass on the table and refilled it, splashing liquid over the rim in his anger. "Do ye think she is locked away in some windowless room until I require her?"

"Nay," Lana said. She stared back, her eyes on fire with accusations. "But I think she is afraid of ye. If the child doesnae feel safe with her faither, how will she feel safe with anyone?"

The glass flew out of his hand before he knew what happened. He heard the impact as it hit the wall and shattered into pieces. They both froze at the sound of it, and Daniel felt his body go cold as Lana looked up at him with hatred in her eyes.

They were silent for a moment, letting the shock of the moment slowly subside. And then Lana spoke up.

"Ye told me I could do as I pleased," she reminded him, choosing her words carefully. "As long as it was safe. Wasnae that yer rule?"

"We arenae speaking of rules," Daniel spat out.

Lana stood up and walked over to him, her eyes full of challenge. "Aye, we must," she insisted. "Because now ye are breaking the rules. It is ye who is putting me in danger."

Daniel looked up to the ceiling, trying to dismiss the comment. "I wouldnae hurt ye, lass," he said gently, and there was remorse in his tone that seemed to catch her off guard. "But I daenae take kindly to accusations that me daughter isnae safe."

Lana was close to him, and he thought he saw recognition in her eyes. Perhaps she was feeling a touch of remorse about the turn this evening had taken as well.

"Fine," she relented, letting out a sigh. "I admit it was the wrong choice of words. But if ye are going to start breakin' the rules before we get married, ye need to find better reasons for it."

"Fine," Daniel echoed.

It was as close to an apology as he could muster, but Lana seemed to accept it. They even shared a small smile, both a bit sheepish about their fight.

As they looked at each other, Daniel saw something soften in Lana's eyes, and then, almost imperceptible, she stepped forward.

The air between them became heated again, and he felt the same crackling tension he had felt in her brother's hall. He remembered the way he had pulled her to him, the soft skin of her neck beneath his lips.

"If we are talking of breakin' rules," he whispered, bringing his mouth dangerously close to her ear, "then there are better rules we could be breakin'…"

He heard her let out the smallest gasp and saw her eyes darken with desire as his warm breath teased her ear. When he pulled back to look at her, he smirked as her eyes locked onto his lips, a silent request. But he wouldn't give in so easily.

He put a hand on her waist and felt the warmth of her curves, saw the blush that bloomed across her nose and cheeks. He slid his hand behind her back and felt her lean into him even as she turned her face up, locking eyes with him.

"Daniel," she breathed.

It was the first time he heard her use his name. It sent a thrill through him, and he yanked her forward so his hips ground against hers. She gasped again, and then her eyes were fixed on his mouth again.

Daniel waited, wanting her to say the words.

"Kiss me," she whispered.