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“My husband has taught me that words, or even looks, are often a more effective weapon than, well, weapons. Not that I don’t carry a knife at all times. You’d be surprised how often a good blade is just the thing.”
Kathleen burst into laughter, largely from nerves. It felt good after her ghastly morning.
“That’s better,” said Gillian, quirking a smile. “Now, shall we get down to hard facts? Because I think we must.”
Kathleen’s spurt of amusement faded. “It’s truly bad, isn’t it?”
“Yes, thanks to bacon-brained Philip Carling and his dreadful mamma. Even Charles won’t be able to keep that nasty old tabby down for long.”
Kathleen propped her aching head in her palm. “I don’t really even know why I did it. It was so stupid.”
“You were bored, I expect. I understand perfectly.”
“You’re probably the only one.”
“So, did you win?”
“Of course. Denny was in a complete snit about it.”
Gillian laughed. “At least there’s that. But we do need to get you out of town.”
“Fine, but not Scotland. While I love Sabrina, spending the entire winter in some frigid corner of the Highlands . . .” She shuddered just thinking about it.
If only she could get back to Ireland, with its lovely soft air, misty green fields, and the quiet beauty of Greystone Court.
“But Sabrina’s a pip,” Gillian said, “and her husband is anything but boring. He’s a Kendrick, after all.”
“I’m sure I’d be in the way. They’re still practically newlyweds. I’d be a . . . a . . .”
“Spare wheel?”
Most of Kathleen’s cousins and friends were now married and settled into their lives as young society matrons. Oh, she’d had suitors, but nothing had ever stuck. Not that she had a burning desire to wed. She’d take Ireland over a husband any day.
“I have a suggestion that might make the prospect more palatable, and still please your parents,” Gillian added.
Kathleen tilted a skeptical eyebrow.
Her friend smiled. “You’re still going to Scotland, but you’re going with me.”
Nowthatwas a surprise. “Um, why?”
“As you know, Victoria Kendrick, Countess of Arnprior, is Sabrina’s sister-in-law and my cousin. Vicky is the only one in my family of royal by-blows that I have yet to meet in person. I very much wish to remedy that.”
Kathleen hesitated. “Would the duke and your children also be going on this trip?”
Gillian wrinkled her nose. “Charles has convinced me that it would be a ridiculously complicated venture with two small children. But I’d been thinking about a trip to Glasgow for some time. It’s a happy coincidence that your gruesome stepmother came up with much the same plan as Charles and I did.”
“But the duke cannot wish you to be gone for such a spell. And what about your children?”
“Charles is an excellent father, and we’ll all survive a short separation just fine. Stop trying to come up with excuses, Kath.”
Kathleen sighed. “Glasgow sounds fine, but once you return home, it’s off to the bloody Highlands for me.”
“Your stepmother will probably have forgotten all about you by then, and I’m sure Vicky will be delighted for you to stay in Glasgow for as long as you wish.”
“I hope so.” It sounded terribly uncertain, but Kathleen supposed she didn’t have a better option. And spending time with Gillian was better than what Helen might otherwise decree by a league.
Her friend rose. “Then it’s settled. I’ll make all the arrangements. You simply need to pack and be ready to depart first thing in the morning.”
