Page 167 of The Highlander's Irish Bride

“You know, you can be almost as annoying as your twin.”

He laughed. “Actually, I am much more annoying than my twin. He’s the nice one, remember?”

“And the smart one, I hear.”

“Smart enough to fall in love with you.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Some might think that’s a poor show of judgment on Grant’s part.”

“Then some are complete morons.”

She flashed him a wry smile, though what she mostly felt was relief. While the most easygoing of men, Graeme was fiercely protective of his twin. Grant would always be his own man, but Graeme’s approvalwouldbe important to him. Kathleen would never wish to disrupt the incredibly strong bond between the brothers.

“Thank you, Graeme.”

“By the way, thankyoufor working your magic on wee Gus tonight. Sabrina tells me that he was yelling his head off until you got your hands on him.”

“Untilhegot his hands on my hair ribbons,” she joked, pointing to the tumble of hair over her shoulders.

“My boy knows a pretty lass when he sees one. You’re a miracle worker with him, Kathleen. We’re going to miss you.”

“But I’m not going anywhere.”

“Not even back to Glasgow?”

She narrowed her gaze. “Who told you? I haven’t even spoken with Grant, yet.”

“Nobody told me.” Then he waggled a hand. “Well, Angus did.”

“Of course he did.” She couldn’t help asking, just to be sure. “And you’re all right with it? I mean, with us?”

“Kathleen, you make my brother happy. For that, I will always be grateful.Allof us are grateful, and we count ourselves exceedingly lucky you have chosen to be part of our family.”

Her throat grew suddenly tight. “I’m the lucky one.”

Graeme wrapped an arm around her shoulders and dropped a quick kiss on the top of her messy hair. “Och, you’re a grand lass, ye ken. Now, go see your man. He’s in the library.”

“Working as usual?”

“Yes, and he’s due for a break.”

She smiled and pressed his arm before moving past him.

“Oh, Kathleen?”

She turned. “Yes?”

“Be sure to lock the door.”

She huffed out a chuckle. “And I thought I was the incorrigible one.”

He walked backward from her. “We’re Kendricks. Incorrigible is our middle name.”

Kathleen was still smiling when she raised her hand to knock on the library door. She stilled, then turned the knob and walked into the room.

The sudden blaze of light made her blink. Branches of candles dotted the tabletops, and a pair of candelabras, one on each corner, sat on the large mahogany writing desk in the middle of the room. A cheerful fire blazed in the hearth, sending warmth and light streaming into the room.

Unlike the study, which served as Graeme’s office for his estate and magistrate duties, the library was given over to reading or writing letters. The room was old-fashioned, with its cozily faded carpets on polished oak floors, and a comfortable sofa on the other side of the desk, facing the fireplace. A soft woolen blanket was draped over the sofa, and plump pillows nestled in the armchairs. Jeannie in particular loved this room and spent a great deal of time here, nose deep in a book.

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