Page 132 of The Highlander's Christmas Bride

“I suppose it doesn’t really matter how they started,” she said. “All I can do is try to ignore them.”

Logan’s eyelid twitched, but he refrained from stating the obvious.

“Which I obviously failed to do tonight,” she wryly added. “No wonder people think I’m touched in the head.”

“Anyone else in the family dicked in the nob?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Then leave off with that nonsense. You’re the sanest person I know.”

Her throat went tight, because it was the perfect thing for him to have said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He let go of her arms and reached for his glass, taking a drink. Then, frowning, he stared out the window, as if searching for something in the darkness beyond the polished glass.

Donella shifted a bit and smoothed her skirts over her knees. Now that he was no longer looking at her, she had to resist the temptation to tug up on her bodice. As she always did when talking about her mother, she felt uncomfortable and exposed.

Despite his sympathetic attention and kisses—three kisses, in fact—he seemed to be subtly drawing away from her. She couldn’t blame him. Her life was a mess, and she was now the object of some truly mean-spirited gossip that would reflect poorly on any man who courted her.

Was he regretting his intention to woo her? Between the debacle with Roddy and this disaster, she could soon become a magnet for all sorts of slander.

Her heart suddenly skipped a few beats.

Joseph.

How would this affect him? If she and Logan continued to be seen together, it could make him a target. That was too horrible to contemplate. The poor boy had already suffered enough.

“What are you thinking?” she asked, too nervous to keep quiet.

He glanced at her, blinking, almost as if he’d forgotten her. “I’m simply trying to figure out what to do about this situation. It won’t be good if the gossip continues to spread. I’d best speak to Alec first, and then go from there.”

He was no longer looking affectionate, or even remotely like he wanted to kiss her. He seemed distracted and perhaps even annoyed.

It almost killed her to say it, but it was the right thing to do. “I understand your concern. And I also think it’s best that I return to Blairgal immediately. I’ll explain the situation to Joseph first, though, so he understands. The gossip will then die down, and there will be no repercussions for you, or for Eden and Alasdair.”

He scowled. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Joseph shouldn’t be subjected to any more nasty gossip.” She managed a wobbly smile. “Nor should you. You’ve been incredibly kind, Mr. Kendrick, but I do not hold you to any obligations you feel you may have—”

He moved so quickly, she barely had time to gasp. A moment later, she was sprawled inelegantly on his lap, staring up into his glittering gaze.

“What are you doing, sir?” Her voice came out more like a squeak than a demand.

“Youaredaft if you think I give a damn about any of that,” he said. “And Joseph loves you, silly girl. He’d kill me if I let you leave.”

She tried to steady herself by bracing her hands on his massive shoulders. “That’s . . . that’s very kind of you. And I know you believe you made a commitment to me, but you didn’t. And . . . and it’s silly to think you or any man should wish to marry me. Or want to. I’m not the marrying kind, you see. I’m . . .”

She trailed off when his gaze narrowed to ice-blue slits.

“Are you quite finished?” he asked with heavy sarcasm.

She felt the first stirrings of irritation. “I’m not sure.”

“I am.”

“I don’t see how.”

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