Page 62 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
She stared blankly at him. Her brain couldn’t seem to catch up. “He died?”
“More than six years ago.”
Now it became clear. “About the time your brothers became estranged?”
He nodded as he cast an impatient glance over her shoulder. The voices in the hall were growing in volume. “Miss, I’ve got to get down there.”
“Very well, but just tell me . . . blast,” she muttered as Grant brushed past and ran down the stairs. She didn’t immediately follow, giving herself a moment to sort through all she’d just heard.
Despite the occasional flashes of genuine charm, Arnprior was a deeply somber man who carried a heavy weight of responsibility. Now she knew he carried a terrible weight of sorrow as well due to the death of both his wife and his son. Her heart ached for him, and for the rest of the family, who were all but drowning in painful secrets.
Victoria tucked a few stray hairs back into their pins and smoothed her lace cuffs, then took the stairs down to the entrance hall. Grant was probably correct—she should go back to her room and mind her own business. But she had no intention of abandoning Kade, or Lord Arnprior, for that matter.
In the center of the hall was a giant of a man dressed in breeches, boots, and a travel-stained greatcoat. Like all the Kendrick men, he was muscular and well built, but in this case exceptionally so. He topped the twins by at least two inches, and seemed even more brawny than the earl himself.
Kade had thrown himself into Logan’s arms and was all but swallowed up in the big man’s embrace. The twins and Angus hovered nearby, looking torn between excitement and apprehension. Several servants milled aimlessly and Taffy stood off to the side, dabbing a handkerchief to her eyes as she struggled to contain herself. The dogs added to the mayhem, tumbling about and adding to the din reverberating off the high rafters. With so much noise, it was all but impossible to hear voices.
The room was chilly, since the footmen, apparently as excited as the dogs, had forgotten to close the front door. Victoria hurried to shut the door, then sidled past the dogs and the servants to join the housekeeper.
Taffy gave her a watery smile. “Och, miss, we’re at sixes and sevens, what with Mr. Logan’s return home from Canada.”
Victoria leaned in close. “I take it no one was expecting him?”
“No.” The housekeeper gave her nose a quick wipe and then stowed her handkerchief up a sleeve. “Ye’ll be thinking I’m a silly nit for crying, but it’s been years since we’ve seen the lad. He’s been sorely missed, I can tell ye.”
“But not by the earl, I take it.”
Taffy shot her a wary glance. “What did Mr. Grant tell you?”
“Only that the earl and his brother are estranged. Oh, and that his lordship had a son,” she added. “That came as a bit of a shock.”
Taffy had the grace to look sheepish. “I’m right sorry for not telling you, lass. The laird doesn’t like us talking about the poor wee boy.”
“Or his wife or brother, apparently.”
The housekeeper raised her hands in a helpless gesture. “You have to understand how things were for the laird. First Lady Arnprior died so suddenly, and then—”
“Miss Knight,” Kade shouted over the noise. “Come meet Logan.” He waved excitedly at her from his brother’s embrace.
She smiled and waved back. “I’ll be right there.” She returned her attention to the housekeeper. “I take it that the earl is likely to be displeased about this development.”
“That, miss, is an understatement,” she said grimly. “Mr. Royal went to look for him and to try to prepare him.”
“Then might I suggest we at least try to enforce a little decorum before the earl arrives. This sort of upset is not likely to improve his already unhappy mood.”
“Right you are, miss. I’ll have tea brought to the family drawing room when things settle down.”
While the housekeeper set about restoring order among the servants and the dogs, Victoria made her way over to the family group.
Kade grabbed her hand. “Miss Knight, this is my brother Logan.” His eyes shone with excitement. “He’s been in Canada for over six years.Andhe’s apparently as rich as Croesus, which is rather fun.”
She dipped into a curtsy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kendrick.”
“And you as well, Miss Knight,” he replied in a deep, resonant voice. He gave her a sweeping bow.
When he straightened, he towered over her, forcing her to peer up at him. She found herself looking into laughing blue eyes that were almost a match to the earl’s. In fact, Logan strongly resembled his brother, having the same rugged, handsome features and hair so dark it appeared blue-black.
Unlike the earl, however, he had an easy smile and a charming manner that suggested he was entirely at ease with the awkward situation. If Logan was worried about his older brother’s reaction to his sudden return to the ancestral home, he certainly didn’t display it.
