Page 83 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
“It’s time, laddie,” Angus said. “Ye need to get on with yer life. Besides, yer the laird, and a laird needs a lady.”
“Even if she’s a Sassenach?”
“She won’t be once she marries ye. Besides, ye must admit she’s a lady to the tips of her wee toes.”
“It would be grand to have a true lady around the house again,” Taffy said wistfully.
Nick studied the faces of the three people who were his greatest supporters, even if they sometimes drove him mad. They were clearly united in purpose, an unusual event in his household.
“I sense a conspiracy,” he said.
“One that is surely in your best interest,” Royal said. “And Miss Knight’s.”
“She might not agree with that.” Nick knew her history—at least some of it—and he had no wish to force her into an unpalatable relationship. But her reputation and her future were now at stake.
“There’s only one way to find out,” Royal said.
Nick shoved back from his desk. “Where is she?”
“In the schoolroom with Master Kade.” Taffy eyed him. “But ye’ll surely be wanting to have a change before speaking with her, sir.”
“Later,” he said as he strode to the door.
“Good luck,” Royal said.
“Ye’ll need it, lookin’ like that,” Angus yelled after him.
As Nick took the stairs two at a time, he considered taking their advice. But he couldn’t wait to make sure she was truly all right. Besides, she’d already seen him at his worst. At least he was now sober.
He reached the second floor, where the schoolroom, nursery, and bedrooms for nursemaids and tutors were. He rarely came up here, since those rooms carried too many painful memories of his little boy. But someday, perhaps, they would once again be filled with the sound of children’s laughter.
Pausing outside the schoolroom door, he ran a quick hand through his hair and straightened his waistcoat. He had no idea where his coat was but supposed it didn’t matter. As far as marriage proposals went, this one would be unconventional at best.
He eased open the door and quietly entered the spacious, low-ceilinged room with its tall windows looking east. Sunlight streamed in, burnishing the dark paneled walls and polished floorboards with warmth. All was tidy and cheerful, with books lining the sets of shelves, two large globes on stands next to a chalkboard, and a small spinet near the windows. The cushions and blankets piled neatly in front of the hearth suggested a comfortable reading retreat in front of the crackling fire. It was Victoria’s addition, he suspected.
Nick had spent hours in this room as a boy, and he’d never imagined it could be so welcoming.
The reason for all that comfort and cheer sat with Kade at a large table in the center of the room. Dressed in a green, kerseymere gown buttoned at the throat and sleeves, Victoria looked remarkably prim for a woman who’d only last night melted into his kisses. Sunlight gilded her hair and made her skin glow like pearls. Seeing her again made Nick’s head clear and his heart lift.
She and Kade had their heads bent over an atlas. As Nick strolled down the length of the room to their worktable, they glanced up to meet his gaze. Victoria’s eyes popped wide, and her cheeks flushed rosy pink.
“Oh, ah, my lord, I thought you were the maid with breakfast.” She clambered up from her straight-backed chair without her usual grace. “I . . . I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
“I’m not surprised, given my state last night,” he said with a reassuring smile.
Kade wrinkled his nose. “You’re looking rather grim this morning, Nick. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine, lad. I’m sorry I was such a bear, yesterday. I hope I didn’t frighten you.”
His brother scoffed. “No, although I was a wee bit worried you and Logan might kill each other.”
Nick tapped him gently on the shoulder. “No fear of that, but we will not discuss Logan at the moment, if you please.”
Kade nodded. “I’m sorry yesterday was so troubling for you. I hope we can talk about it at some point, though.”
“We will. Soon.”
Nick glanced at Victoria, who stood behind her chair, clasping her hands over her stomach. Her eyes were shadowed and her mouth was set in a tight, worried line. He had to repress the impulse to take her into his arms and kiss away her anxiety.
