Page 68 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
With Victoria’s help, Nick thought he might be able to polish up the twins enough to help them find respectable wives, at least if he didn’t have the problem of Logan distracting him. Just being in the same room with his brother was starting to make him twitch.
“I think I might have a solution to that particular problem,” Logan said.
“The twins?” Royal asked.
Logan nodded. “I know exactly what to do with them.”
“There’s nothin’ wrong with the laddies,” Angus said. “They’re just young and full of vinegar.”
“They’re idiots is what they are,” Royal said. “And the next time they get into trouble, Nick might not be able to get them out of it.”
“They can work for me,” Logan said. “I’m setting up an office and warehouse in Glasgow, and I can use the help.”
When they all stared at him, he shrugged. “I’m a roaring success, as you might have heard. I’ve more than enough funds to support the twins, and then some.” Logan cast a quick glance around the library. “And help out the estate, too, if need be.”
“So you’re just going to waltz in and fix everything, are you?” Nick jabbed a finger at Logan. “I don’t need your damn help. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of the familyandKinglas.”
“That’s not what I heard,” Logan said in a mild tone.
When Nick directed a hard stare at Angus, the old man winced. “Ye ken we need the help, lad. We’re not as flush with funds as we used to be.”
“And the reason for that is because of certain decisionsyoumade while I was away,” Nick said. “Decisions I am now trying to correct to put the estate back on its formerly sound footing.”
“You did leave him in charge, Nick,” Logan said. “I’m sure Angus did the best he could.”
It was an entirely reasonable point. Unfortunately, Nick felt far from reasonable at the moment.
“Aye, that I did,” Angus said with wounded dignity.
“Is that why you came back?” Nick asked his brother. “To assuage your guilt by buying me off?”
Logan’s gaze narrowed to irritated slits. “I came back to help my family. Believe it or not, I miss them, including you.”
“I repeat, I don’t need your help,” Nick replied in a cold voice.
“I think you do.” Logan paused for a second, as if gathering himself. “AndIneed your forgiveness, so I’m not leaving until I get it.”
Royal leaned forward, his gaze earnest. “It’s time, Nick. You need to let it go.”
Nick snorted. “You’re one to talk—the man who never lets anything go.”
“Like Logan said, you’re a better man than we are.”
Nick had heard quite enough about what a good man he was. Shoving back from his desk, he stood and glared at Logan. “Apparently, I’m not, because you’ll be waiting until hell freezes over before I forgive you.”
Chapter Fourteen
Victoria hurried down the hall to find Royal slouched on the floor by the library door and Angus pacing back and forth, all but wearing a path in the carpet. She paused to draw in a calming breath. The dramatics of the last few days were proving exceedingly trying—as were all the Kendrick men, starting with the earl and moving down the line.
Spotting her, Angus extracted an ancient-looking timepiece from his vest pocket. “Is the lad asleep? It’s well-nigh eleven o’clock.”
“Yes, finally. The poor boy was clearly worn out.” Her short tone had the two men exchanging a guilty glance.
“How is he?” Royal asked as he pushed against the wall and clambered to his feet. “When I tried to talk to him, he would only say that we were all fatheads, and that he intended to ignore us until we stopped fighting.”
“He’s embarrassed by his family’s behavior.”
Angus bristled. “Embarrassed by his own family? Ridiculous.”
