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She waited for them at the top of the stairs. “And if you think I’m going to let my brother-in-law deliver my baby, you are deranged. Family togetherness can only go so far.”
Graeme frowned. “Braden is the best doctor we know. You’ve said it yourself, many a time.”
“True, but he only just received his medical degree last year,” she replied. “A fact you would remember if you’d been here for the ceremony.”
“Sorry,” Graeme muttered. He’d wanted to be there for the lad’s convocation. Unfortunately, he’d been in Paris, dealing with a Russian spy who’d been causing a spot of trouble for the British ambassador.
“Victoria has an excellent physiciananda midwife,” Nick said. “The best doctors in the country are in Edinburgh.”
“Still—”
“Victoria is strong,” Nick said firmly. “Trust me.”
“Yes, sir,” Graeme replied. “Sorry to cause trouble, sir.”
“Causing trouble is a Kendrick specialty,” Vicky said with a twinkle. “Go in and get a drink. I’ll round up the rest of the family.”
Graeme followed his brother into a lofty room with elegant plasterwork and a gleaming parquet floor partially covered by a woolen carpet in muted plaid. A white marble fireplace held pride of place, topped by a dramatic landscape of Castle Kinglas and Loch Long. Two red sofas sat opposite each other, and several well-padded armchairs, trimmed in green velvet, were grouped casually around the sofas. Polished round tables were laden with books and fresh flowers, but still had room for teacups or glasses. Everything was bang-up to the mark, including the wall sconces with Wedgwood medallions that matched the green of the chairs.
Naturally, a large pianoforte was featured near one of the window bays. With two accomplished musicians in the family, no Kendrick household was complete without one.
“What do you think?” Nick asked as he headed to a large sideboard and its collection of decanters.
“It’s splendid.” Graeme strolled over to look out the window at the expansive green space across the street. “And a damn sight better than anything in Old Town.”
Although there were many fine buildings in the historic parts of the city, much of Old Town was a crowded warren of sadness and decay. New Town, with its elegant townhouses, mansions, and green squares, had been built in the hope of attracting investment and revitalizing the city’s fortunes.
Nick handed him a crystal glass with a generous tot of whisky. “Your sister-in-law has enjoyed spending our money to kit the place out.”
“She’s earned the right, putting up with us.”
“Aye. Though to be fair, it was more Logan’s money than mine.” Nick shook his head with fond exasperation. “The bloody idiot wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Och, Logan is rich as Midas. Besides, he likes to spend money on the family. It’s his way of—”
Graeme caught himself. He’d been about to say that spending money was Logan’s way of making up for the mistakes of the past and his former estrangement from Nick.
“I know,” Nick said, “but it’s not necessary.”
“It probably is for Logan. We all carry around our past, and some parts you can never truly put to rest. All you can do is try to make things better, both for yourself and for the people you love.”
When his brother tilted his head in a thoughtful inspection, Graeme wished he’d kept his bloody mouth shut.
“When did you turn into such a wise old soul?” Nick finally asked.
“Never is the answer. I’m the same reckless idiot I’ve always been.”
“You were never an idiot, although you and Grant worked hard to convince me otherwise.”
“Grant has the brains between the two of us. You know that.”
“I’ll agree he’s doing very well working for Logan. Lad’s got a head for numbers, which was a surprise to all of us, I think.”
“Not to me.”
Graeme had always known his twin had both a sharp mind and a kind soul. Grant’s unstinting loyalty had been the true gift of Graeme’s life. Even in the worst of times, when their family had cracked under too many tragedies, Grant had been a steady and faithful presence.
When they’d finally struck out on their separate paths, it had been wrenching for both of them. He suspected Grant had managed it better than he had. There’d been many a difficult day—and darker night—when Graeme had wished desperately to see his twin. Grant understood him as no one ever had, and probably more than Graeme understood himself.
