Page 114 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
They returned to the nursery floor. Several maids now huddled there, with their nightcaps practically quivering with excitement.
“Did ye see anythin’, sir?” one of them asked.
“Not a thing,” he said with a smile. “It’s probably best if you all returned to bed. The excitement is over for the night.”
“I couldn’t sleep a wink now,” exclaimed one of the younger girls. “Not with the Kinloch Fiddler makin’ an appearance.”
“It’s been years since anyone heard him,” one of the other maids piped up. “And it nae bodes any good.”
Kade sighed and headed down the hall, Angus following.
“Told you,” Tira said, joining them. “It’s supposed to be a ghost.”
“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” he asked her.
“I want to see all the fun.”
Angus held out his hand. “Stick with me, lassie. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“I think we already know whothisis,” Kade tartly replied. “The only question is why?”
As they descended the central staircase to the lower floor, they heard voices, some quite loud. Kade wasn’t surprised to see a small crowd now milling about the hall, guests and family alike—including Charlie. She was standing next to Ainsley at the back of the group, holding a candle and looking demure in her flannel wrapper, her hair properly tucked under her plain white nightcap.
Kade had to give her full marks for getting there so quickly, thus giving herself an alibi.
Lord Kinloch, who’d been arguing with his wife, spun around, flipping the tassel of his nightcap out of his face.
“Well, Kendrick,” he demanded. “What did you find?”
“Not a thing. By the time I got up there, the music had stopped.”
Lady Kinloch, resplendent in a lavishly trimmed pink wrapper with matching nightcap, skewered him with a disapproving look. “You saw no one?”
“I’m sorry, my lady,” he replied. “Unfortunately, the configuration of the roof prevented me from conducting a full search.”
“That’s convenient,” Richard sarcastically piped up.
Kade didn’t respond, partly because he was awestruck by Richard’s attire. The fellow was garbed in a floor-length green paisley robe that sported enormous velvet lapels, padded shoulders, and a family crest. His feet were shod in velvet slippers also bearing the crest.
“Ho, Campbell,” Angus said. “Keep yer snotty opinions to yerself.”
Richard sneered at him. “It was obviously your grandson up on the roof, waking us with his stupid prank.”
“And why would I do that?” Kade asked.
“To cause trouble. That’s all you Kendricks do.”
Angus bristled like a hedgehog. “Why, ye scabby—”
Kade put a restraining hand on his grandfather’s shoulder. “To be clear, I was certainly not engaging in an impromptu performance on the roof. And my grandfather was with me when we searched.”
“As if he would tell the truth,” Richard contemptuously replied.
“Richard,” Lady Kinloch sternly intoned. “If Mr. Kendrick states he wasn’t playing his violin, then I’m sure he wasn’t.”
Tira piped up. “I saw Uncle Kade and Grandda go up to the roof while the music was still playing.”
Richard snorted. “And we’re supposed to believe Kendrick’s niece? I think not.”
