Page 25 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
“Whom do you think?” he growled.
“Mr. MacDonald?”
“Spot on. I’m on my way down to throttle him—if Arnprior doesn’t get there first. He’s the one who got Angus to stop the first time.”
“Not you?”
“No. I roared down to the courtyard, but Arnprior was already tearing a strip off Angus like you wouldn’t believe. I almost felt sorry for the old codger. But since the yelling obviously didn’t take, my sympathy has died a quick death.”
She wrinkled her nose. “They must not like me very much if they’re willing to go through all this trouble to be rid of me.”
He shook his head. “No, I think the twins like you rather a lot. They’re just afraid showing it will bring their grandfather’s wrath down on them.”
“Perhaps, but Royal most certainly doesn’t approve of me.”
“He doesn’t like anyone right now, and I have a feeling that Arnprior’s at a loss as to how to deal with him. Royal obviously can’t make his peace with his discharge from the army, and he can’t figure out what he’s going to do with his life.”
Sympathy stirred in Victoria’s chest. “Is he in pain? His limp is quite marked.”
“I’m sure he is. He was badly injured at Waterloo. Almost died, from what I understand. Arnprior told me he was lucky to keep the leg.”
“Poor man. I’m more than willing to excuse his bad behavior, if that’s the case. But the others . . . even the earl doesn’t seem all that keen on trying to convince me to stay.”
Alec frowned. “Trust me—he wants you to stay. It’s just that . . .”
She touched his arm. “It’s all right. You can tell me.”
“He senses that you’re holding something back—thatwe’reholding something back.”
Her heart jammed against her ribs. “Did he tell you that?”
“Not in so many words, but after dinner he all but interrogated me about why you left Welgate’s employ so precipitously.”
She grimaced. “Oh, that’s not good.”
“He also wished to know why Dominic took such an interest in you.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I simply explained that Dominic has known the Knight family for years and has been of assistance in helping you to secure employment.”
“Did he accept that answer?” Her mentor had worked hard to obscure the fact that she was the Prince Regent’s illegitimate daughter. Her first employer—a wealthy merchant—had known her family history and had not taken exception, but most in thetonwould hardly see it as anything but scandalous.
Alec waggled a hand. “He seemed to, but it doesn’t help that you don’t have a reference from Welgate.”
She sighed. “It would appear his lordship doesn’t like me any more than the rest of his family.” Then again, why did she care what Arnprior thought of her? After all, it wasn’t as if she wanted the job.
“I’m sure he thinks you’re just what he needs.”
“If you say so.” She cast a scowl back at the window as another blast of pipes rent the air. “If that wretched noise doesn’t stop, I swear I’m going to find a pistol and murder that man. Or beat him to death with his blasted bagpipes.”
Alec laughed. “Spoken like a true Sassenach. I’ll go down and . . . ah, finally.” The wailing had abruptly cut off.
Victoria sagged against the door frame, letting the tension drain from her body.
“Arnprior must have gone down to roust him again,” Alec said. “It should be fine now.”
“Captain Gilbride, allow me to say that you hold an excessively optimistic view of life.”
