“That’s the last of Glencoe,” Kade said. “Just a few more miles to Ballachulish and then we’re almost there.”
Ainsley looked up from her periodical. “Thank goodness, because I’ve had quite enough of climbing up one blasted hill after another. Not to mention teetering along ridgelines or waiting for the carriage to tip over into some dreadful bog.”
“Agreed,” Kade replied with a smile. “I thought that switchback on the Black Mount was going to be the end of us.”
She shuddered. “God, don’t remind me.”
Royal, seated next to Ainsley, patted her knee. “You must admit that the views were spectacular.”
Their daughter, Tira, expelled a dramatic sigh. “Rannoch Moor looked really spooky. Too bad nobody but me wanted to stop there and look for ghosts.”
“I would have stopped,” Kade said to the twelve-year-old snuggled between him and Angus. “But your mamma put her foot down.”
“I beg your pardon for not wishing my daughter—or you, for that matter—to go falling into a possibly haunted bog, never to be seen again,” Ainsley sarcastically replied.
Tira rolled her eyes with all the drama of her youth. “Mamma, I would never be so silly as to fall into a bog. And even if I did, Papa would rescue me.”
Royal leaned across and tapped his daughter’s nose. “You may be certain of that. I’m not sure I could save Uncle Kade, though. He’s so big he’d sink straight to the bottom, never to be seen again.”
“You’d rescue me,” said Kade. “Otherwise I’d come back and haunt you.”
“Tormenting me with your renditions of gloomy sonatas by gloomy composers, no doubt.”
“Or maybe I’d take up the bagpipes and drive you completely insane.”
“We already have Grandda for that,” Royal joked.
Angus jabbed his grandson in the knee. “Don’t be daft. I play the bagpipes almost as well as Kade plays that piano of his. Have ye forgotten the recital we gave at Kinglas last Christmas?”
“I don’t think anyone has forgotten that particular performance,” Kade wryly replied.
Although Angus was possibly the worst player of the pipes in Scotland, the old fellow remained convinced he was a virtuoso.
Royal heaved a sigh. “My hearing will never be the same.”
“Philistines, the lot of ye,” Angus grumped.
“I still think it’s sad that we didn’t get to look for ghosts on the moor,” Tira said with a child’s dogged determination. “We don’t have any ghosts in Cairndow, or even at Kinglas. Which is so boring.”
“Maybe Laroch Manor has a ghost or two,” Kade said. “We can have a little hunt for ghosties and ghoulies, if you like.”
Tira twisted on the seat, regarding him with hopeful expectation in her big blue eyes. “Do you think so, Uncle Kade? That would be so much fun.”
“From what your mother tells me, the original house is ancient. Bound to be a ghoulie or two about the place.”
“If it’s ghosts ye want,” said Angus, “we should go to Glencoe and pay our respects. I’m sure the puir souls of yer murdered kin would be that comforted by a visit.”
“Grandda, this is a festive occasion we’re attending, remember?” Royal said. “Tramping about the site of a massacre would hardly put us in the proper mood for a family wedding.”
“It’s not as if Kade and I had any say about goin’ to this bloody weddin’,” Angus indignantly replied. “Ainsley wouldn’t leave us alone aboot it. And with our Kade in such a fragile state, ye ken.”
Ainsley looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, Grandda, but Lady Kinloch was very insistent that you both come. She is your cousin, after all. Besides, I think it’ll be fun.”
Kade had been as reluctant as his grandfather to attend the wedding of Melissa Stewart, daughter of Lord and Lady Kinloch. But with typical insouciance, Ainsley had simply informed Kade that Lady Kinloch and Melissa had begged for him to perform at the grand reception following the ceremony. Ainsley, unfortunately, had also promised the ladies that he would be happy to do so.
“You did what?” Kade had exclaimed, flabbergasted that she hadn’t discussed it with him first. “But Grandda and I only arrived in Cairndow a few days ago. I need to work.”
“You’ve been here for a week, and working the entire time. Besides, everyone at Laroch Manor isveryexcited at the prospect of your performance,” she’d replied. “You certainly will not wish to disappoint them.”
