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“I suspect the bastards are just as likely to attack us on the road.”
He snorted. “Och, lass.”
“I know. I’m completely shocking.”
“Charmingly so. However, I would think Jeannie’s inappropriate fascination for the vicar would be an excellent reason for returning to Glasgow.”
“Have you ever tried talking reason to a sixteen-year-old girl?”
He smiled. “No, but I clearly remember being a sixteen-year-old boy. Neither Graeme nor I had a farthing’s worth of common sense between us.”
“Then you will understand my dilemma. Besides, I won’t leave Sabrina.”
“Commendable, but—”
She held up a hand. “I will not budge on this, sir.”
“Not even if it gives you a surefire excuse to escape the back of beyond? No one would blame you, Kathleen.”
“I would. Sabrina needs me.”
His mouth twitched up into a wry half smile. “It’s a kind lass, ye are.”
She couldn’t help bristling. “Does that surprise you?”
He studied her for a moment, then leaned forward and gently tapped her nose. “Not one wee bit.”
“Oh, um, thank—”
“Then since you will continue to be stuck with us,” he briskly cut in, “what do you intend to do about Jeannie and the vicar?” He shook his head. “That sounds like the title of a very bad melodrama, doesn’t it?”
She made a concerted effort to regroup. “More like a farce, I’m afraid. Mr. Brown seems entirely unaware of Jeannie’s enthusiasm for him, which is surprising.”
“I believe he’s failed to notice because he’s been distracted by something else,” he replied in a carefully neutral tone. “Or, I should say, someone else.”
She pointed to herself. “That would be me.”
That pulled a reluctant grin from him. “I was trying to be discreet.”
“Surely you’ve learned by now that such measures are pointless with me,” she cheerfully replied.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a rather unusual young woman?”
“Odd is the way most people would put it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being odd. My entire family fits every definition of the word. If you were to look it up in Mr. Johnson’s excellent dictionary, I suspect you’d find an illustration of Angus, ratty old tam included.”
She laughed. “You seem to be the exception to the rule. You’re very . . .”
“Normal?” he dryly finished.
She echoed him. “There’s nothing wrong with being normal.”
“That is very reassuring,” he said. “Now, getting back to yon vicar, we agree that his penchant foryouis the reason he’s unaware of Jeannie’s penchant forhim.”
“Hisinappropriatepenchant for me,” she said, determined to make that clear.
“There’s nothing inappropriate from his point of view. It’s perfectly reasonable that a man like him should wish to court such a bonny lass.”
