For a moment, Lady Kinloch was too horrified to respond. Kade, though, was finding it a challenge not to burst into laughter. It was usually his family causing scenes, so being a bystander instead of a participant was a refreshing change.
Lady Kinloch recovered herself. “That, miss, isquiteenough out of you. Mr. Kendrick, again please accept my apologies for this unfortunate scene. I do hope you will forgive my daughter’smostunfortunate behavior.”
“My lady, I am not in the least bit offended,” he said.
“And to be fair, Mamma,” Charlie said, “I’m not actually the one causing a scene, at the moment.”
Now looking like doom itself, Lady Kinloch took her daughter by the elbow and began marching her toward the house.
As Charlie was hustled onto the terrace, she glanced over her shoulder at Kade.
Sorry, she mouthed.
Then her mother rushed her through the French doors and out of sight.
Staring after them, Kade realized, much to his surprise, that Charlotte Stewart was the most interesting girl he’d met in a very, very long time.
CHAPTER6
Royal’s head appeared around Kade’s bedroom door. “Ready to go, old man?”
Kade glanced up from his work. “Already?”
“It’s going on seven. Didn’t you notice?”
“I did not.” Thankfully, at least he was dressed for dinner.
His brother strolled over to join him at the writing desk in the window alcove. “Lad, you’ve been at it all day.”
Kade stretched his arms over his head, trying to work out the kink in his shoulder. “When the muse strikes, I must obey.”
Charlie’s perceptive comments about his troublesome variation had opened up his creative floodgates, causing Kade to accomplish more work this afternoon than he had in days. After the ridiculous cat rescue, he’d spent the rest of the afternoon working. If Ainsley hadn’t popped in to remind him to get dressed for dinner, he’d still be down in the music room.
“Splendid, but you’re done for the night,” Royal said. “We’re assembling in the drawing room to give a grand welcome to Richard Campbell, Miss Charlotte’s ostensible fiancé.”
“I’ve already met Richard Campbell.” Kade had forgotten that the blighter was here to court Charlie, which annoyed him far more than it should.
“My encounters with Richard and his brother are engraved in my memory,” he added. “I see no need to further the acquaintance any more than necessary.”
Royal poked him in the arm. “Up, laddie boy. You’re not leaving me alone with Grandda. You know he’ll shoot death glares at the man for the simple act of being a Campbell—or he’ll pick a fight with Lord Kinloch. While you’ve holed yourself up with your work, I’ve had to practically sit on Grandda to keep him from instigating a full-blown clan feud.”
Kade got up and followed his brother from the room. “I will do my best to assist you in preventing an Angus eruption, or a lamentable sequel to Glencoe.”
“An all too plausible outcome, given our grandfather.”
They headed down the wide, carpeted staircase to the front hall, where Simmons, the family butler, awaited them. He led them at a stately pace down a long corridor. When they reached one of the drawing rooms, the butler ushered them in.
“Mr. Royal Kendrick and Mr. Kade Kendrick,” Simmons announced in a solemn tone.
“How very proper we are tonight,” Kade murmured to his brother.
“Trying to impress the prospective in-law, I imagine.”
Lord Kinloch bustled over to greet them. “Good evening, gentlemen. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Please excuse us, my lord,” Kade said. “My fault entirely.”
Their host gave him a broad wink. “Working on that new music for Melissa’s wedding, eh? We’re all agog with anticipation for it. But you must also enjoy yourself, young man. All work and no play, and all that rot. Now, come along and say hallo to Richard. He tells me that you were great friends all those years ago.”
