Since both Royal and the twins had worn the family colors, Nick had decided to honor both his old regiment and his host by hauling out his dress uniform. “It seemed fitting, given that Alec was also a member of the Watch.”
“What about you, Royal? Did you meet any pretty girls?” Kade asked.
“No,” Royal said, staring down at his glass.
Braden eyed his brother. “Did you sit in the corner all night and ignore everyone, as usual?”
“Of course not,” Victoria said when Royal started to bristle. “He chatted with many people, including a guest who is visiting with the Gilbrides. That person was feeling a bit lonely, and it was very nice of Royal to spend time with her.”
“Probably an old biddy no one else wanted to talk to,” Angus said.
“Exactly,” Royal dryly replied.
“Tell us what else happened.” Kade pulled his legs up and leaned against Victoria’s shoulder. “What did they serve for dinner? Was there any entertainment?”
“It was entirely splendid, as you can imagine,” Victoria replied.
She snagged the wool lap blanket off the arm of the sofa and tucked it around Kade’s legs. For years, the boy had longed for a mother’s affection, and he’d finally found it in Victoria’s warm, sensible nature. In fact, Nick believed that her presence was quietly repairing the holes that time and tragedy had punched in the fabric of his family’s lives.
He’d reached the point where he was finding it difficult to imagine life without her.
Eventually, talk moved to plans for the next few months and the family’s impending return to Kinglas. By the time the longcase clock in the hall struck the hour, Kade was dozing on Victoria’s shoulder.
“Och, the wee lad’s asleep,” Angus said in his ridiculously loud version of a whisper.
“I’m just resting my eyes,” Kade said sleepily.
Victoria nudged the boy. “It’s late, and time we were all abed.”
“Indeed,” Nick said. When she glanced up at him, he winked.
She blushed and averted her gaze as she urged Kade to his feet. “Come along, young man.”
“Anyone up for another dram?” Angus asked hopefully.
“No,” Victoria said firmly.
Like the mother hen she was, she ushered them all out to the hall, ignoring Angus’s protest. They wandered up the stairs in ones and twos, Braden guiding a protesting but sleepy Kade to his bedroom.
“Thank you for a delightful evening, Lord Arnprior,” Victoria said as she paused outside Nick’s door on the way to her room. “And Happy New Year.”
“What, no New Year’s kiss?” he teased.
She cast a quick glance down the hall. Royal and Angus were still at the head of the stairs, talking.
“Under the circumstances, I think not,” she said, sounding regretful.
“Ah, perhaps later then,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.
She gave him a wry smile. “As I said earlier, incorrigible.”
“I do hope so.”
“Good night.” She marched off down the hall, the short train of her gown fanning out behind her in a ripple of silk. Conveniently for his plans, her room was at the back of the house and a good distance from the other bedrooms.
Nick dismissed the footman who served as his valet in town, and leisurely began to undress. He thought about putting on his dressing gown, but remembering what she’d once said about men in Highland dress, he decided to leave on his kilt.
After waiting a few minutes, he went to the door and cocked an ear. The house was silent, so he snagged a small box off the top of the tallboy dresser and tucked it into the back of his waistband, then headed down the darkened hall to the back of the house. Light flickering from under Victoria’s door signaled she was not yet in bed.
