Page 31 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
Royal ignored him. “No, my sainted brother will simply scowl and lecture, and convey a great sense of disappointment until he has us begging for mercy. Or else he’ll scold us until my brothers and I throw ourselves off the castle battlements. Problem solved.”
“Thank you for that charming depiction of my character,” Arnprior said. “I’m sure you’ve done much to convince Miss Knight to stay.”
Royal smiled. “You’re welcome.”
A muscle ticked in Arnprior’s jaw as he quite evidently ground his molars. Victoria couldn’t help feeling sorry for the poor man. He was trying to do his best for his family, and they were fighting him every step of the way.
Still, that was not her problem.
“Forgive me for speaking bluntly, my lord,” she said. “But I believe Mr. MacDonald will do everything he can to undermine me, and at least some of your brothers appear greatly influenced by him.”
“She’s got you there, Arnprior,” Alec said from his corner. “Old Angus will drive you all crazy if she stays.”
The earl shot him a nasty look. “You’re supposed to be helping me, remember?”
“He is, is he?” Victoria wasn’t surprised but couldn’t help feeling annoyed.
Arnprior nodded. “Captain Gilbride feels it would be in everyone’s best interests—including yours—if you were to take up the position.”
She glanced over her shoulder to glare at Alec, who was looking sheepish. “I didn’t put it quite like that,” he said.
“I should hope not, since it’s not your decision to make,” Victoria said.
“No, but his advice is worth noting,” Arnprior said. “And following.”
“My lord, it is not up to you or my cou—” She caught herself just in time. “It’s not up to you, Captain Gilbride, or anyone else to decide what is best for me.”
The earl’s gaze narrowed thoughtfully. When he finally lifted a hand in a dismissive gesture, she could breathe again.
“Of course,” he said. “But we don’t always know what is truly in our best interests, do we?”
She stared at him, amazed by his casual assumption thathewould know what was best forher. Arnprior’s response to her stare was a slight but infuriatingly arrogant smile.
“Best give it up, lass,” Royal said, looking sympathetic. “When Nick decides on something, you might as well surrender. He generally takes the field no matter the odds.”
“I am hardly a battlefield, Mr. Kendrick,” she snapped. “Nor do I have any intention of surrendering anything.”
“Well, since you are neither a battlefield nor an opposing army,” the earl said, “there is no need for surrender. I think we can, however, have a reasonable conversation about the advantages of taking up a position in my household, can we not?”
Argh.The blasted man would not give up.
Victoria rose to her feet. “No, my lord, we cannot. Please accept my apologies, but I must definitively state that I cannot—”
When a knock on the door interrupted her, she was tempted to pick up her cup and throw its contents at Arnprior—or Alec, or Royal, or any other stubborn, arrogant man who came within throwing distance.
Mrs. Taffy bobbed a curtsy. “Begging your pardon, but Mr. Braden and Master Kade are here. The footmen are helping the wee master into the entrance hall.”
The earl was already striding around his desk.
“What the hell are they doing here so early?” Royal said, hauling himself up. “Surely to God they didn’t travel through the night. Not with Kade still so weak.”
“We’ll soon find out,” Arnprior said. He paused at the door. “Forgive me, Miss Knight. We’ll have to finish this discussion later.”
“My lord, I believe you already know . . . oh, blast,” she muttered as he disappeared. To her mind, the discussion was over but Arnprior was clearly not ready to concede. She would probably have to sneak out to the stables and pole up the horses herself in order to make good her escape.
Royal limped to the door. “Come along, Miss Knight. You might as well meet the pupil you’re going to abandon.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “Excuse me, but I thought you wanted me gone.”
