“Depends on the family,” he retorted.
Kade had a feeling that whatever was chafing the old fellow would surface sooner rather than later, despite their best efforts to keep him under control.
“Miss Stewart will be something of a challenge, though,” Royal said to Ainsley. “You have your work cut out for you, my love.”
“I’ll sort it out. She seems like a charming girl underneath her outrageous exterior.”
Kade lifted an eyebrow at his sister-in-law. “Sorry, what are you going to sort out?”
“Lady Kinloch asked Ainsley to help Miss Stewart. Give her some instruction, as it were,” Royal said with a vague wave of the hand.
Kade knew every intonation of his brother’s voice, and Royal’s tone of bland innocence was decidedlynotinnocent.
“Instruction in what?” he asked.
“Something along the lines of how to comport herself like a proper lady,” Royal said. “Ainsley’s going to work her feminine magic on Miss Stewart.”
“I’m simply going to give her a few pointers on things like dress and how best to behave in company,” Ainsley explained. “Apparently, Miss Stewart is quite shy.”
Kade stared at her. “She’s the opposite of shy, as our little encounter surely illustrated. And I now fully recall that she was a hooligan as a child, much to her mother’s dismay.”
Although a charming hooligan, he had to admit.
Tira twisted sideways to look at him. “She’s why we’ve come several days before the wedding, Uncle Kade. So Mamma can tutor Miss Stewart.” She beamed up at him. “I’m going to be Mamma’s assistant, which will be very fun.”
“And I’m sure you’ll make a splendid assistant, sweetheart.” Then Kade turned his gaze to Ainsley. “I thought the blasted wedding was happening in a few days and then we’d be back to Cairndow. So please tell me, just how many days are we going to be stuck up here?”
“The wedding is in six days,” Ainsley replied. “That way I’ll have plenty of time to help Miss Stewart prepare for the festivities.” She looked at her husband. “Did you not tell Kade about this, my love? I felt sure that you had.”
“I thoughtyoutold him.” Royal shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry for the mix-up, Kade. These things happen, you know.”
“All too frequently,” Kade said. “And from what we just saw of Miss Stewart’s behavior, a week hardly seems like enough time to accomplish your task.”
“Just be grateful Lady Kinloch didn’t ask us to stay for a month,” Ainsley said in a soothing tone. “We’ll only be here for ten days or so, I’m sure.”
“What fun,” he dryly replied.
“I like Miss Stewart. I think she’s quite jolly,” Tira said.
“The lass has spirit.” Angus reached around and jabbed Kade in the knee. “And she’s got a fortune that’s more than jolly. Kinloch’s daughters will have grand dowries. They’re true Highlanders, too. A fellow would count himself lucky to nab one of them. And one fellow in particular, if ye ken what I’m sayin’.”
“Not this again,” Kade said. “May I point out that I am here to work, not take part in ridiculous matchmaking schemes?”
His grandfather gave an insouciant wave. “Nothin’ ridiculous about it. Girls are always fallin’ all over ye, and I imagine Miss Charlie will be nae different. Ye’ll hardly have to do a thing.”
“While I appreciate the vote of confidence, I imagine Miss Stewart would be horrified by your assessment,” Kade replied. “In any case, I would be grateful if you kept your deranged plans to yourself.”
His grandfather jabbed a gnarly forefinger at him. “Now, see here, laddie—”
“We’re here,” Ainsley interrupted. “We can discuss Kade’s marital prospects another time.”
“I don’t have any marital prospects, nor do I wish for them.”
“Not yet ye don’t,” Angus put in.
“Enough,” Ainsley ordered. “I will not have either of you embarrassing us in front of Lord Kinloch and his family.”
Kade put up his hands. “What the hell did I do?”
