“It sounds perfect,” he said gratefully to Royal.
Nick frowned. “But you just got here, Kade. Wouldn’t you like to spend more time with us?”
“Yes, of course, but—”
“Ainsley’s not expecting me home until the end of the week,” Royal cut in. “You can have a few days to visit with Kade, and then I’ll take him back to Cairndow for a proper rest.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” Victoria dubiously said to Kade.
“I’m absolutely sure,” he replied. “I’ve got to get working on that concerto, Vicky. Don’t want to disappoint the old man, you know.”
Theold manwas the king of England, Vicky’s natural father.
She blinked a few times. “You’re perfectly right. It would indeed be dreadful to disappoint him.”
“Appalling, really.”
“Then it’s all settled,” Royal said. “Cairndow it is.”
Nick eyed Kade for a few moments, as if trying to decide whether to argue, but then shrugged. “I suppose it’s for the best. We can throw a ball for you on your return, before you head to Glasgow. You can meet the Davenport girls then.”
Or never.
“Absolutely,” Kade said.
Angus stowed his pipe inside his vest and shoved himself to his feet. “Then I’d best be lookin’ over my medicinals and whatnot. We dinna want to be caught with our trews down in the back of beyond.”
Kade frowned. “Grandda, what are you talking about?”
“I’m going to Cairndow, too, of course. Someone has to look after ye.”
“Thank you, but I am perfectly capable of looking after myself. There’s no need for you to fuss over me.”
“And we do have doctors in Cairndow,” Royal said.
Angus scoffed. “Fah. I’ll be takin’ over our Kade’s doctorin’ from now on. I know all of ye better than I know myself, and I’ll nae have our lad goin’ off without me, as delicate as he is.”
Kade stared down at his wizened grandfather, who barely reached his shoulder. “Grandda, I did not escape Paris just to have you kill me with your disgusting concoctions.”
“None of yer fussin’, son,” Angus said in an indulgent tone. “Yer family kens what’s best, especially me.”
Vicky nodded. “That’s true. You do need your rest, Kade. I think you should let Angus look at that shoulder, and then you can have a nice little nap. Doesn’t that sound perfect?”
Angus rubbed his hands. “Aye, that’s the ticket. I’ll get my doctorin’ things and meet you and Kade upstairs in the lad’s bedroom. Our Braden did his best, nae doubt, but the old ways are still the best ways.” He patted Kade on the shoulder. “Not to worry, lad. We’ll get ye back on yer feet in no time.”
“I’malreadyon my feet,” Kade protested.
Royal grimaced. “And no one needs your medicinal concoctions, Grandda. Seriously.”
Angus jabbed a gnarled finger at Royal’s nose. “Ho, nae sass from ye, laddie boy. There’s nae point in takin’ chances, what with Kade’s delicate constitution. He’ll nae be relapsin’ on my watch.”
“Or mine,” Vicky firmly stated.
Kade mentally sighed. Suddenly, Paris didn’t look that bad anymore.
CHAPTER2
As their carriage passed by the last straggle of cottages, a spectacular vista opened before them. Loch Leven, with its bright, sparkling waters, provided a stark contrast to the craggy peaks rising up from the opposite shore.
