Kade brought his hand up to capture hers, then turned it over and pressed a kiss against her palm that made her shiver. His mouth was warm and enticing, and she longed to feel it against her lips.
But when she startled to snuggle closer, he put her hand back in her lap—reluctantly, it seemed—and drew away.
“What we’re going to do next is keep watch,” he said, his voice slightly husky. “Especially on Johnny. And we’re going to wait. Something will break sooner or later.”
She tapped his chest. “That’s not what I’m talking about. Aren’t you going to kiss me?”
He stood, pulling her up with him. “I would very much like to kiss you, but at the moment that’s a bad idea.”
“I think it depends on your definition ofbad.”
He chuckled. “Sweetheart, your mother could come barreling down that path any minute, along with half the household. That would be massively inconvenient, you have to admit.”
She sighed. “You’re no fun.”
“As I am well aware. For now, though, it’s best not to get distracted. We need to solve our problems first.”
When he took her hand and began to lead her out of the gazebo, she resisted.
“Not even one kiss?” she asked.
“You are a menace, Charlotte Stewart,” he said with a wry smile. “Come along before we both get in trouble.”
He towed her along the path, ignoring her grumpy protests all the way back to the house.
* * *
Kade opened his eyes. It was pitch-dark and the house was dead silent, so what—
The sound of a violin filtered in through the open window of his bedroom, a haunting lament that likely commemorated a lost battle of days gone by.
With an exasperated sigh, he threw back the coverlet and stalked over to the window. The music was coming from above, not below. He leaned out, trying to pinpoint the exact location. As far as he could tell, it was coming from the roof.
What the devil was she up to now?
He retreated back inside and threw on some clothes. When he went out to the hall, flickering candlelight wavered into view. Angus appeared, garbed in kilt and nightshirt and, bizarrely, with his old Highland bonnet crammed down on his puffy white head.
“That’s a charming outfit, Grandda.”
“Just what came to hand. What’s our lassie up to now?”
“Haven’t a clue, but I’m going to find out. You’ve been up to the nursery floor. Any idea how to get to the roof?”
Another door opened, and Royal stuck his head out. “Where’s that music coming from? Not from you, obviously.”
“I generally don’t practice in the middle of the night,” Kade replied. “Are you coming out?”
“Sorry, old fellow, but I’m in the altogether.”
“Royal, why aren’t you in bed?” called a sleepy voice from inside the room.
The plaintive notes of the violin were getting louder and more dramatic.
“How the hell did Ainsley sleep through that?” Kade asked.
“She’s a very heavy sleeper. Unless I decide to wake her up,” Royal added with a wink.
Kade rolled his eyes. “Go back to bed, you idiot. Grandda and I will find out what’s going on.”
