Page 56 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
Charlie started to back away. “You’re too kind, but I think I have the hang of it now. I know Mamma will be very pleased.”
“We really should try a few variations, dear,” Ainsley put in. “Just to be sure.”
“Absolutely,” Kade said, giving Charlie an encouraging smile.
Charlie’s eyes grew wider as she continued to back toward the door. “Perhaps later. I’ve just thought of something I have to tell my father. Thank you all for your help.”
She turned and bolted from the room, her kilt swirling around her legs.
Angus took his pipe out of his mouth. “Ye buggered that one up, son. So much for all yer fancy manners.”
“I didn’t do anything but dance with the girl,” Kade protested. “Which is exactly what you both wanted me to do.”
“Grandda’s right,” said Ainsley. “You buggered it up.”
Kade studied their disapproving faces. He had indeed buggered it up, it seemed. Too bad he hadn’t a clue how to set things right.
Or if he should even try.
CHAPTER9
His shoulder propped against a stone column, Kade watched Charlie take to the ballroom floor for the first waltz of the evening. Her partner was a dandified fellow dressed in wide, pleated pants and sporting pomaded hair. He gave her a flourishing bow, and Charlie eyed him with a startled expression before dipping a shallow curtsy.
Kade had debated asking her for the first waltz. He was more attracted to Charlie than he cared to admit, and spending time with her would only strengthen that attraction. Since the Kendricks would be leaving Laroch Manor in a few days, it was wise to limit their time together as best he could without giving offense.
Of course, Charlie was doing her best to avoidhim. Yes, there had been the last-minute flurry of wedding preparations, along with the arrival of numerous guests, to distract her. Still, it was clear she was dodging his company and not making the least effort to hide it.
That was beginning to annoy him more than it should.
When someone bumped into him, Kade straightened up. A petite young lady with an elaborately coiled and feathered coiffure that added almost a foot to her height gave him a blushing smile.
“I beg your pardon, miss,” he said. “It’s rather a crush, isn’t it?”
“It’s my fault entirely, Mr. Kendrick,” she replied, madly fluttering her fan. “I didn’t see you there, although Ihavebeen wanting to speak with you this last half hour. Your performance tonight was simplywonderful. I’ve never heard anything like it. Mamma—Lady Torbay, you know—said it wasutterlytransporting.”
Ah, now he remembered her.
Kade had been introduced to Lady Torbay and her two daughters, as well as several dozen other guests whose names were now but a dim memory.
“You’re very kind, Lady Constance. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
She gazed soulfully up at him. “I don’t think I’ve heard anything more elevating in my life. Your playing seemed to take me right out of myself, as if I were . . .”
“Transported?” Kade said after a few moments of rather fraught silence.
She pressed a hand to his arm. “Exactly! My dear sir, Mamma was wondering if you would be so kind as to join us for tea.” She shot him a coy look from under her eyelashes. “We’ve already secured a table in the supper room. It’s quite cozy and away from all this dreadful noise and heat. I’m sure you must bedreadfullyparched after your performance. After all, you play with such drama andpassion.”
She took a step closer, virtually backing him up against the column. From the blush in her cheeks and the determined glint in her gaze, Kade feared that Lady Constance might be overcome with passion right in the middle of the ballroom.
Angus suddenly appeared, having slipped deftly between two portly gentlemen. “Och, laddie, there ye are. I’ve been lookin’ all over for ye.”
“Grandda, do you remember Lady Constance? I believe you met her last night.”
His grandfather eyed the young woman. “Aye, Torbay’s daughter. Just saw yer da up in the cardroom, lass.” He tapped the side of his nose. “Lookin’ a wee bit worse for wear, I’m sorry to say. Probably best if he sits the next hand out, if ye catch my drift.”
Lady Constance jerked her hand from Kade’s arm as if stung by a wasp.
“I have no idea what you mean, Mr. MacDonald. If you’ll forgive me, sir,” she said to Kade, “I must return to my mother.”
