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He bustled his protesting grandfather off to the piano, a trail of twittering ladies forming in their wake.
“Samantha, I do not approve of Mr. MacDonald,” Beath said in a severe tone. “He is obviously a Highlander.”
This time, even Braden sighed.
“Well, I don’t approve of that fact that I don’t have a beverage,” Bathsheba cheerily commented. “Lord Beath, may I ask for your escort to the refreshment table? I find myself quite parched by all this excitement.”
Samantha flashed her a grateful smile. “Excellent idea. I’ll join you shortly and show you to your seats. I’ve set aside the best for you and Lord Beath.”
Grumbling, his lordship allowed Bathsheba to lead him away.
Logan shook his head. “I just met the old fellow, and somehow I managed to annoy him. My apologies, Lady Samantha.”
“Sir, your efforts were heroic,” she wryly said. “It’s almost impossiblenotto offend him.”
Donella patted her husband’s arm. “You were splendid, dearest. Although I think the flannel waistcoat was a bit much.”
“I was trying to empathize with the old goat . . . er, the old fellow.”
Samantha wrinkled her nose. “That’s what I call him—the old goat.”
“And Iamgoing to make a liniment for you,” Braden sardonically said. “One that is highly odiferous.”
Logan snorted. “I suppose I deserve it after that performance. Why they let us loose in polite company is beyond me.”
“Nonsense, as Donella said, you were quite splendid,” Samantha said. “But in all fairness, Lord Beath’s unfortunate behavior is somewhat understandable. He finds it difficult to come down here. It reminds him too much of . . .”
Emotion gripped her throat.
“It reminds him of his grandson,” Braden gently finished for her. “Perfectly understandable, as you say. No one need apologize for that.”
“Indeed, no,” Logan gruffly responded. “We’re a bunch of untutored Highlanders, so pay us no mind at all.”
“Well, this untutored Highlander is quite thirsty,” said Donella. “Perhaps, husband, you could escortmeto the refreshment table. Then you could try chatting with Lord Beath again about your rheumatics.”
“Only if you promise to give me a nice, relaxing massage with that ointment Braden’s going to make up for me.”
Braden shook his head. “I guarantee you’ll regret it.”
Donella laughed, gave Samantha a quick hug, and then went off with Logan. Their departure left Samantha and Braden standing in the middle of a crowded room, staring at each other.
“Alone at last,” he said with a glimmer of a smile.
“I really should attend to Lord Beath,” she regretfully said. “He’ll start fussing if I don’t.”
When she started to follow the others, Braden took her wrist and reeled her back in.
“Sorry, lass. You need a break from the old goat, or he’ll give you a headache.”
He didn’t know how true that was.
“Doctor’s orders,” he added.
“I hope you don’t intend to make up odiferous potions for me,” she joked.
“No, just a stroll to one of the supper rooms. This room is getting too bloody crowded, and I could use a drink.”
She pointed. “There’s a refreshment table right over there.”
