Page 93 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
“No chance of that with you around, old boy,” Morgan said with a smirk.
Angus narrowed his gaze on him but declined to answer.
Kade pushed himself up and went to his grandfather. “Come on, Grandda, I’ll help you up. Then you and Tira can go grave hunting.”
“Thanks, lad.”
“Would you also like me to push Morgan off a cliff?” Kade murmured as he helped his grandfather rise.
Angus snorted. “Dandy prat, that one.”
“I don’t like that man,” Tira said in a whisper loud enough to be heard halfway across the clearing. “He’s a twiddlepoop.”
Since his niece was generally soft-spoken, Kade was fairly certain her comment was purposeful.
Morgan ignored the gibe and gave Charlie a flourishing bow. “Dear Miss Charlotte, allow me to help you.”
Charlie all but hopped to her feet. “That’s not necessary, but perhaps you could help my mother.”
Morgan looked momentarily irritated but then turned to Lady Kinloch. “Allow me, dear ma’am.”
“Thank you,” she coolly replied.
Obviously, Lady Kinloch didn’t think much of Morgan, either.
“If you follow me, everyone,” she said to the group. “The MacDonald section of the graveyard is this way.”
Most of the others trailed after her, although a few of the local guests went off toward the beach. Johnny started after his mother but stopped when Morgan took his arm. They held a low-voiced conversation before heading toward the opposite side of the clearing.
Charlie, who’d wandered over to Kade, muttered something under her breath.
“What’s that?” Kade asked.
She ignored him. “Where are you off to, Johnny?”
“Can’t a fellow go for a smoke with his friend?” her brother replied, clearly irritated.
“I promise to bring him back safe and sound, Miss Charlotte,” Morgan said with a wink. “Not to worry.”
“Do come along, Leslie,” Johnny snapped.
He stalked out of the clearing, while Morgan strolled behind.
“That man is truly beginning to annoy me,” Charlie said.
“He’s a dandy prat, according to my grandfather.”
“He’s worse than that.”
Kade raised an eyebrow. “Care to elucidate?”
“Perhaps later.”
She took his arm and started to propel him toward another path that led from the clearing to the center of the island.
“I do love a masterful lass,” Kade said, “but I’m quite willing to go anywhere with you, Charlie. No need to drag me.”
She grimaced and let go of his arm. “Sorry. Sometimes I forget myself.”
