Page 154 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
“For God’s sake,” snapped a feminine voice.
Charlie suddenly materialized out of the night. Like her father, she was armed with a shotgun.
Dammit to hell.
Kade held up his hand. “Sweetheart, we certainly don’t need more guns at the moment.”
She ignored him and brushed between her father and Angus. Stalking into the gazebo before Kade could stop her, she flipped up the butt end of her shotgun and clocked Morgan in the face. The man crumpled onto the bench without a sound. He would likely be out cold for some time.
“Well, that brings this discussion to an abrupt conclusion,” Kade wryly said.
“As it should,” Charlie retorted, “since it was both long-winded and absurd. As for you, Kade Kendrick, you owe me an explanation. So does my father. And I will not take no for an answer.”
CHAPTER23
When Angus had burst into Johnny’s bedroom with the news that both Kade and Sir Leslie had disappeared into the night, Charlie’s heart had leapt into her throat. By the time she secured her shotgun from the gunroom and pelted down to the gardens, her growing dread had conjured up images of mayhem and even bloodshed.
But what she actually found was yet another ridiculous scene. Kade was in complete control of the situation and seemed to be observing the lunatic discussion with nothing more than an attitude of polite disbelief. Charlie had felt so wobbly with relief that she’d stayed in the shadows for a few minutes to regain her equilibrium. Then as the fear dissipated, a massive surge of frustration had welled up in its place, along with an uncontrollable urge to silence Sir Leslie’s obnoxious flow of words.
To the surprise of everyone, she’d done just that.
Now her dratted betrothed stood before her, a gently rueful smile on his face.
“I am happy to provide whatever explanations you wish,” Kade said, “but it would be best if we get Morgan up to the house and under lock and key. Then we can sit and have a proper discussion.”
“That’s if yon lassie didn’t knock the blighter’s brains out,” Angus put in. “What a nice, flush hit, Miss Charlie. Well done.”
Kade bent over and checked on the man. “He’s alive, although I suspect we’ll have to carry him back to the house.” He flashed her a quick grin. “I doubt Morgan even saw you coming, sweetheart.”
“He can rot here for all I care,” she retorted. “And don’t you daresweetheartme. You lied to me, and I’m most unhappy about that.”
Kade winced. “I know, Charlie, and I am sorry about that. But if you give me a chance to explain—”
He broke off as Papa stomped into the gazebo. “I say, Kendrick, I don’t like your manner with my daughter. I already have one scandal on my hands, so I don’t need you playing fast and loose with the girl.”
Angus barged up to Charlie’s father. “Ho, Kinloch, I’ll nae have ye besmirchin’ my grandson’s name. Yer actin’ like a jinglebrains, ye ken.”
“Grandda, that isnothelpful,” Kade said.
“Laddie, I’ll nae have him besmirchin’ yer honor.”
“And I’ll not have Kendrick besmirching my daughter’s honor,” barked Papa.
Angus jabbed one of his old—and presumably loaded—pistols at him. “Now, see here, ye stuck-up old—”
“Stop,” Charlie yelled. “This is getting ridiculous—again.”
Kade grimaced and tugged on an ear.
Angus, however, gave her an admiring glance. “We might make a bagpipe player out of ye after all, lassie. That’s a fine set of lungs ye have.”
“Indeed,” Kade dryly said.
Papa snorted. “She always did, even as a child. Charlie used to sing so loudly in church that the vicar complained. Of course, the poor girl also used to sing off-key, so that was part of it.”
For a moment, Charlie contemplated shoving the whole lot of them into the pond.
When Kade covered his mouth, she glared at him. “If you laugh, Kade Kendrick, Iwillshoot you.”
