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The large room where the girls generally worked on their sewing projects had been converted into a credibly elegant supper room. The long worktables were covered in white linen tablecloths topped with tartan runners that were trimmed with gold tassels. The foundation’s mismatched collection of chairs was now draped in white cotton secured with red velvet ribbons. Brass candelabras marched down the middle of each table, interspersed with bowls of red apples nested in sprigs of holly. Swags of greenery decorated the windows and doors, and tartan bows festooned the wall sconces.
At the moment, only a few small groups of older ladies were seated, enjoying a quiet cup of tea as they waited for Kade’s recital to begin.
“I hope we have enough food and seating to go around,” she said. “I truly didn’t expect that all the invitations would be accepted.”
“I have it on good authority that there’s more than enough champagne and whisky to keep all in an excellent mood.”
She smiled. “Your brother has been more than generous in supplying the refreshments. Nevertheless, I’m annoyed that he won’t allow us to pay for any of it.”
Braden shook his head. “Logan has more money than he knows what to do with. Since you won’t allow us to make a direct donation to the foundation, this is our way of making up for it.”
“You’ve all helped so much, though.”
“It’s what Kendricks do, Samantha. We look out for the people we care about.”
The words were casually spoken, but the intensity of his forest-green gaze made her nerves flutter like hummingbirds. He wasn’t flirting with her, or at least she didn’t think so. It felt more serious than that.
Then again, she could be reading him wrong. Perhaps hewasjust engaging in a light flirtation, the kind that sophisticated people did on occasions like this. After all, he was a man of the world, and she was a widow, and hardly naïve. By society’s standards, it was a perfect alignment for a charming interlude.
Yet with him, she did feel almost naïve again—and certainly out of her element.
“What’s bothering you, sweetheart?” he quietly asked. “Tell me, so I can help.”
So, definitelynotflirting. That conclusion was even more unsettling.
I’m not ready for this.
She retreated to a safer topic. “Logan seemed perturbed when I asked him why Lord Arnprior hadn’t attended the wedding that your grandfather was reminiscing about. In fact, you all seemed somewhat discomforted.”
He grimaced. “It was a difficult time for my family. Nick’s first wife had died only a few months before. He was still in mourning and preferred to stay at Castle Kinglas with his son.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset anyone.”
He briefly pressed her hand. “Not to worry. No one was offended.”
“Are you sure? Because—”
She mentally cursed her stupidity. Howcouldshe have forgotten?
“Sir, I must apologize again. I remember my parents talking about the loss of Lord Arnprior’s little boy some months later. What an utter tragedy. And there I went, blundering right into it. No wonder you all looked so uncomfortable.”
When Braden took her hand, she almost startled. It was highly improper of him, but it was also . . . lovely.
“Lass, you didn’t blunder into anything. Yes, it was a terrible time for all of us. But despite those devastating events, Nick found love again. My sister-in-law is a splendid woman, and she has given my brother three splendid children. He is a happy man and grateful for the second chance and all his blessings. The whole family shares his gratitude.”
His gentle response brought a prickle of tears to her eyes. She thought of all she’d lost . . . her husband, her baby . . . and the prickle threatened to turn into a flood.
He tipped up her chin, making her realize that she’d been staring down at her lap, lost in a welter of ugly memories.
“No tears, sweetheart, or that gaggle of old gals across the room will wonder what I said to make you cry. Since I’m a Kendrick, they’ll assume I’m being either rude, salacious, or both. Fortunately, Logan isn’t here, or he’d tell them to mind their own bloody business, thus confirming their worst suspicions.”
Samantha smiled and released his hand. “I’d rather enjoy seeing that.”
“Stick with my family and you certainly will. Logan is particularly well known for scaring the locals, especially those inclined to gossip. That, of course, generates even more gossip, which tends to annoy his poor wife.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “It appears Donella manages him quite well, however.”
“Kendrick women have a talent for managing Kendrick men.”
