Charlie had been doing her bestnotto think about the future, with or without Kade. On top of all the other problems in her life at the moment, it was simply too big to contemplate and too hard to imagine what a life with Kade might look like. But Johnny’s casual comment brought it all home with a force that stole her breath.
“I . . . I . . . well, we’re just friends, Johnny. Nothing more.”
Liar.
She was madly in love with Kade Kendrick and hadn’t a clue what to do about it—or if she even should do anything about it. Part of her couldn’t help thinking that being with her was nothing more than a pleasant interlude for him, a way to pass the time at an otherwise boring social occasion. Except that didn’t feel right or true. Kade would never carelessly dally with a woman, of that she felt absolutely certain.
So what, exactly, did he want from her? It was a mystery, because they werehopelesslymismatched.
Johnny shook his head. “I think he likes you, Charlie. Quite a lot, from what I can tell.”
She mustered a smile. “That’s very flattering, dear. But it’s silly to think a man like Kade would wish to marry a Highland bumpkin like me.”
“Of course he would. You’re the best of us, Charlie. God knows you’re the only person in this family who’s ever cared about what I think or didn’t bang on about what a failure I was.”
Then he stared down at his lap, as if embarrassed that he’d said too much.
Charlie rested a hand on his knee. “Johnny, you’re not a failure, and everyone in this family loves you very much.”
“Our father sure as hell doesn’t,” he bitterly replied.
“Papa is just worried about you. As am I.”
He just pressed his lips into a flat line.
Charlie gently jiggled his knee. “Johnny, I know something’s wrong. I’ve always been able to tell, ever since you were a little boy.”
He glanced up, looking both defensive and anxious. “I’m not a little boy anymore, Sis. You needn’t treat me like one.”
“I know, but it’s not just children who get into trouble.” She comically crossed her eyes. “Just look at me. I’m up to my elbows in the muck.”
His face crumpled a bit and Charlie’s heart ached for him. He looked so lost.
“Dearest, please tell me what’s wrong,” she quietly said. “I want to help you.”
He hesitated. “And you won’t tell our parents?”
“Do you really need to ask?”
He smoothed a hand over the coverlet, refusing to meet her gaze. “All right, but it’s nothing, really. Nothing that other fellows don’t do all the time. It’s . . . it’s just more than it usually is, that’s all.”
It was easy to guess what he was talking about. “Are your pockets to let, Johnny?”
He gave a morose little nod.
“How much do you owe?”
“Three hundred quid, thereabouts.”
Charlie sucked in a startled breath, stunned by the amount. “Good God.”
He scowled. “You needn’t be so missish. I’ve seen fellows drop even bigger sums in one game without even blinking an eye. Everyone does, you know.”
She forced down her dismayed reaction. “I have no doubt. It’s just that I’m not used to town ways. I’m a bumpkin, remember?”
He gave her a tentative smile. “I think you’re the sharpest one of us all.”
She doffed an imaginary cap. “Very kind, sir. Now, I’m assuming this awkward situation was caused by spending a wee bit too much time at the card tables?”
