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Will tactfully intervened. “Her ladyship is upstairs with Mrs. Kendrick, seeing to the last-minute details regarding Mr. Kade’s concert. There are some concerns about the placement of the piano.”
Angus clucked his tongue. “Och, I told them footmen that they were placin’ it wrong. I’d best get up there. Ye ken how nervous Kade gets when he performs, especially if I’m nae there to help him.”
Contrary to that assertion, Kade had iron nerves and rarely got fashed about anything.
Braden patted the old fellow’s shoulder. “Excellent idea, Grandda. I’m sure Kade is already wondering where you are.”
As Angus beetled off, Logan sighed. “This evening is going to be a nightmare. Besides keeping Grandda under control, Donella has ordered me to rustle up large donations from the guests. I cannot tell you how much I’ll enjoy trying to convince a fat lot of ninnies to open their purses.”
“Just threaten them. That usually works.”
“Oh, very helpful. It’s not as if we don’t have other things to worry about, either.”
Braden and Logan planned to keep a close eye on the foundation’s board members, noting whom they talked to and how they behaved. Logan believed that something dodgywasat play with the finances—possibly money laundering, although the precise means were not yet clear. The logical conclusion was that someone connected with the foundation had to be involved. But since they had little evidence to point them in the right direction, Braden feared that tonight would be a futile exercise in that regard.
Still, if they could manage to raise a goodly amount of fundsandconvince Lord Beath that Samantha’s work was entirely respectable, the evening would count as a win.
“Do we know when Lord Beath is arriving?” he asked Will.
“No, but the guests should start arriving momentarily,” the butler replied. “Mrs. Blackmore has agreed to remain in the hall to greet them, since Lady Samantha is organizing the children’s choir for their performance with Mr. Kade.”
Logan nodded toward the staircase. “And speaking of Mrs. Blackmore.”
Dressed in a resplendent green velvet gown that showcased her generous curves, Bathsheba arrived at the foot of the staircase, accompanied by Mrs. Girvin. They made a handsome pair, although Mrs. Girvin was dressed in a severely cut, black gown devoid of trimmings. Still, the woman’s blond beauty was startling, as was the haughty demeanor that seemed oddly out of place.
“Hallo, and who is that with Bathsheba?” Logan murmured.
“The foundation’s housekeeper,” Braden replied.
His brother cast him a startled glance. “She doesn’t look like the housekeeping sort.”
“Indeed, no,” commented Will in a clearly disapproving tone.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” Bathsheba gaily said. “You both look splendid, although I’m disappointed that you decided to forgo the kilt. I do so love a man in a kilt.”
According to Samantha, Lord Beath was allergic to most anything to do with the Highlands, so they’d decided on traditional evening wear. Unfortunately, Angus had clattered downstairs at the last minute wearing full dress kilt. Because it had been too late for him to change—and since he was, for once, looking respectable—Braden had not pushed the issue. He could only hope the rest of them would pass Beath’s muster.
Logan bowed over Bathsheba’s hand. “You, dear lady, are beyond splendid. You’ll have the poor fellows slavering in your wake all night.”
She wrinkled her nose. “That sounds rather disgusting, nor do I think my husband will approve.”
“Speaking of John, where is he?” Braden asked.
“He had a tricky case to finish up this evening but should be along before Kade’s recital begins.”
Braden smiled at the housekeeper, who stood quietly at Bathsheba’s shoulder. “How do you do, Mrs. Girvin?”
“Very well, Dr. Kendrick.” She glanced at Will. “Mr. Macklin, I believe you should make a final check on the waiters before the guests arrive. If you will accompany me to the kitchen?”
“Of course, Mrs. Girvin.”
Will sketched a bow before departing with the housekeeper, his stiff posture radiating his disapproval of her.
“Well, that’s bollocks,” Logan commented. “As if Will needs to be told how to do his job.”
“Yes, I’m afraid he’s not very keen on Mrs. Girvin,” Braden said.
Bathsheba shook her head. “That woman is even more arrogant than me. But sheisterrifyingly efficient, and she seems to deal with the children quite well. Samantha speaks very highly of her.”
