AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He inclined his head. “True. Although Nick is a clan chief and truly devoted to our traditions, he was determined that we receive a good education and learn to get along comfortably wherever we found ourselves. He didn’t want our brogue holding us back. Still, it comes out now and again.”
“I’ve noticed that it’s generally when you’re fashed about something.”
“Like facing down armed villains?” he dryly replied.
She waggled a hand. “Still, you’re very cultured. One might almost take you for aSassenach.”
“Lady Samantha, are you trying to insult me?”
She widened her eyes in mock innocence. “My dear sir, never.”
“Cheeky lass. Well, you might not sound like aSassenach, but you clearly didn’t allow the nobs and snobs to get the best of you. Here you are, and we’re indeed lucky to have you.”
She gave him a rueful smile. “You’re very kind. However, it had nothing to do with me. It was all Roger. I was floundering, you see. After only a month here, I was so unhappy that I was ready to walk back to the Highlands. But then I met Roger, and everything changed. He . . . he rescued me.”
Braden’s expression turned serious. “I’m dead certain that Roger Penwith counted himself a very lucky man to gain your hand. And I suspect he felt you rescued him, too.”
“Roger could have picked any girl from here to Inverness. He had legions pursuing him, you know. I always found it rather astonishing that he set his sights on me.” She let out a ghost of a laugh. “Practically from the moment we met.”
His gaze turned thoughtful as he studied her. As the silence stretched between them, Samantha suddenly became aware of how odd—and oddly intimate—their conversation had become. She rarely talked about Roger to anyone, and certainly not to a man she’d been flirting with only a few minutes ago. It was terribly confusing, and she hated feeling confused.
“Dr. Kendrick, I really should return—”
“I know exactly why he married you,” Braden interjected.
“Well, yes. It was because he fell in love with me.”
“But you’re not surewhyhe fell in love, are you?”
She shrugged, feeling even more awkward. “Not really. It was enough to know that he did love me. I never needed effusive compliments.”
Braden took her hand again. “Roger Penwith married you because you’re a kind, intelligent, courageous woman who outshines almost every other woman in this bloody city. Ofcoursehe married you. As for howyourescuedhim, that’s perfectly obvious.”
Oh, Lord, he was going to make her cry again. “It is?”
“Absolutely. You rescued him from his nightmare of a grandfather.”
She choked out a laugh that was part sob.
Braden let out a dramatic sigh. “I don’t mean to criticize your nearest and dearest, Samantha, but Beath is possibly the most rotten person I’ve ever met—alive or dead. And I have encountered some truly rotten dead people, as you can imagine.”
She practically choked. “Sir, that is justdreadfullyinappropriate. And I am a dreadful person for laughing.”
He smiled. “Good. We were both growing much too serious, given our surroundings. Shall I fetch you something to drink? You could no doubt use a moment to compose yourself before we return to the horrifying Lord Beath.”
Samantha stood. “I think I’ll visit the retiring room if you don’t mind. I have a feeling my nose has turned quite red.”
“Yes, but it’s a delightful shade of red.”
“And you really arequiteoutrageous,” she said with mock severity.
“No one’s ever told me that I’m outrageous. I like it,” he said as he escorted her out to the hall. “Shall I wait for you?”
“You’d best go in. I’d rather Lord Beath not see us enter together.”
His smile was wry, but he simply nodded. “I’ll have a glass of champagne waiting for you when you return.”
“Thank you.”
