Page 27 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
“The last time I looked,CaptainGilbride, this was my castle, not yours, so please refrain from issuing orders. Just sit the hell down and have a cup of coffee.” His emphasis of Alec’s rank was a reminder that he’d once been a junior officer under Nick’s command.
His friend fumed for a few more seconds before a reluctant smile cracked the edges of his mouth, then he sank into a chair with a half-hearted grumble. “You always were more imperious than a royal duke, Arnprior.”
“You would know, I suppose.”
Alec eyed the large coffee service on the desk. “Expecting a crowd, are we?”
“I expect at least three more to join me before breakfast, each anxious to give me a piece of his—or her—mind.”
“I’ll wager Miss Knight will be down next,” Alec said as he poured himself a cup. “If I were you, I’d find some cotton batting to stuff in your ears.”
“That bad, eh?” Nick said.
Of course it was that bad. Only the dead could have slept through last night’s mayhem.
“She’s not happy,” Alec said.
Nick rubbed his temples where a headache was forming. “I’ll apologize to her, naturally. And make what amends I can in the hopes of convincing her to stay.”
“Good luck with that, old son,” Alec said with a bland smile.
Nick stared at him from between his hands. “As much as I hate to admit it,old son, I need the girl’s help. And I’d be much obliged if you would do what you can to assist me.”
Alec shook his head. “My only concern at this point is what’s best for Victoria.”
“I didn’t realize you and Miss Knight were on a first-name basis,” Nick said. “How . . . unusual.”
Alec’s genial gaze faded. “What the hell are you suggesting, Arnprior?”
“I’m just curious as to why you’re so protective of her.”
After a moment of staring at him, Alec let out a guffaw. “You are utterly daft. You do remember meeting my wife, don’t you? Would you cheat on Edie?”
“Mrs. Gilbride is, of course, entirely charming.” Nick’s taste, however, did not run to buxom, vivacious blondes. Skinny, tart-tongued blondes were apparently more to his liking, which was a rather unwelcome revelation, under the circumstances.
“You know I would never betray my wife,” Alec said, “and Victoria Knight would never engage in scandalous behavior, in any case. If you think she might, then rest assured she will be returning to Glasgow with me.”
“I’m happy to hear I was wrong,” Nick said. “Nor was it Miss Knight’s behavior that led me to make what was clearly an unfortunate assumption.”
“Was that an apology?” Alec asked suspiciously.
“Feel free to take it that way, if you wish.”
Alec shook his head. “You can be a right bastard sometimes, Arnprior.”
“I’m sure my family would agree with your assessment. But surely you don’t believe Miss Knight could come to any harm under my roof. My grandfather and brothers may be idiots, but they would never lay a finger on the girl.”
“I know,” Alec replied.
“Then what’s the problem? Sir Dominic assured me that Miss Knight was both qualified and eager for a good position.”
Alec seemed to wrestle with himself. “She certainlyneedsthe damn job, I can tell you that.”
Again, Nick felt a stirring of unease. A qualified governess with good recommendations was invariably in high demand. Miss Knight, however, seemed to be having some difficulties in that respect, despite her sterling qualifications. But since he needed the confounded girl, he simply had to trust that Dominic and Alec wouldn’t steer him wrong.
After putting his coffee cup on the desk, Alec pinned him with a warning gaze. “All right, I’ll do what I can to persuade her to take the position. But know that Miss Knight is under Dominic’s protection, and mine as well. I trust you understand what that means.”
Before he could reply to the thinly veiled threat, Royal limped into the room.
