Page 120 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
“Apparently, the Kinloch Fiddler was a bridge too far for him. Well done, you.”
She grabbed his arms and planted a brief but enthusiastic kiss on his mouth. Kade reached for her but she’d already pulled back, her eyes sparkling with laughter.
“To tell you the truth,” she said, “I questioned my sanity. It seemed like such a ridiculous scheme, even for me. Did Richard really believe there was a Kinloch Fiddler?”
“No, he knew it was you. But he says it convinced him that your entire family was deranged, and that you were little better than a hooligan.”
She held up a finger. “A Highland hooligan, if you please.”
Kade smiled. “Frankly, I didn’t expect Richard to give up so easily.”
“Nor I, because I do have a rather splendid dowry, as you know. Plus, my parents were very encouraging.”
Kade took her hand and led her to the sofa. “Sweetheart, it wasn’t just your money. Last night’s unfortunate scene in the gazebo with Richard made that very clear.”
She wrinkled her nose. “That’s when I decided I really needed to be rid of him.”
“And so the Kinloch Fiddler made her appearance. A bit of a risk, though, since there are currently two accomplished fiddlers in residence.”
“I am sorry that Richard tried to pin my ridiculous stunt on you,” she replied, looking guilty.
“No worries, lass. But how did you know it would even work?”
“I wasn’t entirely sure it would,” she confessed. “But I knew Melissa would believe it, and I suspected Mamma would, too. She’s a bit more superstitious than she likes to admit. I was simply hoping to create enough of an uproar to put Richard off. He’s very staid, and his father is also a stickler for propriety. Even my dowry wouldn’t compensate for having a hellion as a daughter-in-law.”
“I applaud both your creative thinking and your success.”
She smiled. “I owe you and your family a real debt of gratitude for supporting my absurd scheme. You were all quite splendid.”
“Kendricks excel at absurd scenes.” He gently tapped the end of her nose. “Which is why you should have told me about it. You must know by now that you have my support.”
She blushed the enchanting shade of pink he’d come to love. “Yes, I know, but I didn’t want to put you in an awkward position in case you didn’t approve of what I was doing.”
“You certainly won the approval of my family. They wholeheartedly enjoyed playing their parts, even on a moment’s notice.”
“And what about you? Were you shocked by my less-than-ladylike behavior?”
“Lass, you were so prim and proper that I could hardly keep a straight face. But from now on, please give me fair warning so I can be better prepared. And on that note, do you have any plans to surprise Johnny into admitting the truth?”
She sighed. “No. I did try to buttonhole him before breakfast, but he’s avoiding me. I really don’t know why he insisted on getting out of bed today. He’s so clearly in pain.”
“That’s a bit of a mystery, isn’t it?”
“One I’m not sure how to solve, if he won’t talk to me.”
“I’ve put Angus on him. As you can imagine, Grandda has had a great deal of experience in dealing with young men over the years. I can’t tell you how many secrets my brothers and I inadvertently divulged to him.”
“I’m not sure your grandfather will be able to separate Johnny from Sir Leslie. That dreadful man is sticking to him like fish slime.”
“An apt if disgusting analogy.”
“Perhaps I should try to draw Sir Leslie off. Since he’s entered the hunt for the brooch, he must also be interested in courting me.” Charlie snapped her fingers. “I’ll ask him to go riding with me. That would get him well away from Johnny.”
Kade wasn’t having it. “Absolutely not. You’re not to go anywhere near that bastard, much less be alone with him.”
She blinked in surprise before her lovely features rearranged themselves into a scowl. “Are you truly telling me what I can and cannot do, sir?”
“In this case, yes. Leslie Morgan is untrustworthy and potentially dangerous, and I don’t want him within ten feet of you.”
