Page 58 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
Drat.
Victoria didn’t see the point in dancing around this subject, either. She could respect anyone’s wish to keep secrets, but it was a little hard to continue ignoring the fact that her employer had once been married. “Actually, we were speaking of your family. Kade missed you very much when you were away.”
“I was gone for too long. It was a mistake,” he said grimly.
“And he also mentioned how much he missed the countess.”
He went from brooding to puzzled. “Kade’s mother died in childbirth. He would have no memories of her.”
“He was speaking of your wife,” she said gently.
The earl didn’t move a muscle or vary his expression one iota, but she got the odd sensation that her words had just leveled him.
“I’m sorry if that causes you distress, sir,” she said. “Such was not my intent.”
He flicked a hand, startling her with the sudden, sharp movement.
“It’s fine. I wish to know everything that troubles Kade,” he said. “I didn’t realize he even thought about my . . . wife. He was quite young when she died.”
“He mentioned that they shared a love of music.”
“Yes, the countess was an accomplished musician. When she actually stayed at Arnprior, she would play for the lad. She was quite fond of him.”
Victoria found his choice of words and his tone somehow jarring. “Her ladyship did not spend much time at Arnprior?” she cautiously asked.
“She preferred our mansion in Glasgow.”
Ah, she recognizedthattone. It said:Rough ground ahead. Keep off.
Before he flicked his gaze out to the loch, Victoria saw bleakness in his expression.
“I’m truly sorry, sir,” she said quietly. “You must miss her very much.”
That brought his attention snapping back. “Must I? Yes, I suppose I must. After all, I loved her.”
Her consternation must have showed in her face.
He blew out an exasperated breath. “Forgive me, it’s just that—” The earl broke off, frowning as he gazed past her and toward the castle.
She spun around to see Mrs. Taffy hurrying toward them through the garden, her face crinkled with worry.
“That does not look good,” Victoria murmured.
“You have a talent for understatement, Miss Knight.”
When he strode to meet his housekeeper, Victoria picked up her skirts and rushed after him.
“Begging your pardon, Laird,” Taffy said, bobbing a curtsy. “But we have visitors, asking for you.”
He frowned. “We’re not expecting anyone, are we?”
“They’re customs men,” she said tersely.
He put up his hands in silent question.
“They want to ask you about a whisky distillery on Arnprior lands,” she said.
“We don’t have a—” His mouth clamped shut for a few seconds. “The twins,” he said through clenched teeth.
