Page 167 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
She stood. “I’m sorry, everyone, but I must see what my husband wants.”
“Oh, I can hazard a guess what he wants,” Aden said.
“Please remember that children are present, my dear,” Chloe said in a firm tone.
“I’m not a child,” Kade protested.
“Of course not,” Chloe said without batting an eyelash. “I was speaking of Alec.”
“That’s me, innocent as a babe in arms,” Alec said with a grin. “Although, last night Edie and I—”
“I’ll see you later,” Victoria said, cutting him off.
“I like your family,” Kade said as she linked arms with him and walked out to the hall. “They’re jolly.”
“Almost as jolly as your family.” Victoria smiled at a few guests who were going into the card room.
“Not Royal, though. He’s even gloomier these days. But when I ask him, he always says nothing’s wrong.”
“I believe he’s missing his friend, Lady Ainsley,” Victoria said.
Ainsley had departed a few weeks ago for her great-aunt’s manor house up north. She’d refused to stay for the ball, despite pressure from Victoria and Edie. When Victoria asked Royal if he knew why she was in such a hurry, he’d scowled and said that Ainsley did whatever she wanted, whether it made sense or not.
“I thought he and Lady Ainsley hated each other,” Kade said.
“No, but they do seem to have a complicated relationship, don’t they?”
“Rather,” Kade said in a dry tone, sounding much older than his years.
“Where is Royal?”
“He’s in the ballroom with Graeme. Royal said that invalids have to sit together and keep each other company.”
Victoria mentally sighed. She would have to pay greater attention to Royal. The man was clearly suffering, and his brothers didn’t know how to help him. At the moment, neither did she, but she had no intention of letting that get in her way.
“You let me worry about Royal. I promise he’ll be fine.”
“I hope so,” Kade said. “It’s splendid that we’re all together again, and I want him to be happy too.”
“He will be, someday.”
“There’s Nick and Grandda,” Kade said when they reached the top of the central staircase.
Hearing his brother’s voice, Nicholas turned. Any worries Victoria had about Royal or the family faded under the warmth of her husband’s gaze.
“About time, my love.” Nicholas bent to press a quick kiss to her lips. “I’ve hardly seen you all evening.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s only been half an hour since we danced.” She went up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “But I’ve missed you, too.”
“The Kendricks are yer family now,” Angus said. “Yer the Countess of Arnprior, lass, and one of the finest ladies in the land. Yer place is by yer laird’s side, not hanging aboot with a bunch of frippery Englishmen.”
She almost choked at that description.
“Victoria’s family is very nice, Grandda,” Kade said.
“Indeed they are, and one can hardly describe Sir Dominic and Aden as frippery,” Nicholas said.
“I’m going back down to join them,” Kade said. “Why don’t you come along, Grandda?”
