“Miss Stewart, please take my seat,” Kade said, coming to his feet.
Angus sprang up with remarkable alacrity. “Nay, take mine. I’ll just be toppin’ off my drink.”
Charlie looked hesitant but then shrugged and sat in Angus’s spot.
“How are you?” Kade quietly asked as he resumed his seat. “Really?”
“Running out of patience. I’m afraid I might be forced to murder my sister before the week is out.”
“My offer still stands, Charlotte. I’m happy to help you search for the brooch.”
She ducked her head, avoiding his gaze. “Thank you.”
More evasion.
Morgan strolled over to the drinks trolley to refresh his glass. “Now that the festivities are over, perhaps we could all help Miss Charlotte search for the brooch. You know, like a treasure hunt. I’m sure we’d find it in a trice.”
Lord Kinloch shot him a startled glance. “Treasure hunt? This is no joking matter, sir.”
“Of course not, my dear sir,” Morgan replied. “And not a treasure hunt, precisely. But at least the men could mount a search. We could even place wagers as to who would find it first. Nothing extravagant, of course, just a trifling thing to make it more interesting.”
Johnny perked up. “That’s a splendid idea, old fellow. Lighten the mood, eh?”
Kade felt Charlie go rigid beside him. “No, it’s a terrible idea,” she said.
“I quite agree,” Lady Kinloch sternly intoned. “There will be no wagering in my household, especially over such a serious matter.”
Morgan bowed in her direction. “My apologies, dear ma’am. I certainly do not wish to cause offense.”
Lady Kinloch gathered herself and returned a polite smile. “We really shouldn’t bore our guests with a little family problem. Do forgive us.”
The baronet pressed a hand to his chest. “I consider myself quite one of the family, my lady. It was so kind of you to ask me to stay and join this cozy little group.”
“That was me,” Johnny said. “It never even occurred to Mamma until I asked her.”
Lady Kinloch looked discreetly appalled by her son’s admission. Even Morgan seemed taken aback.
Charlie sighed. “Really, could my family be any more ridiculous?”
Kade smiled at her. “Just another day in the Highlands, if you ask me.” He leaned in a bit. “By the way, I’m happy for the opportunity to spend more time with you, although I get the distinct impression you’re trying to avoid me.”
Her eyes went wide and she stared at him. She truly had lovely eyes, like the softest of velvet.
“A-hem.”
Kade glanced up to find Richard hovering a few feet away, glaring daggers of death at him. “Ah, Campbell. Did you wish to say something?”
The man squared his shoulders. “As a matter of fact—”
Charlie jumped up, forcing Richard to step back. “Oh, Mamma, look at the time. Surely dinner is ready by now.”
Lady Kinloch looked momentarily confused. “Oh, yes. I quite forgot that we’re eating a cold buffet tonight.”
“Splendid,” Colin said from across the room. “I’m positively famished.”
Melissa looked reproachfully at her husband. “Dearest, how can you eventhinkof eating with all this uproar?”
“Well, because it’s dinnertime, I suppose,” Colin replied.
