Page 65 of The Highlander's Kilted Bride
He couldn’t, unfortunately. Angus had an unfailing knack for reading his grandsons.
“I’m a bit concerned about Charlie,” he quietly responded. “She’s under a fair bit of pressure, and I wish I could help her.”
“Did ye actually offer to help her?”
When Kade shot him a disbelieving look, Angus smiled.
“Of course ye did. It’s a kind heart ye have, and I’m sure the lassie was grateful.”
“I thought so, but now she’s dodging me.”
Angus glanced over at the small group on the divans by the fireplace. Ainsley was talking to Melissa—or, rather, Melissa was talkingatAinsley. Charlie sat quietly, doing her best to ignore Richard, who was hovering close by, much like an annoying gnat.
“Mayhap her ma is puttin’ pressure on the lass to avoid ye,” Angus said.
Kade shot him a startled glance. “Why would she do that?”
“Because yer competition for yon booby Campbell, who looks like a complete ninny next to ye. Why my cousin is trying to match poor Charlie up with that jackanapes instead of ye is a mystery.”
“Possibly because I’m not actually courting her daughter?” Kade sarcastically replied.
Angus ignored that comment. “And there’s that bloody brooch. Kinloch’s cross as crabs, and he’s pesterin’ the poor lassie, too. What with all her problems, I reckon our Charlie’s not in the mood to talk to anyone. Not even ye.”
“She has no trouble talking to Ainsley.”
In fact, Ainsley seemed to be the only Kendrick Charlie spent any time with.
“She’s not talkin’ so much as hidin’ behind her, from her parents as well as ye.” Angus shook his head. “And that sister. She’s a piece of work.”
“Yes, Melissa has been something of a trial.”
The bride had spent the last two days crying one minute and then dramatically swearing the next that her family had been cursed forever. Her poor husband seemed entirely flummoxed.
“How is Colin holding up?” Kade asked. “You and Royal were chatting with him. Giving comfort and advice, I presume?”
“He’s a bit of a dull fellow, but a good lad. I feel right sorry for him. I’m told Melissa was so upset on their wedding night that Colin had to fetch Elspeth to give her sleeping powders.” He snorted. “Just the person ye wish to see in the bridal bower—yer mother-in-law.”
Kade was forced to smother a laugh. “Did he actually tell you that?”
“Nay, Elspeth did. I told her that Melissa was actin’ like a ninny and that next time she should toss a glass of water in her face. That’s what I do when the terriers fall to scrapin’. Dump a pot of cold water on them. Works every time.”
“I’m sure Lady Kinloch was thrilled to hear you compare her daughter to one of your terriers.”
“Laddie, I only speak the truth.”
“In this case, I would agree with you. Speaking of foolishness, what do you think about this legend of the brooch? I cannot believe anyone in the family would take it seriously.”
Angus tapped his nose, looking wise. “As Robert the Bruce once said, ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, ye ken, than can be dreamt of in all yer philosophical thinkin’.’”
“That is not how the saying goes, Grandda. And it’s a quotation fromHamlet, not the Bruce.”
“Who do ye think thatSassenachnincompoop stole it from?”
“Not a term one generally applies to the Bard,” Kade dryly replied.
“Lad, have ye actually readMacbeth? Those bloody witches capering about like half-wits, spouting their hubble-bubble bad poetry. It’s nae Robbie Burns, I tell ye.”
Kade tried to pull the conversation back on course. “While your literary analysis is fascinating, I’m more interested in the brooch. You don’t believe that curse nonsense, do you?”
