Page 165 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
“Nick would have dragged you off to the parson in any case,” Logan said. “To say he was eager to claim his bride doesn’t begin to describe his impatience.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Especially for the wedding night.”
“Logan Kendrick, behave yourself.” Victoria shifted her stern look at Aden. “You too.”
Her brother sighed dramatically. “We’re in the dog house now, Kendrick.”
“I practically live there,” Logan replied.
They were seated in the formal drawing room at Kendrick House, which had been converted into a supper room. The staff had set up over a dozen tables, all covered in starched white linen and graced with the family’s best silver, plate, and crystal. Huge vases filled with white roses adorned the sideboards, and dozens of candles lit the room in a soft, shimmering glow.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the servants, the elegant mansion looked stunning and was once more the comfortable abode of a happy family. Victoria still preferred Kinglas, but Glasgow was beginning to feel like home too.
“You and Arnprior do know how to throw a grand party,” Alec said, toasting Victoria with his wineglass. “The best part is the twins can wreck your house for once, instead of mine.”
“That’s a regular day of the week around here,” Logan said.
“Graeme can hardly be expected to wreck anything, since he’s still on crutches,” Victoria said. “I don’t know where Grant is at the moment, but I expect he’ll stay out of trouble, despite all the pretty girls here tonight.” Both twins had been subdued since the elopement fiasco, and she could only hope their newfound good sense would last.
“Speaking of pretty girls,” Logan said, “I’m heading up to the ballroom. Perhaps I can snag a few to dance with.” He gave them a friendly nod and strolled out.
“Your brother-in-law cuts a dashing figure in his clan attire,” Chloe said. “I’m sure he’ll find many ladies who are interested.”
“I hope so,” Victoria said.
For a man with a rakish reputation, Logan led a quiet and orderly life. At her insistence, he’d moved into Kendrick House. Now he spent most of the day at his office and warehouse down at the docks. Evenings he was at home, talking to his brothers, reading his correspondence, or listening to Kade play music. Logan and Nicholas were rubbing along fairly well, although they sometimes argued. The wounds between them ran deep, and it would take time and patience for them to entirely heal.
Still, there was no doubt Nicholas was happy that he’d made peace with Logan, and the rest of the family was overjoyed that he’d finally allowed the prodigal brother to return home.
“Logan seems like a fine man,” Dominic said from his seat at the end of the table. “I’m glad he’s returned to the family fold.”
“Not as glad as I am,” said Alec. “Fellow saved our collective arses.”
“He’s certainly the reason I’m sitting here,” Victoria said.
Dominic grimaced. “Yes, about that, I can’t tell you—”
She held up an admonishing finger. “You are not to apologize again, sir. None of what happened was your fault.”
“I told you to keep secrets from Arnprior,” the magistrate said, “which was a miscalculation on my part.”
Aden waggled a hand. “I did too, so blame to share.”
“And then I failed to realize Fletcher had left London.” Dominic shook his head, clearly disgusted. “I don’t think I’ll ever live that down.”
“Perhaps you’re just getting old, my love,” Chloe said with a mischievous twinkle.
“Thank you for that observation,” her husband replied.
“You were out of town at the time,” Victoria protested. “How were you to know the wretched man had left London?”
Dominic and Chloe had been in Yorkshire, visiting with the Marquess and Marchioness of Lendale for the holidays. Once Dominic learned that Fletcher was in Scotland, he’d set off for Glasgow, arriving the day of the attempt on Victoria’s life. By the time Victoria and Nicholas reached the city, Dominic had already done much of the work necessary to have her case dismissed. There’d been some consternation regarding Logan’s role in Fletcher’s demise, but with Dominic’s assistance, the judicial inquiry had been conducted quickly and discreetly. Since the Kendrick family was highly regarded in Glasgow, they’d managed to evade an outright scandal.
“Still, I should have anticipated that Fletcher might try something like that,” Dominic said.
“It’s hard for even the great Sir Dominic to anticipate the actions of a lunatic,” Aden said wryly.
“Very true,” Chloe said. “And why are we talking about that sad, awful man? We’re celebrating Victoria’s marriage.”
“Correct as always, my dear.” Dominic gave Victoria a little bow. “Forgive me, Lady Arnprior. I had no intention of spoiling such a splendid event.”
