Page 58 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
Royal’s eyebrows went up. “‘Charlie,’ is it? On quite good terms with her, are you?”
Kade looked at his brother and grandfather, who both regarded him with the same knowing expression. “There’s nothing between us but a mild friendship, I assure you.”
“There could be more if ye paid the lass a little attention,” Angus retorted. “Ye spend all day locked up in that stupid music room when the fairest maid in the Highlands is ready to tumble into yer arms.”
“Unbelievable,” Kade said. “Aren’t you the one who just told me that I needed more practice?”
His grandfather poked him in the chest. Yer nae gettin’ any younger, laddie boy. It’s time ye found a wife and settled down.”
“I have no intention of settling down, nor does my career lend itself to that sort of life.”
Angus suddenly switched tactics by lifting a trembling hand to his brow. “Och, I’m not long for this world, Kade. Can ye blame me for wantin’ to see my favorite grandson married before I shuffle off this immortal coil?”
“It’smortalcoil, Grandda,” Royal said. “And I thought I was your favorite grandson.”
Kade snorted. “Each of us is his favorite grandson when he’s trying to wheedle us around to something.”
His grandfather scowled. “Ye can both quit yer sassin’. Ye ken exactly what I’m sayin’, Kade. Yer lettin’ someone like booby Campbell or an idiot in balloon pants steal a march on ye with Miss Charlie.”
“I see no evidence that Miss Charlie has taken an interest in Mr. Balloon Pants or anyone else, including Richard.”
Royal waggled a hand. “She has gotten quite a bit of attention from other gentlemen guests these last two days, though.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
Except he had, and he was more than a wee bit irritated by the fact.
Angus eyed him. “It’s a good thing ye gave up the spy work, because yer a terrible liar.”
“Look, here’s Ainsley,” Kade said. “Perhaps she can bring an end to this ridiculous conversation.”
Royal pulled his wife in for a hug. “Hullo, sweetheart. I’d love to give you a kiss, but I’m afraid one of those things sprouting out of your head will poke me in the eye.”
She gave him a little swat on the chest. “Philistine. I’ll have you know that it took my maid almost an hour to construct this masterpiece.”
Kade eyed his sister-in-law’s mad coiffure, a gravity-defying affair that featured a number of large combs that could easily double as weapons.
“Your head does look rather lethal,” he said.
“In this family, no one can predict when the next varlet will be lurking about, ready to do something nefarious—like that nonsensical man dancing with Charlotte, for instance. Really, Kade, someone will cut you out if you’re not careful.”
Kade sighed. “Not you, too.”
“I only speak the truth, dear boy. Now, what are you three whispering about? You look very suspicious.”
“We’re trying to figure out what’s wrong with the Kin-lochs,” Royal said. “Especially Miss Charlotte.”
Ainsley immediately turned serious. “Don’t think I haven’t tried to find out. According to my maid, Melissa had a bout of hysterics shortly before the ceremony. There was some concern as to whether she would even calm down enough to get married.”
Royal elbowed Kade. “She’s already regretting it, probably because she fancies our lad.”
Ainsley rolled her eyes. “It’s nothing like that. I asked Lady Kinloch, who was very tight-lipped about the whole thing. However, I got the distinct impression it had something to do with Charlotte.”
Kade frowned. “Is she all right?”
Ainsley batted her eyelashes at him. “I don’t know. Perhaps you should ask her.”
“I have no intention of interrogating the poor girl in the middle of her sister’s wedding,” he replied. “Besides, it’s none of our business. If Lady Kinloch had wished to tell you, she would have.”
