AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Angus struck one of his heroic poses. “Someone has to remember our glorious history. Ye’d all forget everythin’ if I didna remind ye.”
“It was a family wedding, not the Battle of Bannockburn,” Braden dryly said.
His grandfather rounded on him. “And shame on ye for not rememberin’ that sweet lassie. A ray of sunshine she was, always with a laugh. Hard to forget so grand a little miss.”
“In my defense, she didn’t remember me until you reminded her, either.”
“Like I said, it was because ye had yer head stuck in a stupid book.” Angus glowered at him. “With all them brains of yers, I hope yer doin’ a better job of courtin’ the lassie now.”
“Grandda, I was only ten,” Braden exclaimed in disbelief.
Fortunately, Logan intervened to end the absurd discussion. “Angus, I hear there’s a stash of Graeme’s finest about. Care to show me where?”
“Best hold off,” Kade warned. “I see trouble heading our way.”
The room had slowly been filling with Edinburgh’s finest, dressed in their finest. Several of the ladies had already started to hover in Kade’s vicinity, albeit discretely. Most of the guests, however, had headed for the refreshment tables or were strolling about, chatting and admiring the festive décor.
“I canna see a bloody thing,” Angus complained. “All these ladies twittering around our Kade—it’s annoying.”
“Even more so for Kade, I imagine,” Logan said.
“I will not have you offending my most dedicated fans,” Kade responded in a droll tone.
Braden ignored them, his gaze fastened on Samantha. With Donella and Bathsheba, she was making her way back to them, and stomping beside her, his cane practically digging holes into the floor, was Lord Beath. He was decidedly unhappy, from his expression.
“Och, now I see the old poop,” Angus said. “He looks like someone rammed a pole up his—”
“Grandda, no,” Braden interjected. “For Lady Samantha’s sake, you need to behave yourself.”
Angus waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll be the soul of courtesy. The old bastard won’t know what hit him.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Not to worry,” Logan said. “I’ll cart the old fellow off if I have to.”
“Ye’ll be doin’ no such thing,” Angus indignantly replied.
“Grandda, I was talking about Lord Beath, not you.”
“Would you all shut it?” Braden hissed.
Then he mustered a welcoming expression as the small party joined them.
“Gentlemen,” Samantha said in an artificially cheerful voice. “May I introduce you to Lord Beath? Sir, these are—”
“I know who they are. You’re the doctor, I take it,” Beath said to Braden.
“I am indeed, sir.” He gave a slight bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Beath’s eyes narrowed to cold slits. “Unfortunately, I cannot say the same.”
CHAPTER18
Samantha repressed the impulse to whack Lord Beath with her fan. The dratted man had only just arrived and he was already insulting Braden.
Thankfully, Braden remained unperturbed. “I sincerely regret that, my lord. But allow me to at least introduce my family.”
“This evening ismostirregular,” Beath complained, dodging the request. “I expected Samantha to greet me at the door. Now I’ve found she has not seen fit to hold a proper receiving line.”
