Page 109 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
“Victoria, in case you didn’t notice, we were among the first to leave,” Royal said. “For some reason, Nick seemed eager to get out of there.”
“I didn’t hear you raise any objections to our early departure,” Nick retorted.
“I’m not much a one for parties.” Royal then flashed Nick a taunting smile. “But it’s a shame you felt the need to drag Victoria away before midnight. You never let the poor lass have any fun.”
“Have you forgotten we arrived early to dine with the Gilbrides? We didn’t exactly cut and run, you imbecile.” Nick gave Victoria an apologetic grimace. “But I’m sorry if you feel I dragged you away. I thought you’d like to spend part of the evening with Kade and Braden. They’re waiting up for us.” That was very true, and also a convenient excuse.
“I was quite content to leave, my lord. I’d rather ring in the New Year with your family than with a roomful of strangers. I’m not used to attending balls and soirees, as you know. Governesses are rarely invited to such events.”
Nick pretended shock. “You mean you don’t miss being trampled by a mob on the way to an overheated supper room, or having to fend off impertinent young men in their cups?”
“No one would dare be impertinent with you glowering at every male under the age of sixty who even glanced her way,” Royal said.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Victoria danced with a number of gentlemen tonight, as you well know.” Nick knew exactly how many, because he’d counted every blasted nincompoop who’d come sniffing around her skirts.
“And you looked like you wanted to murder every one of them.”
“You seemed to be enjoying yourself too, Royal,” Victoria said. “You spent quite a bit of time chatting with Lady Ainsley.”
“I was seated next to her at supper, so I could hardly ignore the poor girl. As much as I would have liked to,” he added, inspecting a seam on his gloves. “But one cannot be rude.”
Nick scoffed. “That’s never stopped you before.”
In fact, he’d been worried to see that Edie had placed Royal and Ainsley together. He’d spent the first course directing warning glares at his brother, half expecting he’d have to leap in to prevent a verbal altercation. Somehow, though, Royal and the snooty beauty had managed to make it through dinner without any fireworks.
“Perhaps I thought it might be more amusing not to cause a scene,” Royal said in a dour tone.
“I’m sure our hosts were grateful for your forbearance,” Victoria said with an encouraging smile. “You were sitting with her during the dancing, and the two of you seemed to be engaged in quite a good discussion.”
While Nick had missed that conversation, Victoria had obviously kept a careful eye on all his brothers. In fact, she’d developed into something of a mother hen when it came to the lads, including Royal.
Royal scowled at her. “I don’t need you spying on me, Victoria. I’m a grown man.”
“Though you don’t always act like one,” Nick said.
His brother flushed. “I was just explaining the sword dance to Ain—Lady Ainsley. I thought she might like to know what the steps meant, that’s all.”
Perhaps it bothered Royal that he could no longer take part in the dances. Before his injury, no one in the family— indeed the entire county—had performed the sword dance with more grace and athleticism than his brother.
Dammit.
Perhaps dragging his brother along to this sort of affair wasn’t such a good idea. Of course it would be a painful reminder of everything he’d lost to the war.
Victoria nodded. “That was very kind of you. I enjoyed it as well. How clever of Edie to arrange for performers to entertain the guests with some of the old reels and dances.”
For the rest of the ride home, she kept up a steady stream of good-natured commentary about the party. But Royal barely said a word, and Nick was more than ready to get out of the damn carriage by the time they rolled up to Kendrick House. By the tiny sigh Victoria expelled, it seemed she’d had enough of Royal for one night, too.
When the footman opened the carriage door, Royal bolted out as fast as his injured leg would allow.
“Sorry, lass,” Nick said. “He shouldn’t treat you like that.”
“No, I embarrassed him. I wonder—”
He tipped her chin up and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “No more wondering or worrying about my brothers for the rest of the evening. You’re off duty, Miss Knight.”
She dimpled up at him. “As you wish, my lord.”
“By the way,” he said as he helped her up, “have I told you how pretty you look? I was tempted to carry you off to a secluded alcove and have my way with you.”
