Page 89 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
He smiled. “Yes.”
“Ho, laddie,” called Angus from farther up the beach. “Why are ye keepin’ Miss Charlie standin’ about in the muck? The others are waitin’ on us.”
“Coming, Grandda.” Kade took her elbow and guided her along the narrow beach.
“I do need to talk to you soon,” she said in a low voice. “I need your help today.”
“I’m at your disposal. But what sort of help do you need on a picnic?”
“I’ll explain later. After we eat.”
“Another mystery?”
“No, it’s still my blasted brooch. I just have a few ideas about where we might find it.”
He shot her a surprised glance. “You mean on the island? Why the devil would it be over here?”
She shushed him, seeing her mother and Angus waiting just ahead on the path to the top of the embankment that overlooked the landing site.
“Charlotte, why are you dawdling with Mr. Kendrick?” Mamma asked, obviously suspicious. “Everyone is waiting.”
Angus patted her arm. “Och, there’s nae need to fret, Elspeth. They’re just chattin’, as young people are wont to do.”
“They should not be wandering off alone, Angus. People will talk.”
Charlie sighed. Clearly, her mother still had her sights set on Richard as her daughter’s prospective husband, and no other candidate would do.
“Mamma, even if I wanted to be private with Mr. Kendrick—and I’m not saying I do,” she hastily added when her mother looked offended, “you know it would be all but impossible on Eilean Munde, where you can walk from one end to the other in twenty minutes.”
“I should certainly hope you do not wish to be private with Mr. Kendrick,” her mother huffily replied.
“You’re the one suggesting it, Mamma, not me.”
“Liar,” Kade murmured under his breath.
She resisted the impulse to elbow him. “Mr. Kendrick was simply helping me get out of the boat, not taking liberties.”
“Yer daughter could sneak off with Kade as much as she liked, and he’d nae be takin’ any liberties.” Angus wagged a finger at Charlie’s mother. “That booby Campbell’s the one ye have to watch out for. Ye canna trust a Campbell as far as ye can throw him.”
“This is a ridiculous conversation,” Mamma declared. “Now, come along. The footmen went ahead and have already set up the picnic. So tell your brother and Sir Leslie to stop dawdling as well.”
Charlie mentally rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mamma.”
As her mother and Angus proceeded up the trail, Kade leaned down, close to her ear.
“I promise I won’t take any liberties,” he murmured. “Unless of course you want me to.”
She ignored the little thrill that shivered up her spine and gave him a little shove. “Do stop being an idiot. You’re as bad as booby Campbell.”
“No one’s as bad as booby Campbell.” He offered his arm. “Shall we?”
She glanced over her shoulder. Johnny and Sir Leslie were still on the beach, although they’d moved away from the boats. They appeared deep in discussion, and not a happy one.
“Huh,” she said.
“Problem?” Kade asked.
“I don’t know.”
