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She looked at Graeme, startled to catch him staring intently at her. When his smoldering gaze dipped to her lips, she could almost feel the press of his firm mouth to hers. It made her go weak in the knees—and other places. Sabrina had to resist the urge to shift on the plush velvet seat.
Angus jabbed his grandson. “Would ye like me to step out of the carriage so ye can make a proper good-bye to her ladyship?”
Graeme shot him an annoyed look. “I’m perfectly capable of saying good-bye from here.”
“But—”
“Grandda, you need to stay in the carriage and keep an eye on the women. The footmen will also remain, but you’re responsible, understand?”
Grandfather and grandson exchanged a look that seemed to transmit an entire conversation.
“Aye, lad,” Angus said. “I’ll keep a good eye on things.”
Victoria smiled at Graeme. “We’ll be fine, dear.”
“And we’ll be too busy watching the parade to think of leaving the barouche,” Sabrina assured him.
“Excellent,” Graeme said. “We’ll come to fetch you once the king passes by. Stay out of trouble, all right?”
Ainsley snapped off a mock salute. “Aye, aye, sir.”
Graeme and his brother held a low-voiced conversation before Royal slipped through the crowds, away from Union Street. Graeme went the other way, steadily forging toward the triumphal arch. His imposing height made it easy to follow his progress until he disappeared behind a stand packed with dignitaries.
“That’s odd,” Sabrina murmured.
“What’s odd, dear?” Victoria asked.
“I thought the men were going together, but they headed off in different directions.”
“Oh, I believe Royal is fetching us ices,” Ainsley said. “It’s beastly hot, don’t you think?”
It wasn’t the slightest bit hot.
“And I suspect that Graeme wanted to check on Grant,” Vicky added.
“Aye, to twit him about his missing broadsword,” Angus said in a droll tone.
Clearly, the entire Kendrick family was in league with Graeme regarding his mysterious activities, trying to hide whatever it was from Sabrina.
It was silly, really. Sabrina knew better than most what had to be done to safeguard the king. But Graeme’s behavior suggested something else. He was deeply worried about something, and was right in the middle of it, obviously.
She leaned across to speak quietly to Victoria. “Is there some sort of specific threat to the king that you’re all worried about?”
The countess appeared startled before quickly pressing Sabrina’s hand. “There’s actually nothing to worry about, my dear. Look around at the security. One can barely move without tripping over a soldier or a city constable.”
That much was true. Still . . .
“I’m not entirely sure what Graeme’s—I mean, Mr. Kendrick’s—role is in any of this. Couldhebe in any danger?”
Victoria’s sky-blue gaze warmed with sympathy. “Graeme has gotten himself into a fair amount of trouble over the years and has always managed to get himself out. He’ll be fine, I’m sure.”
Not a terribly reassuring answer.
Ainsley stood, peering over the growing commotion in the street. “I can see the procession approaching the arch.”
A growing din rolled up the street and echoed against the rise of Calton Hill, its looming slopes covered with a multitude of cheering Scots. It was an amazing sight, as if half the country had turned out to give the king a boisterous welcome. Unexpectedly, Sabrina’s throat went tight. In this moment, in this explosion of jubilation, she realized she’d never been happier. Scotland, which had been forbidden to her by her father’s fretful bigotries, now seemed exactly where she wanted to be. It was a splendid and almost perfect moment.
It needed only one thing—or man—to make itentirelyperfect. While that would require a bit more work, she’d never been afraid of a challenge.
