Page 8 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
Kade perked up. “Vicky’s with child again? That’s splendid news, Nick. Congratulations to you both.”
His brother finally cracked a smile. “Thank you. But she needs calm and rest, Kade, not hair-raising tales of your adventures.”
Angus waved his pipe, spilling ash onto the carpet. “Och, Vicky is as strong as an ox. There’s nae need to fuss, lad.”
“Still,” Nick replied, “I will not have Victoria upset by this ridiculous—”
“Victoria already knows everything, including Kade’s adventures with opera singers,” said a stern voice from behind them.
Oh, hell.
Kade rose and turned around. His sister-in-law stood in the doorway, still garbed in her pelisse and bonnet, looking moments away from marching up and boxing his ears. But despite her thunderous scowl, he couldn’t help smiling.
“Hullo, you,” he said. “I hear congratulations are in order. The other bairns must be delighted to know another brother or sister is on the way.”
Her mouth twitched. “I suspect that a degree of bribery might be necessary to soothe little Kyle’s feelings. He’s grown quite used to being the baby.”
“You’ll wrap him around your finger, just like every other male in the family,” Kade joked.
She pointed at him. “Do not think you can distract me, Kade Kendrick. I ammostannoyed with you.”
Nick went to meet her. “You can give Kade a splendid scold later, sweetheart. But first get out of this drafty doorway. I don’t want you catching a chill.”
She allowed Nick to steer her to one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Nicholas, it’s the middle of July.”
“Then we don’t need you getting overheated,” replied her overprotective husband.
“Give us a hug, lass,” Kade said, holding out his arms.
She gingerly put her arms around him. “Are you sure you’re all right? From what Braden said, your wound was terribly infected.”
“My fault. It was raining that night, and I slipped on some cobblestones, landing arse down in a nice, dirty puddle.”
Flat on his back and still without his shirt on, he could have added. It had hurt like the devil, but that had been the least of his concerns at the time. Not getting shot had been top of the list.
“By the way,” he said as he and Vicky sat down, “how did you find out about the opera singer? Aden promised me he wouldn’t tell you about that part of the, er . . . situation.”
“Vivien wrote to me.”
“Of course she did,” Kade said with a sigh.
Vivien was married to Aden St. George. When it came to Kade’s family, there were no secrets, at least not for long.
Nick looked apologetic. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, sweetheart, but I didn’t wish to worry you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? Ialwaysknow when something is wrong with one of you.”
“That’s true,” Angus said. “OurSassenachlassie has a nose for trouble.”
“It comes from my years of dealing with Kendricks,” she replied. “That, however, is not my primary concern at the moment. Kade is. I cannot be happy about any of this.”
Kade took his sister-in-law’s hand and met her worried gaze. “I truly didn’t mean to worry you.” He glanced at Nick. “Any of you.”
His brother nodded. “I know, lad, but worry we do.”
Kade widened his eyes in mock surprise. “Really? I hadn’t noticed. But from now on, my focus will be entirely on my music career. My spying days are over.”
“Splendid,” Nick said. “You have a concerto to complete, and a special commission from the king is nothing to be sneezed at.”
