Page 60 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
“Don’t feel you need to wear them on my account. I’m not the least bit shocked by you going about in your stocking feet.”
She gave him a crooked smile. “Mamma would certainly scold me for acting in so vulgar a fashion.”
“Charlotte, do you wish to put your shoes back on?”
“No. My feet are killing me,” she ruefully admitted. “I’m not used to so much dancing, as you know.”
“Well, you did splendidly.”
“I noticed you watching when I was dancing that last waltz.” Then she blushed, as if she’d said something salacious.
A tick of irritation flared in him. He hoped her blushes were not on account of Mr. Balloon Pants.
“Your partner was fortunate in his choice,” he carefully replied. “Did you enjoy dancing with him?”
She rolled her eyes. “He stepped onmy feet and didn’t even notice, he was so busy talking about himself.”
Kade laughed. “Och, lass. So you’re hiding out to give your wee toes a rest?”
“It’s dreadful of me, I know, but Mamma insisted that I stand up for every setanddance the next waltz with Richard. I simply couldn’t force myself to do it.” She patted her cheeks. “My face feels frozen from all the smiling, pretending to be enjoying myself.”
“Not a fan of weddings, I take it.”
“No, and I suppose that makes me quite hopeless. According to Melissa, females are meant to enjoy these sorts of things. Not that she’s doing such a good job of it tonight,” she added, more to herself than to him.
He couldn’t resist the temptation to probe. “I noticed that. In fact, your entire family seemed a bit . . . flustered by events.”
She gave him a sideways glance, as if weighing how to respond.
“Mr. Kendrick, would you like to join me in a brandy?” she finally said. “Or a whisky.” Then she blinked. “No, you must be here to work. So I’d best be on my way.”
When she started to reach for her shoes, he took her hand and gently placed it back in her lap.
“My work is done for the evening,” he said, jettisoning his plans without a second thought. “And in fact I’d love a whisky. Can I fetch you one?”
She glanced at the small tumbler on the table beside her, which he’d failed to notice until now. “Thank you, but I already have mine.”
Kade smiled. “Settled in for the evening, are you?”
“If I’m lucky enough. I’m hoping no one will think to look for me here. Present company excepted, of course.”
He gave her a flourishing bow, which made her laugh. “I’m honored. Allow me to fetch my drink and I will join you.”
When he returned, she’d scooted over to make room for him on the sofa. He sat, making sure not to crumple her wide silk skirts. It occurred to him that their situation could be considered scandalous if they were discovered. Then again, they were more or less like family, were they not? They were simply having a friendly little chat. It wasn’t as if he were going to kiss the girl.
Sure about that?
“So, Mr. Kendrick, who are you hiding from?” Charlie asked.
“Am I that obvious?”
“I recognize a fellow combatant when I see one.”
He grinned. “If you must know, I’m avoiding some very enthusiastic young ladies, which makes me sound like a complete coxcomb.”
“It’s no wonder they’re pestering you, given your splendid recital tonight. Lady Constance Torbay especially seemed quite taken with your, er, performance.”
Obviously, Charlie had been watching him as much as he’d been watching her.
