Page 63 of The Highlander's English Bride

He gave a low chuckle. “Ye can tell me all aboot it as we wait.”

Mr. MacDonald escorted her toward a town coach that sported a coat of arms. It was spacious and well appointed, with luxurious red leather fittings and polished brass lamps.

They climbed in, and he settled opposite her. “So, yer the king’s goddaughter.”

“I am, sir.”

“And Lord Musgrave’s yer da.” Mr. MacDonald stroked his chin. “And would that be the same Musgrave with yon estate in the borderlands?”

“Indeed. Our family seat is in Northumberland.”

“Yer da married a Scottish lass. Of the Chattan Clan, if I’m recallin’ correctly.”

“That is correct.”

From everything Sabrina knew about Scots, they were rather obsessive about their history and clan lineage, so she supposed it made sense that he’d know about her mother. And why he’d be so curious.

“And ye have no brothers and sisters, I’m thinkin’,” he probed.

“I’m an only child, Mr. MacDonald.”

He beamed at her. “Call me Angus, lass. Everyone does.”

“Oh, that’s kind, but—”

“How did ye meet my grandson?” he interrupted. “Surely not in that river.”

“Well . . . yes, that was when I met him. It’s more of a pond, though.”

She looked away, having no interest in reliving that humiliating experience.

“Och, there’s nae need to be embarrassed. When it comes to Graeme, there’s always a bit of a story. I ken that he pulled ye out, but how did ye end up in the drink in the first place?”

Clearly, the old Scot was impervious to hints.

But thankfully, Graeme appeared just then, the carriage rocking as he bounded onto the step and climbed in. The roomy interior seemed suddenly crowded as he slid past Sabrina and sat next to his grandfather. Graeme’s long, booted legs took up every available inch of space between the seats.

“She was pushed into the Serpentine by a cutpurse,” Graeme said as the carriage began to move.

Angus looked perturbed. “I canna be surprised at such doin’s in theSassenachfleshpots, but that’s a bit of bad luck.”

“You have no idea,” Graeme said.

“It wasn’t my fault, as you know,” Sabrina retorted.

“If you hadn’t been hanging about the park, waiting for—” He bit off the words, as if they were sour.

“Must we talk about this now?” Royal and Ainsley naturally deserved an explanation regarding her actions, but why did his grandfather or the other members of the Kendrick family need to know?

“I think we have to,” Graeme reluctantly said.

“What in blazes are ye talkin’ about?” Angus demanded.

“Lady Sabrina was waiting to meet a man when the cutpurse attacked her.”

“Obviously not waiting for ye.”

“Obviously.”

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