Of that he was well aware, as the blasted thing was giving him fits. For some reason, the music wasn’t coming as easily as it usually did.
“And Braden is certain your injury won’t affect your ability to play in the future?” Vicky asked.
Kade nodded. “It’s just a matter of time and proper rest. I should be able to return to a full concert schedule by mid-autumn.”
“Then no long hours of practice, Kade. I know you, and I will lock up the music room if I have to.”
“Yes, Mother,” he dryly replied.
“Dreadful boy. But as Nicholas said, you can use this period of rest to work on your concerto. Kinglas is the perfect quiet environment. No one will bother you in the least.”
Actually, they wouldallbother him. His family would fuss and twitter over him like a bunch of nervous hens and drive him batty within the week.
“Although I hope you won’t be bored,” Vicky added. “Your life is so glamorous that we must seem like a fusty lot in comparison.”
“Touring isn’t all that exciting. Mostly it’s just work and spending too much time in carriages, jostling over bad roads.”
Vicky flashed him a teasing smile. “Vivien said you’re very popular, and that half the ladies in Europe are in love with you.”
Kade waggled a hand. “Probably no more than a third.”
“Kade Kendrick, I was joking!”
He laughed. “As was I. And I obviously need to have a little chat with Vivien. She’s telling too many tales out of school.”
Vicky patted his hand. “You’ve always been the sweetest and best-behaved Kendrick, so I’m sure those reports are exaggerated.”
“Kade would nae do anything to embarrass the family,” Angus said, stoutly defending his grandson. “But he is getting on in years. I think it’s time for the lad to settle down. Meet a nice lassie and get married.”
“Excellent idea, Grandda,” Nick said with approval.
“I amnotgetting on in years,” said Kade. “And I’m too busy to settle down.”
“You only think that because you’ve not yet met the right girl,” Nick replied. “And speaking of that . . .” He directed a meaningful look at his wife.
Vicky smiled at Kade. “Now that you’re back home, dear, we thought it might be fun to throw a ball in your honor. There are some delightful young ladies in the neighborhood. The Davenport sisters, for instance.”
Alarm crawled up Kade’s spine. “Thank you, but I’m really not interested in socializing. Concerto to write, you know.”
“Aye, the Davenport lassies,” Angus chimed in. “Those two would give ye a run for yer money. Their da’s rich as Midas, too.”
Nick flashed Kade an encouraging smile. “The Davenport girls are both quite lovely. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to spend time with you.”
Kade began to envision a horrifying round of social occasions, all designed to push him into the arms of a Kendrick-approved young woman.
Trying not to look completely appalled, he cast Royal an imploring look. His brother wiped a hand over his mouth, as if to smother a laugh, but responded with his usual loyalty.
“Rather than dragging the poor lad to a dreary round of social events,” Royal said, “what about a stay at Cairndow? Fresh air, the mountains, the peace of the countryside, that’s what Kade needs. Not a pack of silly girls twittering after him.”
“In case you failed to notice,” Nick said, “Kinglasisthe country. Besides, I would never drag Kade anywhere. I would simply suggest a few outings he might enjoy.”
“You would absolutely drag me,” Kade replied, shaking his head.
“Cairndow is the back of beyond compared to Kinglas,” Royal said. “It’s so remote that sometimes even I get lost.”
Victoria scoffed. “Now you’re being silly. Cairndow is only a day’s ride north of Kinglas, if that. Although it is very quiet.”
Cairndow was the small but tidy estate that Royal’s wife, Ainsley, had inherited from her great-aunt. It was a rather old-fashioned place but still comfortable and welcoming. And unlike the rest of his relatives, Ainsley didn’t give a damn about matchmaking. At Cairndow, Kade knew he would be left alone to work on his concerto.
