Charlie’s father leveled a scowl at her. “I certainly hope you’re not twitting me, my girl. You’ve caused enough trouble these last few days, what with your blasted Kinloch Fiddler driving off poor Richard. Your mamma is very disappointed about that, you know. As am I.”
“I’m sorry, Papa. But you could plainly see that Richard and I didn’t suit. We probably would have killed each other within weeks of the wedding.”
“You mean you would have killed him,” Papa said with a snort.
Charlie flashed him a sheepish smile. “Probably.”
“Well, I suppose you’re right,” he said. “Richard was a disappointment with those ridiculous outfits and that ghastly curled hair. No decent fellow ever thought to curl his hair back in my day, or wear a corset, for God’s sake.” He looked at Kade. “You don’t wear a corset, do you?”
“Really, Papa,” Charlie protested. “That’s a bit much.”
Kade, however, was unflappable. “I do not, sir. My brother, Lord Arnprior, would throw me off the battlements of Castle Kinglas if I resorted to such affectations.”
“Quite right, too,” Papa said. “Good head on his shoulders, that brother of yours. And I’ll admit that you’re a very sensible fellow as well, even though the young ladies are always flocking around you like magpies. Even Melissa, which seems a bit odd since she just got riveted to poor Colin.”
That, rather comically, was true.
“Let’s hope he doesn’t challenge Mr. Kendrick to a duel,” Charlie joked.
Her father looked rather aghast. “Good God, Charlotte. Don’t even jest about such a thing. You’ll give Melissa the vapors, and your poor mother already has enough to deal with, what with Johnny being laid up.”
She patted his arm. “Sorry, Papa.”
He scoffed. “You’re not the least bit sorry. Now, I’m going to change and then see how Johnny is doing. Try to stay out of trouble, all right? And stop pestering Mr. Kendrick. I’m sure he has better things to do than lark about with your nonsense.”
“Yes, Papa.”
After a nod to Kade, her father stomped into the house.
Charlie stared after him. “I wonder what’s got him so lathered up. Did you see him when you were out riding? Did he say anything to you?”
“No, I just ran into him back at the stables,” he replied.
She sensed that Kade was not being entirely forthcoming. “And he didn’t seemed fashed, or worried about anything in particular? Besides booby Richard, I mean.”
“Not at all, though now it seems he’s worried that we might be engaging in a mad flirtation,” he replied with a wry smile.
She sighed. “Yes, that was a rather awkward discussion—imagine asking if you wore a corset! Even for Papa, that was too much.”
Kade took her hand and twinned their fingers together. “Since, as I previously noted, my family excels at awkward discussions, I’d say we’re perfectly well matched.”
“I’m afraid my father might not agree.”
“I’ll bring him around, love. Try not to worry.”
“I’ll try,” she said. “It’s still so unreal to me, as if we couldn’t possibly work out there in the wider world. And if Papa doesn’t approve . . .”
It would be yet another obstacle in their path.
Kade brushed a soft kiss across her lips. “It is entirely real, and it will absolutely work. Although your parents might be a bit surprised, I’m sure they’ll approve once they realize how much I love their daughter and wish to take care of her.”
Charlie mustered a smile. “That’s so lovely, Kade. Still, I don’t want you thinking that you need to take care of me. I’m not to be a burden to you.” She held up a hand, as if making a vow. “And I solemnly promise never to fall into hysterics, no matter what happens.”
Her secret fear, she supposed, was that she wouldn’t fit into his world and would therefore be a hindrance to him. The very idea that she might be a burden to him made her queasy.
“You could never be a burden, love, and everyone needs taking care of now and again,” he gently replied. “I certainly do. Besides, I’m hoping we’ll take care of each other.”
She patted his chest. “That sounds nice.”
