Page 150 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
“But dinna forget ye got stabbed in Paris, laddie boy.”
Kade held up his hands. “You’rethe one who keeps telling everyone I’m a master spy.”
“Only because I dinna want ye to feel bad.”
“How very kind. Now, if you would also be so kind as to go up to Charlie. She’ll be stewing and could use the distraction of your visit,” Kade said as he steered Angus to the door.
“All right, I’m goin’. I’ll be back down in an hour to see how ye got on.”
“I’ll see you then.”
With any luck, by that time Morgan would be rolled up and the mystery of the Clan Iain brooch safely resolved.
Lady Kinloch glanced up from her cards as Angus left the room. “Is your grandfather going to bed already? Dear me, everyone is abandoning us this evening.”
Kade smiled. “He’s just going to sit with Miss Charlotte and Johnny for a spell.”
“No doubt to entertain them with his amusing stories,” Morgan said with a smirk. “Quite the colorful character, your dear grandfather.”
Blackmailer, bully, and complete prat.Kade couldn’t wait to see the idiot behind bars.
“That he is,” he replied with a polite smile. “My lady, has Lord Kinloch retired for the evening?”
“He went to his study to write a letter,” she said in an abstracted tone, her attention once more on her cards. “He’ll return for tea.”
“Then I beg you to excuse me as well,” Kade said. “I’ll also return for the tea table.”
Morgan glanced up, his gaze suddenly wary.
“Going to the music room to work, old boy?” he asked in a deceptively casual voice. “You’re quite the slave to your art.”
“Yes, I might squeeze in a bit of work, but first I would like some fresh air. I thought to stroll about the gardens—down to the pond, perhaps.”
Morgan’s lips pressed flat before he mustered a smile. “And perhaps have a bit of a look for the brooch while you’re at it, I’ll wager. You’re a sly one, Kendrick.”
Lady Kinloch exhaled an exasperated sigh. “Please do not mention that infernal brooch. I am entirely sick of it.”
“That’s understandable, my lady,” Kade said in a sympathetic tone. “But I’m sure the brooch will be found soon enough.”
“Not much for nature walks myself, but have at it,” Morgan said. “Be careful down by the pond, though. Some of the rocks are quite slippery.”
Kade raised his eyebrows. “I’m surprised you noticed, given your aversion to nature walks.”
Something ugly flashed in Morgan’s eyes. “I noticed it the other day when I was coming back from the stables.”
“That’s odd,” replied Kade. “The path from the stables goes nowhere near the pond.”
Now Morgan scowled at him. “You can’t expect a fellow to remember every walk he takes. I did notice the rocks at some point.”
Lady Kinloch eyed the man with disapproval before smiling graciously at Kade. “Enjoy your stroll, Mr. Kendrick, but be careful, because Sir Leslie is correct. The rocks around the pond can be slippery with lichen at this time of year, so it’s best to avoid them. I would hate for you to have a fall.”
“Yes, we don’t need any more accidents,” Morgan said with a sneer. “What with the Kinloch Fiddler still lurking about. Who knows what could happen?”
Melissa gave a startled squeak. “Don’t even suggest such a thing! Perhaps you shouldn’t go outside after all, Mr. Kendrick. If you were to have an accident, there would be no one to hear you cry for help.”
He smiled at her. “Thank you, but I shall be perfectly fine.”
“But—”
