“Please give her my regards, and thank you for—”
Lady Constance turned on her heel and shoved her way between the portly—and now protesting—gentlemen.
Kade shook his head. “Grandda, you are utterly ruthless.”
“Saved ye, didn’t I? Torbay’s a gambler, pockets to let all the time. And his lady will scold yer ears off. Best steer clear of that lot.”
“Perhaps Lady Torbay is a scold because her husband keeps losing their money? Nor is that his daughter’s fault.”
Angus waved a hand. “I hate to break it to ye, but that lassie wasn’t making sheep’s eyes at ye because of yer good looks or yer piano noodlin’. It’s Kendrick money she’s after.”
Kade laughed. “Now, there’s a blow to my ego, but I thank you for the rescue all the same. She was trying to drag me off to tea with her mother.”
“Never fear, lad. I willna let the dragons get their claws in ye.” Angus glanced over at the dance floor. “There’s another lassie ye should be dancin’ with, though.”
“And who is that, Grandda?”
“Jinglebrains. Ye ken exactly who it is. And why yer lettin’ some idiot in balloon pants take yer place is beyond me. Ye should be protectin’ Charlie now, not flirtin’ with ninnies like that Torbay girl.”
“I wasn’t flirting with her or anyone,” Kade protested.
“And that’s yer problem.”
Thankfully, before the conversation could become more ridiculous, Royal joined them.
“I see Angus has rescued you from another ardent fan,” his brother said. “I hope you’re properly grateful.”
“I am in awe of his ruthless methods.”
“Fah,” Angus said. “Maybe if ye’d been more ruthless, ye wouldna have gotten yerself stabbed by that dancer.”
“She was an opera singer, Grandda, not a dancer. And perhaps this is not the best place to be discussing such matters.”
“That bloody orchestra is making so much noise that we could discuss the king’s entire spy network and no one would hear a thing.” Angus scowled in the direction of the elegant twelve-piece orchestra at the end of the ballroom. “Sounds like a barnyard full of brayin’ donkeys in here. Nothin’ like yer fine playin’, although I did think ye could stand a bit more practice on that Holyrood strathspey. I fancy ye missed a few notes.”
“At least I didn’t sound like a donkey,” Kade dryly replied.
Royal laughed. “Your performance was excellent. I’m sure Melissa and Lady Kinloch were over the moon.”
“And thank the guid Lord this blasted waltz is comin’ to an end,” Angus said.
Kade glanced at the dance floor. Charlie had moved off to the opposite side of the room and was now chatting with her dance partner. Or, rather, he was chatting with her. She simply stood with her arms crossed over her chest, occasionally nodding. She seemed distracted and certainly not her usual bright self.
“I hope Melissa was pleased,” he said. “Yet Lady Kinloch barely said a word to me afterwards. Something seems off with the entire family, especially Miss Charlotte.”
Royal gave a slow nod. “I agree. Lord Kinloch has been looking positively grim all night. It makes no sense, since the festivities seem to be going well.”
“Aye, somethin’s amiss,” Angus said. “They’re all lookin’ as queer as Dick’s hatband.”
“I thought Melissa was going to burst into tears at the altar,” Kade replied. “And not from joy.”
Angus nodded. “I felt fair sorry for young Colin, even if he is a bit of a dunce.”
“Perhaps Ainsley will be able to get the truth out of Lady Kinloch,” said Royal.
Kade transferred his attention to Charlie, who had left her dance partner and was making her way toward the hall. Despite the crowd, it was easy to track her, since she shone like a moonbeam in her silver-spangled gown with its snug bodice and wide skirts. A tartan sash in the colors of Clan Stewart fell from one shoulder to the opposite hip, nicely emphasizing her lovely shape. For such a slender lass, she had more than her share of delightful curves.
“Or I could just ask Charlie,” he mused, half to himself.
