The Highlander's Princess Bride

by Vanessa Kelly

  “Royal is correct,” Nick said. “You did well. But I will be calling on the headmaster the next time I’m in Glasgow. I will also be paying a visit to Lord Kincannon and speak to him about his son.” He paused, grimacing. “And I must talk to Kade about this incident as well. He shouldn’t be hiding things from me.”

  He hated that the lad had kept such a terrible secret from him.

  “You can’t,” Braden said decisively.

  “But—”

  “No. You’ll humiliate him even more. You know how much he looks up to you. He’s afraid you’ll think less of him.”

  “I never would,” Nick protested.

  “Of course you wouldn’t,” Braden said. “But he doesn’t want to talk about it now. It’s best to let it be until he’s ready to raise it with you himself.”

  “When did you become so smart?” Royal said with a wry snort.

  Braden rolled his eyes. “I’ve always been smart. Smarter than the rest of you, certainly.”

  “I think you will make a very fine doctor,” Miss Knight said warmly.

  At least there was one member of the family she approved of.

  Nick sighed. “All right, I’ll be guided by you for now. But we’ve got to do something to help Kade. We can’t act like this didn’t happen.”

  “But we are doing something,” Braden said in a patient voice, as if Nick was a bit slow. “We’re hiring Miss Knight to be his tutor.”

  The governess blinked, her expression going from thoughtful to wary. “But I’m not a tutor. Wouldn’t Kade be better served by a man with the appropriate experience in this sort of situation?”

  Braden shook his head. “Not after that traumatic experience at Eskbank. Frankly, I think Kade will be more comfortable with a woman teaching him. I told Nick that last month.”

  She darted a questioning look at Nick.

  He nodded. “It was Braden’s idea to acquire a female teacher for Kade, and I now understand why he was so insistent. But it was my idea to have you also teach deportment to my other brothers.”

  When she began to scowl, he held up a hand. “We will defer that subject for now.”

  “Or forever,” she muttered.

  The knot inside his chest began to unravel. It seemed like she might be willing to take the job, after all.

  Royal sighed. “It seems like we do need a woman’s influence around this blasted place after all.”

  Nick raised his eyebrows. “Well, Miss Knight, what do you think? Are you up to the challenge?”

  She frowned, clearly debating with herself. “Subject to Kade’s needs and wishes, I will have full control over course material and teaching methods?”

  He nodded, knowing he could trust her to treat Kade gently.

  “And you will see to it that Mr. MacDonald will cease his campaign against me?”

  “He will, but if he doesn’t, I will,” Braden said sternly.

  His brothers seemed to join Nick in holding their collective breath, waiting for her decision. When she finally met Nick’s gaze, her expression was both wry and resigned.

  “Then, yes, Lord Arnprior,” she said. “I will accept the position.”

  Chapter Nine

  Victoria corrected Kade’s fingering on the keys of the Broadwood grand piano. “Try that. And perhaps it might help to slow down while you’re starting out, since it’s such a challenging piece.”

  The boy gave her a comical grimace. “My music teacher in Glasgow used to tell me that I always pushed too hard when starting a new piece of music. He said I needed to learn patience if I truly wished to excel.”

  She smiled. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve always thought patience is overrated. I don’t think there’s anything wrong in tackling something head-on and with enthusiasm.”

  Victoria invariably approached a new composition, especially something as technically complex as Beethoven’s Sonata Twenty-one, with a sense of excitement that made her forget everything but mastering the challenge.

  “I won’t tell Nick you said that,” Kade said with a chuckle. “He’d be shocked to hear my governess encouraging me to rebel against one of the cardinal virtues.”

  She leaned closer on the padded piano bench, as if sharing a confidence. “We’ll make it our little secret, shall we? We can be rebels together.”

  The shy pleasure in his smile warmed her more than the roaring fire in the hearth.

  “I’m so glad you came all this way to teach me,” he said, returning his attention to the music stacked on top of the piano. “I hate that Nick worries about me. But he seems to feel better knowing I’ve got you to look after me. Not that I truly need anyone to look after me,” he hastily added. “I’m not a baby.”

  “Indeed no,” she said gravely. “In fact, I believe I spot a few gray hairs sprouting on the top of your head.”

  Kade snickered.

  In truth, he was little more than a boy, and a very sensitive one at that. Every time she thought about the trauma he’d suffered she wanted to cry or rage at the heavens. She could hardly imagine that anyone could inflict so much harm on a child, though that was a foolishly naïve view of the world. Her own experience had taught her that cruelty lurked everywhere, even among the highest ranks of society. Victoria could almost believe that wealthy, powerful men like Thomas Fletcher were the worst, because they often used their privilege to abuse others.

  As Kade began again, his fingers dancing over the keys, she fetched an Argand lamp from the sideboard and carefully placed it on the piano.

  They were in the private family drawing room, waiting for the others to come upstairs after dinner. Since dusk came so early to the Highlands at this time of year, the Kendricks kept sensible—if unfashionable—country hours. She and Kade had already gotten into the habit of excusing themselves before the sweets course, going upstairs to spend time at the piano before the tea tray arrived and the brothers joined them.

  She’d taken up the position of tutor with a sort of grim determination, unable to turn her back on Kade after listening to Braden’s horrific tale. She would have done it for the boy’s sake, of course, but there was another element that had caught her by surprise—her inability to say no to Arnprior. He’d clearly been devastated by Kade’s plight, his grief and fury all but shimmering around him like a dark halo. He’d controlled his reaction with admirable discipline, but Victoria wasn’t fooled. That he blamed himself for what happened to Kade was obvious. That he felt rather helpless in managing the situation was apparent, too.

  So, when he’d quietly asked her to stay, she’d said yes. She wouldn’t have been able to live with herself if she’d turned her back on the Kendrick family when there was even a remote chance she could help. Not even if it meant spending the winter holed up in a drafty, remote castle with what must be the most stubborn group of men in Scotland.

  True to his word, however, the earl had somehow managed to bring his brothers under a semblance of control. It had been almost two weeks since she’d accepted the position, and Alec had departed for Glasgow with Braden. In that time, the twins had stopped bedeviling her, Royal had ceased being entirely surly, and even Mr. MacDonald had mostly pulled in his horns.

  It helped that everyone at Kinglas was devoted to Kade, so when the earl decreed that Victoria was vital to achieving the mission of restoring the boy’s health—even if she was a woman and a Sassenach—the family was forced, however reluctantly, to fall into line.

  Kade’s fingers stumbled when he launched into the final bars of the rondo.

  “Pianissimo,” she murmured. “This section is more delicate, almost like dance music.” She reached in front of him and played a few notes with her left hand to illustrate.

  “Oh, I see. Then I build to a rush at the end, is that right?”

  She smiled. “Exactly. Try it again.”

  This time, he got it. Victoria watched in admiration as his fingers flew over the keyboard, easily managing the rapid scales of the left hand, offset by the trills of the ri
ght. It was a composition that defeated performers with more experience, yet Kade dashed through the notes, throwing his soul into the performance.

  When he ended with a triumphant flourish, she enthusiastically applauded. “That was splendid, Kade. You’ll have the entire piece down in no time.”

  He swiveled to face her, joy shining in blue eyes that were almost a mirror image of the earl’s. Whenever Kade sat down to the piano or practiced his violin, he seemed to forget his troubles. He was beginning to heal from his trauma, making steady progress every day.

  Teaching Kade, knowing that she was truly helping him, had brought Victoria a peace of mind and a sense of purpose that had been missing since that awful night at Welgate Manor.

  “Thank you,” he said. “I love Beethoven, and this piece is particularly wonderful. Wouldn’t it be grand to be able to write something so beautiful? I wish I could.”

  “Have you ever tried composing?”

  A little crease appeared between his eyebrows. “I suppose I never really thought to do so. Besides, I’m not that talented.”

  “You never know until you try.”

  “Have you ever written music?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Yes, and I am definitely not talented in that regard. The results were appalling.” One of her music teachers at school had delivered that message, although Victoria’s ears had already told her the same. “My destiny is to be a teacher.”

  “But you’re an awfully good musician.”

  “Not as good as you.” She thought for a moment about what she wanted to tell him. It had to be in a way that didn’t embarrass him or indicate that she knew his deepest secrets. “The greatest composers are more than just technically proficient. They also feel great emotion, and see the world with a sensitivity and perception most of us lack. They can draw on the experiences of their lives—good or bad—and translate their feelings into music in a way that truly touches their listeners. You already bring that sort of emotion to your playing. It’s something similar with composing, if that makes sense to you.”

  “I think I understand,” he said softly. “It’s almost like explaining without having to talk about it.”

  “Exactly. Some of the best composers did not lead easy lives. But they used their pain, sorrows, and joys to bring their music to life . . . to make it sing.” She patted his shoulder. “I believe you have that kind of sensitivity, Kade. I’d bet you a bob you could write something lovely if you put your mind to it.”

  “You really think so?” he asked with a touching eagerness.

  “I do, but only if you wish to. There’s no need to push.” She had the sense, though, that immersing himself even more deeply in his music would help.

  “It might be fun,” he said. “If you don’t mind that I spend a little more time on that instead of practicing.”

  “Not at all. And I am happy to assist in any way I can.”

  He surprised her by throwing his arms around her neck. When he pulled back from the hug, his eyes were shining with boyish happiness. “Thank you, Miss Knight. Have I told you lately how splendid you are?”

  It took her a moment to be able to control her voice. “I believe you have, sir, and I am most grateful for your approval.”

  “It’s jolly to have a lady around the house again,” he said as he turned back to the keyboard and began practicing trills. “Although Taffy is wonderful, of course. It’s not that I don’t appreciate my brothers and my grandfather, but they can be a bit . . .”

  “Rambunctious and argumentative?” she finished in a droll tone.

  “Yes, and they’re not really interested in my music. Nick tries, of course, but he’s usually too busy to listen. I’m so happy he’s home, though. I missed him terribly during the war.”

  “I’m sure you did.”

  His hands stilled. “He raised me, you know. My mother died when I was born, and I barely remember my father, since he died when I was three. Nick had to pick up the slack.” He flashed her an uncertain smile. “What a burden we are for him.”

  “I doubt he feels that way,” she said. “But I am sorry you never knew your mother.”

  “Thank you. Janet was very kind to me, though. She was also musical, and played the harp for me whenever she stayed at Kinglas. I liked that a lot.”

  Victoria had never heard anyone at the castle mention that name. “Who is Janet?”

  He shot her a startled glance. “She was Nick’s wife. Didn’t you know he’d been married?”

  Her brain seemed to trip over itself. “Ah, no, actually.”

  Kade suddenly looked uncomfortable. “It was quite a long time ago. I was only about seven when she died. Nick doesn’t like to talk about it, so we generally don’t mention her.”

  That was an understatement, since she’d heard not one reference to Arnprior’s wife or his widowed state. In fact, she’d seen no evidence of the lady’s existence at all.

  Kade plunked one of the minor keys, playing a sad little note. “I still miss her.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “It’s sad when someone we love passes away.”

  “She fell ill very suddenly. Nick was quite broken up about it.”

  Losing his wife at such a young age? No wonder the earl was so somber a man. “I can imagine.”

  “Still, it wasn’t as bad as what happened to—” Kade broke off, rolling his lips into a tight line.

  “Happened to?” she prompted.

  He flashed her a smile that was more like a grimace. “Never mind. I really shouldn’t be airing the family’s dirty clouts, as Grandda says. Nick wouldn’t like me gossiping, either.”

  Victoria had to squelch an unseemly curiosity. The Kendrick family past was none of her business. “Quite right too, young man. Gossiping with your governess—how shocking. Everyone would think we’re terribly vulgar.”

  His brow cleared. “Gosh, that sounds rather fun. Perhaps we—”

  He broke off when the door to the drawing room opened. When Arnprior entered, Victoria felt her cheeks grow hot.

  “You two appear to be up to some sort of mischief,” the earl said, strolling over to join them. “What are you talking about?”

  She and Kade exchanged sheepish glances. “Nothing,” they chorused.

  “From your guilty expressions, I suspect such is not the case,” he replied in a sardonic tone.

  “We’ve been discussing music, my lord,” Victoria said. The last thing she’d want him to know was that they’d been talking about his wife. Her employer was a reserved, private man, and if he didn’t wish to discuss his late wife—or even acknowledge her existence—then it behooved her to respect that.

  Kade gave his brother a beatific smile. “That’s right. We’ve been discussing Beethoven.”

  Arnprior propped his hands on his kilted hips—his tall, lean form looked wonderful in the traditional garb—and blew out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m going to have to keep an eye on the pair of you. I have the distinct impression you are not to be trusted.”

  Kade let out a gleeful chuckle. “Yes, it’s fun to finally have a partner in crime.”

  “You’re as bad as the twins,” Arnprior said.

  “Worse,” Kade said.

  The earl laughed, his handsome face lighting with rare amusement. Heavens, the man was devastating when he smiled like that, especially when that smile was directed at her. Victoria was all but ready to melt into a puddle at his booted feet.

  It was a ridiculous thought. She was not the sort of woman to melt at any man’s feet.

  Arnprior was about to reply when the rest of the Kendricks strolled in, followed by a footman and Mrs. Taffy with the tea service. The earl gave Victoria a nod and headed to the mahogany writing desk in the corner. He spent most evenings at that desk, attending to his correspondence while she and Kade practiced the piano or chatted with the twins over tea. Royal occasionally joined them, although he wasn’t much of a conversationalist.

  Tonight, however, Angus had also stom
ped in behind his grandsons, two of his beloved Skye terriers trotting in his wake. The old man gave Victoria a scowl before flopping into one of the armchairs in front of the fireplace, making his continued low opinion of her abundantly clear.

  She swallowed a sigh. Although the old fellow had ceased his campaign of outright hostilities, he was still unhappy with her presence. Why remained something of a mystery, since Victoria was not, as he’d put it, trying to turn his grandsons into spoiled dandies. She’d finally decided he had a general dislike of English persons, and that it was best to ignore him whenever possible.

  “Hullo, Grandda,” Kade said, waving to him. The lad revered the old curmudgeon, and went out of his way to please him. Some days, she couldn’t imagine how such a nice boy like Kade had survived in the tough world of the Kendrick men.

  “Laddie, ye just had dinner with me,” his grandfather said.

  “I know, but you rarely join us for tea, so I’m happy to see you.”

  One corner of Angus’s mouth twitched. She supposed even he couldn’t resist Kade’s artless charm. “Maybe I fancy a bit of music tonight,” he said.

  “Miss Knight and I have been practicing a Beethoven sonata,” Kade said. “Would you like to hear that?”

  The old man scoffed. “Now, why would I want to hear some frippery music by a foreigner? A good reel is what I have a mind for.”

  Taffy, who’d been arranging the tea things on the low table in front of the chaise, slowly straightened up and turned a gimlet eye on Angus. When he flushed a dull red, Victoria wasn’t surprised. If there was one person with the ability to shame Angus MacDonald, it was Mrs. Taffy. They had what could only be called an interesting relationship, although Victoria had no desire to know the particulars.

  “Angus, let the boy play what he wants,” the earl said over his shoulder. “Beethoven sounds like a prime choice, Kade. I’d like to hear it.”

  “I must say, I rather agree with Grandda,” Graeme said, reaching for a macaroon from the tiered plate of pastries. When Taffy slapped his hand, he yanked it back as if he’d been burned.

  “Ye’ll want to be waiting now for a moment,” she said in a reproving tone. “After the earl and yer grandfather have been served their cups.”