“How did you catch me out?” she asked with feigned nonchalance. “Here I thought I was making such a good job of it.”
“You did make a good job of it. But before we get to that, I need to say something to you.”
He sat next to her and stretched out his long legs, propping one foot on top of the other.
“Settling in for a nice chat, are we?” she asked, trying to ignore the way his very presence seemed to bring the blood rushing to her head.
“An apology first,” he replied. “On my grandfather’s behalf. I’m afraid he embarrassed you in the gazebo.”
Charlie had been embarrassed, but probably not in the way he assumed. She’d taken his grandfather’s measure some days ago and found his behavior amusing rather than embarrassing.
“Are you referring to his assumption that you are participating in my father’s scheme to catch me a husband?” she asked.
Kade snorted. “An assumption delivered with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, I’m afraid.”
Charlie smiled. “I like your grandfather, Kade. He’s fun, although I do wish he wouldn’t twit my father so much. He’s driving Papa rather mad.”
“Royal has tried to lay down the law in that regard but, alas, to no avail.”
“My mother is more than capable of managing the both of them. Or, rather, she is as long as Melissa isn’t having an episode.”
He canted sideways to face her. “But you were embarrassed earlier, Charlie, and I am truly sorry for that.”
She waved a hand. “He’s no worse than my parents. Our relatives seem quite determined to embarrass us with their matchmaking.”
“It’s practically an avocation among Highlanders. They’re obsessed with strengthening and preserving the family and the clans.”
“I suppose you can’t blame them,” she replied. “The Highland clans did not have an easy time of it for a very long spell. But nobody’s trying to kill us anymore, and we get along perfectly well with theSassenachs. Look at your family. Royal and Ainsley seem like the perfect example of peaceful coexistence.”
“The Kendricks have been thoroughly conquered by Englishwomen, with an Irish lass thrown in for good measure. But as for peaceful coexistence . . .” He waggled a hand. “Let’s just say, most of the time.”
“Well, weareHighlanders. Fighting is in our blood, is it not?”
“You certainly have more than your fair share of the Highland warrior flowing through your veins.”
She eyed him, feeling dubious. Was he teasing her?
“I hope that’s a good thing,” she said.
“Absolutely it is. My brother Braden’s wife, Samantha, is a true Highland warrior. She even brought down a criminal gang, with a wee spot of Kendrick help.”
Charlie perked up. “How exciting. Were you there when it happened? I’d love to hear all about it.”
“And I’ll be happy to tell you some other time.” Kade hesitated, and then tapped a finger on the cushion between them. “I’m glad you weren’t embarrassed tonight, because I would truly hate for you to feel uncomfortable around me.”
She’d only been embarrassed because they’d been interrupted in the middle of an almost kiss. At least she thought Kade had been about to kiss her. It would be doubly mortifying if he hadn’t been and she’d misread him so badly.
“Thank you,” she said. “And you don’t make me uncomfortable at all.”
At least not the way he meant.
“So,” she added, “how did you figure me out? Here I thought I was being so clever.”
“You were, actually. No sane person would ever believe you would willingly subject yourself to your family’s disapproval, much less to Melissa’s hysterics.”
“Since poor Melissa has the vapors on a regular basis, it was only a matter of degree. But what led you to believe that I had stolen the brooch?”
He shrugged. “It was partly a reasoned deduction and partly a guess. It was one way to spike Richard’s guns, so that was my first thought.”
