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“You have to admit it was hilarious,” Gillian said. “Surely the look of stoically pained outrage on Henderson’s face was worth the upset, Vicky.”
“You didn’t have to deal with my cook,” her cousin wryly replied.
“Still, Jeannie’s right,” Kathleen said. “It was a lovely dinner.”
Mostly.
“I’m glad you both enjoyed it,” Victoria said. “It’s kind of you to overlook our little foibles.”
“By that I suppose you mean Angus,” Gillian commented. “I already adore him. Next to him, I look positively ordinary.”
Kathleen raised her eyebrows. “Ordinary? Is that even possible?”
Gillian laughed. “You are definitely what Angus would call a cheeky lass. And speaking of possibilities, what were you and Grant discussing during dinner? Anything interesting?”
Kathleen refused to respond to that obvious lure, instead frowning at her sister. “Sweetheart, Daisy has caught her paw in your lace trim. She might rip it.”
Jeannie rolled her eyes but carefully removed the dog’s snagged paw.
“If there’s any damage, my dresser will repair it,” Victoria said. “She’s had plenty of experience with just that sort of thing.”
“How many dogs do you have?” Jeannie asked as she hoisted a drooling Daisy higher onto her lap.
“Three here and seven at Castle Kinglas. Angus would cart all of them about with us if we let him. I fear both Hendersonandmy housekeeper would quit if they had to manage the whole lot.”
Gillian reached down and ruffled Daisy’s fur. “They’re sweet, but I prefer a good mastiff. Nowthatis a dog you can count on to cover your back in a fight.”
Jeannie perked up. “Have you been in lots of fights, Your Grace?”
“Well, let’s see—”
Kathleen discreetly elbowed Gillian.
“These dogs are the descendants of the original terriers of Angus’s daughter,” Victoria smoothly interjected. “There have been many generations at Kinglas since then, with every dog equally silly. But Angus is devoted to them.”
Jeannie dropped a kiss on Daisy’s head. “He’s so lucky to have them.”
Again, Kathleen felt that cramp in her heart, as if she’d failed her sister all these years and not even known it.
The men chose that moment to join them, dispersing about the room. Lord Arnprior went to the sideboard to pour drinks.
“May I fetch something stronger for the ladies?” he asked.
“I’ll have some of that excellent whisky I keep hearing about,” Gillian said.
“And you, Miss Calvert?”
“It’s Kathleen, please, since your wife has kindly informed me that I am now one of the family. And sherry is fine.”
“Of course yer family, ye and yer sister both.” Angus retrieved a battered pipe from his pocket and winked at Jeannie. “Especially if yon lassie on the floor will fetch me a spill for my pipe.”
Jeannie giggled and started to carefully remove the dogs from her lap.
“You stay right there, Jeannie.” Kade quickly fetched a spill from a brass container by the fireplace.
Jeannie gazed up at him with all the wonder of a young girl in the grip of her first crush. “Thank you.”
“Uh-oh,” Gillian muttered.
