Page 80 of The Highlander Who Protected Me

They were still laughing when they joined the ladies.

“Care to share the joke?” Ainsley asked.

“Can’t,” Royal said, winking at her. “Not for a lady’s ears.”

Victoria narrowed her eyes. “Royal Kendrick, if you’ve been sharing naughty stories with your little brother . . .”

“He wasn’t,” Kade said, throwing Royal a mischievous grin. “Actually, we were discussing Lady Ainsley and Grandda. We were saying they’re rather like—”

“And how are the ladies today?” Royal hastily interrupted. “Well, I hope?”

Ainsley was not to be deterred. “I am the soul of courtesy to your grandfather. I cannot be held responsible for the actions of a deranged Highlander.”

“I hope you didn’t tell him that,” Royal said.

“She did,” Kade replied. “I heard her.”

“Good God.” Royal wavered between exasperation and amusement.

“In my defense, it was not until he called me a spoiledSassenach,” Ainsley pointed out.

“Also true,” said Victoria. “I was forced to separate the combatants.”

“That was actually a bit disappointing,” Kade said. “I was enjoying the fireworks.”

Ainsley poked him in the shoulder. “Don’t think I didn’t hear you chortling behind your hand, young man.”

“I’m thankful I missed that particular encounter,” Royal said.

“I’m sure there will be more such episodes for you to witness,” Ainsley said. “If you deign to grace us with your presence.”

He had to repress a wince. Hehadbeen carefully avoiding her and equally hoping she wouldn’t notice. “I apologize if you think I’ve been neglecting you.”

“Oh, I don’tthinkit, if that’s what you’re wondering,” she said.

“Tira is beginning to stir,” Victoria said, tactfully redirecting the conversation. She smiled at Royal. “She must have heard your voice.”

He bent to look into the carriage. Tira’s eyes were still closed, but she’d kicked off her blanket and was squirming a bit.

“She’ll be awake soon,” he said. “She’s probably hungry.”

“We’d better go back, then,” Ainsley said, instantly sounding concerned. “She might cry if she gets too hungry.”

The poor lass always seemed to take her daughter’s tears personally. Royal thought them more a sign of teething, and of bad timing, to a certain extent. Tira had reached the stage where she didn’t like strangers. To her, Ainsley was a stranger.

“The nursemaid assured me that Tira consumed an exceedingly hearty breakfast this morning,” Victoria said. “And a snack just before we fetched her.”

Ainsley checked the watch pinned to her waist. “Still, it’s almost lunchtime. It won’t do to let her fret.”

Royal glanced into the carriage again. Tira had stuck her thumb in her mouth. With her eyes now at half-mast, she looked the picture of drowsy contentment.

“You’re the one who’s fretting, love,” he said. “Tira is fine.”

A faint blush colored Ainsley’s cheeks, but whether from his endearment or his teasing he didn’t know. Despite her jab about being ignored, she was rather skittish with him. They were a pair they were, since he was skittish too. In fact, he was bloody terrified of hurting her by saying the wrong thing.

“I know. I’m a complete fussbudget,” Ainsley ruefully said. “But I had no idea babies were so complicated.”

“They’re not, really.” Royal reached into the carriage and gently hoisted Tira into his arms. She snuffled around her thumb, and then nestled against his chest. “They simply want food, love, and a warm place to sleep. Not necessarily in that order.”

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