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Angus had seemed forever indomitable to Braden, but he was now in his eighties, and although robust for his years, he was starting to look a bit frail. Long trips could not be good for him.
Obviously reading his thoughts, Angus gave him a little shove. “I’m fine, lad. Strong as an ox, ye ken.”
“You could use a little meat on your bones, though. We’ll have to fatten you up while you’re here.”
“Fah, save yer doctorin’ for Teddy. He kept us busy on the trip. We had to stop every few miles to let the puir lad do his business.”
“Grandda, why didn’t you leave him at home?”
“Because I want ye to treat him. Yer a doctor, are ye not?”
Clearly, he would indeed be treating his grandfather’s decrepit terrier.
“Ho, Braden. There you are.” Kade came trotting down the central staircase. A wide smile split his little brother’s handsome features.
Of course, referring to Kade aslittlehad become ridiculous, given that he now stood over six feet tall. Frail and sickly as a child, it had taken him years to recover his health. Braden knew better than anyone how hard the lad had fought for his life, since he’d been with him every step of the way. It was because of Kade that Braden had long ago decided to become a physician. He’d vowed that if he accomplished only one thing in life, it would be to cure his little brother.
Thankfully, his brother had eventually recovered from the fevers that had plagued him, in part due to Victoria, Nick’s wife. Initially joining the Kendrick household as Kade’s governess, she’d loved and nurtured the lad as if he were her own child. Now, ten years on, Kade was the picture of health and as brawny as the rest of the Kendrick men.
“You cheeky bastard.” Braden gave him a fierce hug. “I thought you were still in London, finishing up your tour.”
Kade thumped his back. “I’ve missed you, brother. It’ssobloody good to see you.”
A surge of emotion tugged at Braden’s throat. Of all of his close-knit family, he was closest to Kade. They’d spent so much time together as children, weathering many trials. Sadly, given Braden’s work and Kade’s flourishing career, they now rarely saw each other.
“Did London finally get tired of the prodigy and send you on your way?” he asked.
“As if those bloodySassenachswould even ken good music,” scoffed Angus. “Kade was doin’ them a favor.”
“Yes, I distinctly remember the king making just that point at my final concert.” When his grandfather’s eyes widened, Kade grinned. “I’m joking, although I agree that Iama prodigy.”
He’d been one from a young age. Now, at twenty-five, Kade was a renowned pianist as well as an accomplished violinist and composer. He’d already performed in some of the finest concert halls in Europe, and spent a good part of the year in London. It was splendid to see him doing so well. But his growing popularity meant that his visits to Scotland were becoming increasingly limited.
Braden glanced at the pile of luggage. “You two look like you’re planning to stay for a month.”
“We are stayin’ for a month,” Angus said. “We’ve come for the holidays.”
Braden frowned. “But you always spend the holidays at Kinglas with the rest of the family, as does Kade, if he’s about. I can’t imagine Nick will be happy about the change.” He lightly punched his brother’s shoulder. “And Vicky will be missing her favorite lad, will she not?”
It was a running joke that Kade was Vicky’s favorite. Their sister-in-law often teased that the rest of the Kendricks were Highland barbarians compared to the urbane, polished young man that Kade had become.
“Vicky is currently busy with a wee man named Kyle Aden Kendrick,” Kade replied. “He’s a fussy little fellow. He drools quite a bit and keeps her up late at night.”
Kyle, Nick and Vicky’s third child, was now almost four months old. Braden had made a point of traveling to Glasgow for the delivery, determined to see that Vicky and her child got the best care.
“Sounds just like one of Grandda’s terriers,” Braden said.
“Fah, he’s a grand little lad,” Angus proudly said. “In the pink of health, or I wouldna have left him.”
Their grandfather was mad about babies, especially Kendrick babies. He fussed over them to the point of driving the family nursemaids insane.
“Glad to hear it,” Braden said, “but that still doesn’t explain your decision to decamp to Edinburgh, when you always spend the holidays at Kinglas. Without fail, I might add.”
Angus scratched his chin, suddenly looking furtive. “We dinna want ye to feel neglected, particularly at such a special time of year.”
Braden narrowed his gaze. “That sounds a bit fishy, Grandda.”
“Why don’t we join the others in the drawing room,” Kade smoothly interjected. “Braden, I’m sure you must be wanting a drink before dinner, yes?”
