“Nothing,” the lad muttered, turning his shoulder on the blighter.
Lady Kinloch frowned with concern. “You are looking rather peaked, my son. Perhaps it wasn’t wise for you to come downstairs just yet.”
“I can’t stand sitting in bed like a lump, Mamma. It’s bad enough I have to wear this stupid sling for the next month.”
“Not to worry, old boy,” said Morgan with jovial cheer. “I’m happy to stay and lend a helping hand at keeping you occupied. A friend in need, and all that.”
Lady Kinloch bristled, clearly offended. “Really, Sir Leslie, we’re quite capable of looking after Johnny.”
“No doubt, my lady, but I can do all sorts of little things to assist. Why, I can help him butter his toast, for one.”
Johnny sat silently while Morgan made a show of buttering the toast. Kade glanced at Charlie, who returned his questioning look with a slight grimace. Clearly, her suspicions regarding Morgan had not abated, and Kade had to agree with her.
“No need to stay on Johnny’s account, or ours,” Kinloch said, glowering at Morgan. “All the Kendricks are leaving today, so you might as well be off, too. Shame, that, but all good things must come to an end, as they say.”
“My dear, have you forgotten that Kade and Angus are staying on with us?” Lady Kinloch asked.
Her husband stared at her, thunderstruck. “What?”
“Yes, they’ve decided to stay a bit longer. I felt sure that I told you.”
“You . . . you did not,” Kinloch blustered. “And why the devil are they staying?”
“To help search for the Clan Iain brooch,” Angus said. “Yer puir daughter needs all the help she can get.” He leaned over to Ainsley and put a hand to the side of his mouth, whispering loudly. “Especially with a da like Kinloch.”
Naturally, everyone in the room heard his comment.
“Goodness, look at the time,” Ainsley said brightly. “We really must be getting along.”
Ignoring her intervention, Kinloch fixed a disapproving gaze on Kade. “And I suppose you’re also going to be dashing about after Charlie? Just like the rest of these fellows?”
Charlie stared at her father in disbelief. “Papa, you do remember that this was your idea in the first place, do you not? Angus and Mr. Kendrick are simply being kind. There’s no need to read anything else into their actions.”
Kade raised his eyebrows at her, but she refused to return his gaze.
“Just think, Grandda,” Tira exclaimed, beaming at Angus. “You might find the brooch and end up saving everyone from the Kinloch Fiddler. That’s so exciting!”
Angus winked at her. “Aye that, lassie.”
Kinloch swelled up like a rooster about to crow and threw his napkin down. Without another word, he rose and stalked from the room.
“Oh, dear,” Lady Kinloch said with a sigh. “I’d best go after him.”
“Well, this has been quite the entertaining morning, eh?” Morgan said as their hostess hurried out. “What say you, Johnny? Up for another round of the treasure hunt?”
“Do shut up, Leslie,” Johnny groused.
Richard pushed back his chair, almost knocking it over. “You all belong in a madhouse.”
“Goodness, that’s not very polite,” said Ainsley.
Angus shrugged. “What else can ye expect of a Campbell?”
“Insane,” Richard snapped before stomping out of the room.
“More coffee, anyone?” Charlie asked in a cheerful voice. “I can ring for a footman.”
Kade rose. “Angus, I’d like a word.”
