Page 50 of The Highlander Who Protected Me

Royal had forgotten how much his grandfather loved babies. “You can hold her later, Grandda. I promise.”

“No one is holding anyone until you tell us what the damn hell is going on, Royal,” Nick said.

“Language, dear,” Victoria said. “There’s a child present.”

When Nick shook his head with exasperation, Royal almost chuckled.

Almost. Given his exhaustion and the black mood that had once again descended on him, he couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever muster a laugh again.

When the wee mite in his arms finally stirred, he glanced down. Tira cracked a huge baby yawn and her eyelids fluttered open. She stared blearily up at Royal for several seconds, calm as anything, before drifting back into sleep.

It took him a moment to realize he was smiling at her like a totty-headed fool.

“What’s her name, laddie?” Angus asked.

He looked up to meet his grandfather’s gaze. “Tira.”

Angus blinked in surprise. “Ye named her aftermydaughter?”

“Yes.” Royal had no intention of backing down on this. He’d meant it when he told Ainsley that her baby deserved a special name, and he’d seen how touched she’d been by the gesture. “Why wouldn’t I name my daughter aftermymother?”

Angus narrowed his eyes, as if trying to decide whether to take offense. Then he glanced down at the baby again, and his rheumy gaze softened. “Aye, well, it’s a grand way to honor yer dear mother, and that’s a fact.”

Royal breathed out a sigh. “Thank you, Grandda. It did seem like the right decision.”

“I’m glad there was at least one decision that seemed right to you,” Nick said. “Now, can we please try to focus on what’s important?”

“Which is?” Royal asked.

Nick closed his eyes and pressed a finger to the center of his brow. Probably counting to ten.

“I think your brother would like to know what your plans are for Tira,” Victoria said.

Nick opened his eyes. “Yes, but first I would likeverymuch to know who the mother really is. As far as I can remember—and I have an excellent memory—you were not cavorting with barmaids in Inveraray nine months ago. You were in Glasgow, with me. We went down to get Kade settled for his school term, remember?”

Royal grimaced. “Oh, blast. I’d forgotten that.” He’d deliberately chosen Inveraray because it was fairly remote, and curious folk would be much less likely to ferret out the more dubious elements of the story.

“Who is the real mother of this child?” Nick demanded.

“Darling, you really cannot guess?” Victoria asked with exaggerated patience.

“Obviously not,” he gritted out.

“It’s Lady Ainsley, dinna ye ken,” Angus said. “Who else?”

Nick stared at Angus, clearly dumbstruck, before looking at Royal. “Lady Ainsley Matthews.”

“Correct,” said Royal.

“Good God, then why the bloody hell don’t you marry her, if that’s the case,” his brother snapped. “For heaven’s sake, Royal. I never expected this of you. I feared the twins might one day do something this stupid and irresponsible . . .” He trailed off, frowning. “Wait, that doesn’t make any sense either.”

Royal waited for him to come to the inevitable conclusion.

“Lady Ainsley didn’t arrive in Glasgow until December,” Nick said. “Which means . . .”

“Which means you’ve arrived at the wrong conclusion,” Victoria finished for him. “It’s all right, my love. It’s been a surprise for all of us.”

He shot her a narrow-eyed look. “You figured it out.”

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