“It’s none of your business,” she snapped.
“It is, however, my business,” Donella said. “So let me give you a word of advice—don’t listen to gossip. You both sounded like silly dimwits, which is hardly an attractive quality in a respectable woman.”
“You’re one to talk, Miss Haddon,” the blond girl indignantly replied. “I think you are quite awful.”
“Awful,” her friend echoed in a quavering voice.
“Naturally, I’m devastated to hear that,” Donella said. The blond girl took her friend’s arm. “Come along, dear. I don’t know why we came to this dreadful party in the first place.”
“Don’t forget to say good-bye to the Gilbrides on your way out,” Logan said. “You know, your host and hostess? The ones you were gossiping about?”
The chits stormed past him, drawing a great deal of notice in their wake. In fact, even though they’d been relatively tucked away, he suspected their scene had drawn at least some attention.
Splendid. More gossip.
“Well, that was fun,” he said, turning back to Donella.
She sank onto the deserted bench with a sigh. “No, it wasn’t.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
What in heaven’s name is wrong with me?
Donella contemplated that question while staring at the tips of her dance slippers. If Logan hadn’t appeared and forced her to pull in her claws, how far would she have carried her ghastly joke? Deserved or not, her behavior had been uncharitable and foolhardy.
“Mind if I join you?” Logan asked as he sat down beside her.
She cut him a sideways glance. “Do I have a choice?”
He flashed his devastating smile, not looking a bit concerned that she’d again caused a scene. Although it would not be as dramatic as the chatter about the sweet shop, gossip about this particular episode would surely circulate.
Of course, Logan also excelled at making scenes, so he was hardly in a position to criticize.
“I suppose you could flounce off and leave me here,” he replied. “But that would probably draw even more notice, which I’m sure we’re both eager to avoid.”
The gleam of humor in his eyes sparked her temper.
“You certainly did your best to stoke the furnace, sir. Your comments were hardly helpful in defusing the situation.”
His eyebrows went up in an incredulous tilt. “Lass, I pulled your pretty arse out of that furnace. Those two idiots were about to launch into a shrieking fit of hysterics. Well done, by the way. I was impressed by your tactics.”
“Yes, I managed the situation quite skillfully. Every person in the room witnessed that ridiculous scene. One only has to look around to see the evidence.”
So far, Donella had done her best to pretend she wasn’t the target of avid interest. And no doubt more than a few of the guests had also heard the ugly remarks about her mother and what she’d said in return.
Logan made a point of scanning the room, letting his iron gaze linger on anyone who seemed a little too curious. Predictably, most of the guests hastily glanced away or struck up a loud conversation with their companions.
Enjoying the protection of an irate Kendrick male did occasionally have its advantages.
Logan returned his attention to her. “Dinna fash yerself, lass. No one will pay a mite of attention to those two twits.”
It was her turn to be incredulous. “You did hear what they were saying, did you not?”
Now that he’d finished terrifying the room, Logan’s gaze had once more turned warm and so kind that it brought a sudden sting of tears to her eyes. Because underneath her rage and contempt for those who would gossip with such callous disregard, lurked an endless pool of hurt and shame.
And when Logan finally found out the truth . . .
Donella pressed a hand to her lips to choke back a small sob.
“Och, lass,” he murmured. “You’ll not be having a bout of hysterics in the buffet room. Edie would kill me if I let that happen.”
A flare of irritation snuffed out her incipient tears. “Since when did you ever see me fall into hysterics, Mr. Kendrick? When we were set upon by kidnappers, perchance?”
He rose from the bench and extended a hand. “That’s my girl. Now let’s get a wee dram to settle you down. We definitely need to talk about this little episode.”
“You said that on purpose,” she grumbled.
“It worked, didn’t it? Now don’t make me stand here looking like a booby while you make up your mind.”
“Very well, but only because we’d both look like boobies and generate even more gossip.”
“Actually, I think we’ve cornered the market on gossip.”
Given the rise in chatter as he led her from the room, there was little doubt of that.
“I don’t suppose you could encourage the twins to do something outrageous?” she hopefully asked. “Something truly stupid that would draw attention away from us.”
“Alec and Edie wouldn’t be too happy if I did. The twins destroyed quite a bit of furniture at one of their Hogmanay parties a few years ago. Took Graeme and Grant months to pay off the damages.”
“That’s awful.” She paused. “Do you think they would do it again if I asked them?”
He steered her toward a knot of soberly clad gentlemen. “You needn’t worry about anything, Donella. I promise.”
He was wrong about that. But since he was now exchanging greetings with the men who were obviously business acquaintances, she held her peace.
Besides, she wasn’t exactly burning to reveal her gruesome family secrets, and especially not to him.
“If you’d like to speak with your friends, I won’t mind,” she said as he moved them along. “I can go find Eden.”
He threw her an amused glance. “That is a pathetic attempt to avoid the matter at hand, sweetheart.”
She scowled. “You really are immensely irritating.”
“Years of practice.”
Donella was so busy muttering under her breath, it took a moment to realize he’d led her into the quiet cross-corridor along the back of Breadie Manor. “Where are you taking me?”
“To the library. Alec keeps his best whisky there, and it’s quiet, so we can talk.”
She skidded to a halt. “That is an exceedingly bad idea.”
“Why?”
“Because we’ll be alone.”
Brawny, handsome, and temptation incarnate, he loomed over her. “We’re just going to have a wee dram and a wee talk. Nothing scandalous about that.”
“It’s entirely scandalous, and you know it.”
His eyes betrayed his exasperation. “Donella, we’ve been alone on any number of occasions, and our families have never objected.”
“No? Alasdair all but threatened to murder you for maligning my virtue after that night in the crofter’s cottage.”
“I believe we agreed it was impugning, not maligning.”
She looked around for a convenient vase to throw at his head.
“I’m very good at ducking, lass,” he said, gently nudging her along. “And I promise to be on my best behavior. If I’m not, I further promise that you can bash me over the head with as many vases or candlesticks as you like.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“I know, but you like me anyway.”
She refused to dignify that with an answer because, well, she did like him.
You more than like him.
Logan was right, and Eden had been right, too. She needed to give this a chance, and she needed to be as honest with him as she was able. Donella couldn’t reveal everything about her past, but she could tell him about her mother. He certainly deserved that much.
The library was at the very end of the hall, far from the service rooms and the more public parts of the house. It was blessedly silent, and Donella had to admit she was grateful to escape the heat and the press of so many people. After her years in seclusion, she still found crowds to be a formidable chall
enge.
She’d always preferred a quiet evening by the fire, spent with a book and a cup of tea, and sometimes a chat with family or close friends.
A sudden image of Joseph curled up by her side as she read him a story rose in her mind. Logan was close by, keeping watch over both of them. A sense of longing began to squeeze her heart so strongly that it was hard to breathe. God, she wanted that life. She wanted her own family, and a child to love.
And she wanted Logan. That was the most shocking revelation of all.
“All right, lass?” he murmured as he reached around her to close the door.
She forced out the breath that was stuck somewhere between her ribs. “Yes.”
He tipped up her chin and studied her face for a moment. Then he dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. “We’ll get it sorted, sweetheart.”
“There’s nothing to sort, I assure you.”
He snorted by way of reply and led her to the apple-green velvet chaise tucked cozily into the alcove of the bow window. “I’ll get us a drink.”
She gratefully sat, given her wobbly knees.
He crossed the room that Eden had recently repapered in a crimson silk that handsomely set off the Grecian mahogany furniture. Splendid bookshelves flanked the large desk and the fireplace, rising floor to ceiling.
As far as Donella was concerned, the best feature of the room was this window alcove, which faced west toward the rising hills. The intimate little nook was her favorite place to read. Thanks to the fire burning brightly in the hearth, it was cozy now, too. For the first time all evening, her tense muscles began to relax.
But her heart started tripping over itself again when she heard Logan’s quiet footfall returning to her.
“May I?” he asked, as he settled beside her.
She took the cut-crystal glass he offered. “I don’t know why you bother asking, since you’re going to do whatever you want.”
His smile was crooked. “Probably, but Nick often tells me that I should be improving my manners.”
“I’d say it’s a lost cause.” She sighed and set the glass on the low reading table before them. “Then again, so am I.”
“That’s why we’re perfect for each other.” He picked up the glass and handed it to her. “Drink, lass. Think of it as medicinal. It’ll help warm you up.”
She was already feeling quite warm, thanks to the giant sitting next to her. Nevertheless, she complied with his gentle command. The smoky beverage slid down her throat to ease her taut nerves.
“You were looking a little pale there for a while.”
She managed a smile. “I’m sorry I’m being such a goose, and I really should thank you for rescuing me. Your intervention was most timely.”
“I’m just sorry you had to hear their ugly nonsense.”
“It’s my own fault, eavesdropping as I was.”
“I was rather surprised to see you lurking behind a potted plant in that nefarious manner. How did you end up there, anyway?”
She winced. It would be easier to dodge his question, but embarrassment was no excuse for cowardly behavior. “If you must know, I was looking for you.”
His dark eyebrows shot up. “Hiding behind a potted plant? Not my usual habitat, love.”
Donella plunked down her glass and crossed her arms under her breasts.
Predictably, his gaze snagged right on her bosom, which was rather popping up over the top of her bodice.
She hastily brought her hands down to her lap. “Don’t be ridiculous. I was simply having second thoughts and needed time to compose myself. Things haven’t exactly been easy between us this last little while.”
Logan was obviously fighting a smile. “So you decided to duck behind the greenery for a bit of ruminating. Of course that makes perfect sense.”
“It was a very nice plant, in case you failed to notice.”
She sounded like a twit but she didn’t care. Logan Kendrick had to be the most annoying man in the entire kingdom.
He reached for one of her hands, wrapping his long fingers around hers. “I did fail to notice, because I was busy looking at the extraordinarily pretty girl hiding behind the palm and I was wondering what she was doing.”
His warm, gentle tone deflated her sails.
“I sound like a complete fool, don’t I?” she said with a sigh. “And I did get my just deserts for eavesdropping. I didn’t mean to, you know. I was simply going to sit in that window alcove when I heard those two, idio—er, girls talking.”
“Idiots, I believe you were going to say.”
“That would be very uncharitable of me.”
He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. The feel of his lips on her skin sent shock waves rippling through her body.
“It’s just ugly nonsense,” he said in a soothing tone. “You shouldn’t listen to any of it.”
Oh, dear. The last thing she wanted was his pity. She’d been an object of pity too many times, and she was heartily sick of it.
Better to make a joke of it. “They weren’t entirely wrong. I’ve been causing one scene after the next about town— rather like a circus act. No matter how hard I try to behave, I just can’t make it stick.”
That last bit ended on a quavering note that made her feel even more humiliated.
He scoffed. “Donella, there isn’t a damned thing wrong with you, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“You have to admit some of my behavior hasn’t exactly been rational.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed anything amiss.”
It was her turn to scoff. “Logan . . .”
He took her other hand, holding both between his. “Donella Haddon, you are a brave and spirited lass with true Highland fire. If you’d been a man, you’d have been a warrior.”
As she gazed up into sky-blue eyes that gleamed with humor, affection, and warmth that muddled her brain, Donella didn’t feel brave at all. She felt terrified, because she was realizing she’d truly and finally fallen in love.
And that meant she had to own up to some very uncomfortable truths.
“I meant it when I said those girls weren’t entirely wrong. When they were talking about my mother, and about me.”
“Sweetheart, if you’re trying to say you’re queer in the attic, I’m not having it.”
She glanced down at their joined hands. God, it was hard to tell him. Harder than she’d ever imagined.
“The truth can’t be worse than the lies,” he said.
She choked out a strangled laugh. “You’d be surprised about that.”
“Donella, it’s time I knew the truth about your poor mother’s situation. I can help, if I know exactly what the problem is.”
Her gaze darted upward to meet his. Instead of confusion or judgment, she saw only understanding. “You know, don’t you?”
“That your mother is ill and under private care? Yes. Nick told me.”
“Of course he would know. Victoria would have told him.” And how embarrassing was it that his lordship had then gone on to tell Logan.
Logan shook his head. “He only told me because I was concerned by your reaction to the old Ferguson bat at the sweet shop. Nor has Victoria been telling tales. Nick has only the most basic details about your mother’s condition, nothing else.”
“Does anyone else in your family know?”
“Not to my knowledge. And it’s no one’s business but yours. I only wish to know because I want to protect you against the kind of ugly gossip we heard tonight.”
He so obviously meant it that she found herself blinking back tears again.
“Och, lass,” he said in a gruff voice. “None of that nonsense. Ye’ll kill me if ye start up with that.”
She pulled away one hand to briefly press her fingertips against her eyelids. “Sorry, I’m being silly. And I don’t know if there’s anything you can do, since the rumors are already circulating. We thought we’d scotched it after the original incident but apparently not.” She sighed. “I suppo
se getting kicked out of the convent is what set it off again. My poor family. I give them nothing but trouble.”
“If that was the case, they’d be shipping you off to another convent as quick as could be, and they are not.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe it would be better if they did.”
Logan dipped his head and pressed an utterly possessive kiss to her lips. His mouth was warm and firm, lingering for a few delicious moments, long enough to set her heart hammering against her ribs. When he drew back, she found her hand resting on his chest, as if to find balance.
Because she’d never felt more off-kilter in her life.
“And we’ll have no more nonsense about another convent,” he said gruffly. “You’re staying right here with the people who love you, understand?”
She blinked up at him, trying to gather her scattered wits. She wished she had the courage to ask if he was among those who loved her. Since that seemed presumptuous and entirely too risky, she simply nodded.
“Good girl. Now, do you think you could tell me about your mother?”
“Why not?” she said ruefully. “Everyone else in town seems to know.”
“That’s doubtful, and it wouldn’t be accurate, anyway.” He let go of one hand and reached for her glass.
“Are you trying to get me intoxicated, Mr. Kendrick?”
“Just trying to help you steady your nerves.”
Donella took a healthy swallow, choking a bit as it went down. “At this rate, I’ll be so relaxed I’ll slide down to the floor.”
“If you do, I promise to catch you.”
And keep me, too. I hope.
“It’s not a very nice story,” she warned.
“I’m a Kendrick. We specialize in that sort.”
“By Kendrick standards, I suppose it’s probably not all that shocking.”
He cupped her chin and gave her another brief kiss. “It’s all right, Donella. Whatever you tell me, it’ll be all right.”
What she should tell him is to stop kissing her. Donella made herself promise that if he did it again, she would box his ears.
Or, at the very least, give him a severe scold.
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