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“Ahem, thank you. As I was trying to explain, her ladyship had recommended a book she thought I would like, one by Sir Walter Scott—”
“Of course, itwouldbe one of those inane novels,” Graeme interrupted.
“She had generously offered to lend it to me,” the vicar finished with wounded dignity.
“That’s right,” Sabrina said. “I told David he could borrow my copy whenever he wished.”
“I meant to pick it up the other day, but I, er, experienced a small accident with a watering can in the garden, which forced me to return home.”
When David then darted a glance at Kathleen and blushed, she had to swallow a curse.
Grant looked at her. His mouth twitched, but then he simply nodded at the vicar. “Carry on, Mr. Brown.”
“Anyway, I didn’t wish to miss another opportunity. So before supper, I came upstairs to retrieve the book. I was looking through the shelves when Miss Jeanette came into the room.”
“I followed him up,” Jeannie said with fatal candor. “I thought it would finally be our chance to be alone.” She gazed defiantly around the room. “I wanted to tell David that I loved him.”
Kathleen sighed. “Dearest, that was neither wise nor appropriate. You put both Mr. Brown and yourself in a very awkward position. If anyone else had found out—”
Jeannie flung away from her. “You have no right to speak to me like that, Kath. You’re not my mother or my guardian. And if I want—”
“Vicar, I believe Captain Brown will be wondering where you are,” Grant smoothly put in. “And the ladies will no doubt wish to talk without us hanging about like useless ninnies.”
“Oh . . . oh, indeed,” David said with a grateful smile. “Certainly, poor John will be wondering where I am. I’ve been gone for much too long.”
Graeme stepped forward and took him by the arm. “Splendid. I’ll escort you downstairs.”
Before anyone could say another word, he frog-marched David from the room.
“Best go and make sure he doesna throw yon vicar over the banister,” Angus said to Grant.
“Indeed,” Grant dryly replied.
When Kathleen cast him a grateful smile, he gave her a thoroughly roguish wink in reply. That brought a heated blush to her cheeks, but he was already striding from the room.
Angus waggled his bushy eyebrows at Kathleen. “Looks like there’s hope for our Grant after all, eh, lass?”
Jeannie scowled. “I wish people would stop saying things I don’t understand.”
“Grandda, you can go any time,” Sabrina pointedly said.
“Happens yer right. The lads will probably get into it once Graeme gives yon vicar and his scaly brother the boot.”
Sabrina pointed at the door. “Out. Now.”
“Nae need to get fashed, missy. I’m off.”
After he’d stomped out and slammed the door shut, Kathleen sagged against the bookshelves. “Thank God. What an utterly dreadful scene.”
“Only because you were all so mean,” Jeannie said in a surly tone.
Still, she didn’t miss the tearful shimmer in the girl’s eyes. Jeannie was obviously mortified and hurt. And now Kathleen had to hurt her even more.
She lovingly placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders. Jeannie’s gaze was filled with both a wounded defiance and a vulnerability that made Kathleen’s heart ache.
“Darling, I know you think you love Mr. Brown—”
“I do,” Jeannie exclaimed.
