“I’m fine right here,” he said, settling in and thrusting his long legs out in a casual stretch. His posture was disgracefully informal, but Victoria suspected it had more to do with his bad leg than any desire to be rude. Knowing him, though, the rudeness would be a bonus.
He proceeded to let his gaze momentarily drift down to Ainsley’s chest as his lips curled up in an astonishingly seductive smile. “You’re looking well, my lady, but I think you’ve gained some weight since last winter. Still, I must say, you carry it splendidly.”
Ainsley pressed her lips into a tight line as red spots of color sprung up on her cheeks.
“Royal Kendrick, behave yourself,” Victoria hissed.
He kept his green-glass eyes fastened on his target.
“There’s nothing wrong with having a little meat on one’s bones, old man,” Alec said in a warning tone. “After all, look at my dear wife. She’s as pretty and plump as a partridge, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
When every woman at the table glared at him, Alec flushed. “What?”
“You are a dimwit, Alasdair Gilbride,” Edie said in a terse voice.
“Oh, blast,” he sighed. “Sorry, love, I was just trying to make the point that—”
“I know,” his wife replied. “Trust me when I tell you the point would be better left unsaid.”
“Lady Ainsley, when do you leave for Cairndow?” Victoria asked, desperate to gain control of the conversation. Where was Arnprior, confound him? When Royal fell into one of his moods, only the earl had any ability to manage him.
Ainsley momentarily ceased shooting death glares at Royal. “Not for a few more weeks. Certainly not until after the Gilbrides’ Hogmanay Ball.”
“Why the devil are you going up to Cairndow?” Royal said abruptly. “There’s not a bloody thing up there but mountains and water.”
“My great-aunt is there,” Ainsley snapped. “I’m going to spend the winter with her.”
Royal frowned and—thank the merciful gods—fell silent.
For the next few minutes, they gamely tried to engage in normal conversation. Victoria pulled the twins and their companions into the discussion and the tension abated.
But it wasn’t long before Ainsley glanced over at Royal, who was studying her with a reflective frown. “Mr. Kendrick, has no one ever told you it’s rude to stare?” she hissed.
He shrugged. “Probably, but I suppose I forgot.”
“Well, please stop it.”
“Is my attention making you nervous, my lady?” he asked with exaggerated politeness. “Fear not. An impecunious younger son—a cripple, no less—would never be so bold as to importune you.” That seductive smile again curled up the edges of his mouth. “Unless you want me to importune you.”
Victoria, scowling madly at Royal, felt rather than saw Ainsley go stiff as a hitching post. She glanced over and saw all the color drain from the girl’s face.
“Are you all right, Lady Ainsley?” she asked.
When the girl finally looked at her, Victoria got a jolt. The expression in Ainsley’s eyes was one of desolation.
“Yes, I’m fine. If you’ll excuse me for a moment.” She rose clumsily to her feet.
“Ainsley, wait,” Royal said, starting to drag himself up.
“Leave me alone,” she snapped, then all but fled the table.
Because she’d been conversing with Alec and the twins, Edie hadn’t heard the ugly exchange. She turned as Ainsley rushed off. “Where’s she going?”
Victoria stood. “Just to the retiring room. I think I’ll join her.”
Edie gazed suspiciously at Royal, who stared after Ainsley with a perplexed expression.
“No need to worry,” Victoria said. “I’ll check on her ladyship.”
