The Highlander's English Bride

by Vanessa Kelly

Graeme stared at her as his brain tried to process the absurdity of that sentence.

  A moment later, he burst into laughter, grabbing on to the window frame to keep from doubling over. Her assertion was the most hilarious thing he’d ever heard in his life.

  “Mr. Kendrick,” Sabrina said, “perhaps you shouldn’t laugh quite so loudly. We don’t want to attract undue attention.”

  “Of . . . of course,” he choked out, trying to get himself under control. But he couldn’t seem to manage it. Every time he thought of Angus larking about with the king . . .

  Sabrina frowned. “Mr. Kendrick, really. You must contain yourself.”

  He found her stern look hilarious, too.

  “You started it with this ridiculous story,” he gasped.

  She rose to her feet, alarmed. “Mr. Kendrick. You need to stop laughing, or you will force me to take action.” For good measure, she wagged an admonishing finger at him.

  “Do your best,” he choked out as he tried to get himself under control.

  “Very well, you leave me no choice.”

  She clamped her hands around his head, yanked him down, and planted her lips to his. Graeme sucked in a breath, both in laughter and surprise, and the kiss turned inadvertently and immediately intimate.

  And hot, so hot it practically knocked him off his feet, taking her with him. To keep from falling out the window, he pulled her tightly against his chest. Her hands slid to his neck as she stretched up to deepen the kiss.

  Aye, and what a kiss it was. Sabrina had learned a thing or three about kissing during that illicit interlude in the hackney. Innocent yet bold, she explored his mouth, sending a bolt of pure lust straight to his groin.

  Unable to resist, Graeme planted a hand on the base of her spine, bringing her lovely curves to his lower body. He nudged against her, his erection pressing into the slight, soft round of her belly. She trembled, gasping against his lips, momentarily freezing in his embrace.

  Ye randy bastard, let her go.

  Reluctantly, he was about to do so when her gasp turned into a luscious whimper. Sabrina nestled even closer as she nuzzled his mouth with sweetly sensual kisses. What little brain remained in his head proceeded straight south, focusing on the one thing that mattered—him inside Sabrina, with her body wrapped around his.

  Skin to skin, and as soon as possible.

  It was madness, and he knew it. He didn’t give a damn. The only thing in the world was Sabrina, kissing him with a joyous abandon that was all her, setting him on fire. If there’d been a curtain hanging in the bloody alcove he’d have pulled it shut, stripped her naked, and spread her wide, burying his face between her silky thighs.

  That lascivious image dragged a groan from deep in his chest. He pulled Sabrina higher and gently rubbed against her, his cock pressing into her sweet, intimate notch. At the same time, he surged into her mouth. She trembled and dug a hand into his collar, eagerly tasting him back. Graeme ravished her mouth with hot, deep glides of his tongue. She took every bit of him, and gave it back in good measure.

  And still it wasn’t enough.

  Instinctively, his hand slid to her luscious backside, his fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. The material was a whisper of silk, and hardly any barrier at all to the feel of her supple body. He craved more. He craved every damn inch of her, tonight, tomorrow, and for as long as he could bloody well keep her.

  He deepened their kiss. Sabrina all but climbed up his torso, clinging to him until there wasn’t a spot of daylight between them. He reveled in the swell of her breasts and the feel of her soft, delicious curves. Graeme cupped her, nudging a thigh between—

  An eruption of giggles from the corridor locked them into a frozen embrace, mouth to mouth. Sabrina’s eyes popped wide with alarm.

  “Hell’s bells,” complained a masculine voice. “I don’t know where you lost your confounded bracelet, Eugenia. We’ve been all over the rooms. I suppose we should check these blasted window alcoves, too.”

  Sabrina squeaked into Graeme’s mouth and started to pull away.

  “Hush, love,” Graeme murmured, his lips brushing her cheek. “Don’t move.”

  She shivered, as if suddenly cold, but stayed where she was, securely held in his embrace.

  Where she belonged.

  He ignored that wild thought to focus on the couple now less than ten feet away. As usual, he and Sabrina were skirting on the brink of disaster.

  “You silly man, I haven’t lost my bracelet,” a young woman chortled. “I simply wanted to get you off on my own. Perhaps we can take a little stroll about the corridor?”

  The man brayed with laughter. “I say, that’s crafty of you. But the king’s about to leave, and we don’t want to miss that.”

  Sabrina’s mouth puckered into a grimace.

  “Drat,” said the young woman. “We can’t possibly miss that. My mother would be dreadfully annoyed.”

  “Lord, I don’t need that. Bit of a dragon, your dear mamma.”

  The woman laughed, her reply muffled as she and her escort retreated.

  With a sigh, Sabrina disengaged from Graeme’s embrace. Regretfully, he let her go.

  “We should go back, too,” she said. “His Majesty will be wondering where I am.”

  Now that her lush mouth was no longer fused to his, Graeme’s brain was beginning to function again. “I suspect he won’t be the only one, unfortunately.”

  Sabrina deftly rearranged the ribbon under her bodice—which, naturally, brought his gaze down to her breasts. Then she shook out her skirts.

  “Nonsense,” she said. “We’ve only been gone a few minutes. No one noticed, I’m sure.”

  She’d just kissed him until his eyeballs practically rolled back into his head. With the exception of her pink cheeks, however, she seemed remarkably unaffected.

  “I certainly noticed,” he acidly replied.

  She shot him a sharp glance and then went back to checking her skirts. “Oh, bother. This fabric wrinkles at the slightest touch. I do hope no one notices.”

  “Is that all you’re going to say?” Graeme demanded.

  She tilted her head. “What do you want me to say?”

  “Lass, we were just kissing like maniacs in a secluded alcove. A very secluded alcove.”

  Her smooth brow crinkled. “Do you want me to apologize?”

  “No,” he growled.

  “Do you want to apologize?”

  “I should, except you were the one who kissed me first.”

  “I certainly didn’t notice you objecting.”

  “Uh . . . did you want me to?” he asked.

  She ignored his response. He didn’t blame her, since he sounded like a moron.

  Carefully, Sabrina patted her shiny curls. “How does my hair look?”

  Graeme had the sense he was staring at her like a dumb ox. She truly didn’t seem the least bit disconcerted by their passionate kiss.

  “Er, fine?”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re hopeless, Graeme Kendrick.”

  “You wouldn’t be the first Sassenach to make that observation.”

  “I am shocked to hear that.”

  With a sigh, he took her hand and led her back to the ballroom.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The dratted man was avoiding her again.

  Sabrina had thought they’d made excellent progress at the Caledonian Hunt Ball, when Graeme had literally swept her off her feet into the most thrilling moment of her life. His passionate kiss in that secluded alcove had muddled her insides and resolved all doubts.

  She was in love and wanted to spend the rest of her life with Graeme Kendrick.

  At the time, she’d thought it best to make light of that kiss instead of overwhelming him with an impetuous declaration of her feelings. Nor had she wished to raise a fuss about improper behavior—hers, for the most part. For a man who engaged in so reckless a profession as spying, Graeme had turned out to be a high stickler about kisses and such.

/>   In retrospect, she’d underplayed her hand. That he’d turned skittish again was now frustratingly clear. For the last few days, Graeme had managed to be where she was not, with annoying consistency.

  “Are you not enjoying the play, Lady Sabrina?” murmured Grant Kendrick.

  She’d been so lost in thought about the man who was driving her demented that she’d forgotten about the one sitting next to her in the Theatre Royal box. Ainsley and Royal were seated in front of them, watching the performance, while Angus was . . . Well, she didn’t know where the old fellow had gone off. Sabrina was so distracted by her mental meanderings that she’d not seen him leave.

  She dredged up a smile for Grant, who was so like his twin and yet not. “It’s an outstanding performance. Sir Walter has outdone himself.”

  The command performance of Rob Roy was one of the final engagements of the king’s visit. His Majesty was seated in the royal box with members of his entourage, including Lord and Lady Arnprior. Graeme was somewhere in the theater, too. Sabrina had caught a glimpse of him coming in, but he’d yet to join the rest of the Kendrick family in their box.

  That was discouraging, since the clock was ticking down. Soon, she would be leaving Edinburgh with the king.

  “I particularly liked that last scene,” Grant added. “What did you think of it?”

  Sabrina realized she couldn’t remember a single thing about any scene in the blasted play. “I’m forced to admit I haven’t been paying attention. How dreadful of me.”

  Grant’s smile was wry but kind. Physically, he and his brother were all but mirror images, and there was obviously a profound connection between them. They seemed to need no words to understand each other, sometimes exchanging looks that obviously contained entire conversations.

  But there were great differences, too. Grant was a gentle giant, quiet and kind. A peaceful sort of person, he seemed most content in the company of his family. Graeme, in contrast, had a restless energy often barely contained. Underneath that gentleman’s exterior lurked a Highlander warrior, fierce and dominating and even a wee bit uncivilized.

  If Sabrina had a brain in her head, she’d prefer the peaceful gentleman to the hard-bitten warrior. Sadly, it would appear she did not have much of a brain when it came to Graeme Kendrick.

  “You are the opposite of dreadful,” Grant replied. “It’s my stupid brother who’s dreadful for neglecting you.”

  “There’s absolutely no reason for Mr. Ken . . .” She trailed off when Grant raised a sardonic eyebrow.

  How mortifying. She’d done a splendid job of hiding her feelings from Graeme, but not from the rest of his family.

  “I’m his twin,” Grant explained. “I practically live in his head.”

  “That must be interesting.”

  He grinned. “It can be rather confusing at times. But I know exactly where he wishes to be at this very moment. And it’s where he should be, if he weren’t so pigheaded.”

  “No, it’s me,” Sabrina said with a sigh. “I annoy him.”

  Graeme seemed to bring out the worst in her—or the best. Honestly, she couldn’t decide which.

  “You do annoy him, but not for the reasons you think.”

  She gave Grant a quizzical smile.

  “He’s afraid of you,” Grant explained.

  Sabrina choked on a startled laugh. “That cannot be. I’m neither intimidating nor very special.”

  “You are very special, indeed, Lady Sabrina, and Graeme is painfully aware of that fact.”

  She tried to ignore the pleased fluttering behind her breastbone, as well as the conviction that this was a highly inappropriate conversation. Grant was Graeme’s brother—his twin, which made it even worse.

  Yet that also meant talking to Grant was the closest thing to talking to his brother. And since Graeme wouldn’t talk to her . . .

  “Mr. Kendrick’s actions don’t seem to reflect such an opinion,” she cautiously replied.

  “He doesn’t think he deserves you.”

  She blinked. “What an odd notion for him to take up. His brother is an earl, and the Kendricks are a distinguished family.”

  Grant raised an eyebrow. “Is it odd?”

  Sabrina couldn’t help scowling. “Your brother is a brave, kind, and incredibly decent man. Any woman with a grain of sense should realize that.”

  He nodded. “While I happen to think my brother deserves the world, he doesn’t see it that way.”

  “Why not?”

  “It has much to do with our family’s past.” Grant frowned. “And more recent events, I suspect, although I’m not entirely sure.”

  “I suppose you couldn’t give me a hint?”

  “It’s Graeme’s story to tell, I’m afraid.” Grant flashed her a wry grin. “I think with a wee bit of effort, you might be able to winkle it out of him.”

  “If only he would stay in one place so I could try,” she joked.

  “Och, he’s a hardhead, but don’t give up. Graeme may think he wants you to run up the flag and surrender, but he actually doesn’t.”

  “That’s a bit confusing.”

  “Welcome to life in Clan Kendrick.” Grant’s green gaze turned serious. “I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Graeme, my lady. It won’t take much for him to realize that. He just needs a little push.”

  “A very large shove, rather,” she said with a sigh. “At least one can’t accuse him of fortune hunting.”

  “No, Graeme doesn’t care about money.”

  “Unfortunately. Otherwise perhaps I could bribe him into marrying me.”

  When she clapped a hand over her mouth, appalled by her tactless remark, Grant laughed.

  Ainsley twisted around to smile at her brother-in-law. “Well, have you convinced her yet?”

  Grant waggled a hand.

  Sabrina grimaced. “Goodness, this is embarrassing.”

  “Embarrassing people is a Kendrick specialty,” Ainsley said.

  “So I have noticed.”

  “And I’ve noticed how difficult it is to watch this bloody play with you lot chattering like magpies,” Royal said.

  “This play is entirely silly,” Ainsley replied. “Besides, you’ve been eavesdropping, too.”

  “I leave that particular activity to you, my love.”

  “Only because you know I’ll share everything with you later.” Ainsley winked at Sabrina. “No secrets in this family, as you’ll soon find out.”

  Sabrina shrugged. “I don’t suppose I’ll have a chance to find out, since I’ll be returning to London with the king.”

  “Vicky and I both feel you should remain with us for the summer. That will give us plenty of time to mount a campaign. Graeme won’t stand a chance against our combined forces.”

  Did Sabrina say embarrassing? Utterly mortifying, more like it.

  She mustered the remaining shreds of her dignity. “You’re all so kind, but I cannot throw myself at a man who is not interested in me.”

  “Disinterest is not the issue,” Ainsley said. “I can assure you of that.”

  Assurances or not, Sabrina had her pride, and she refused to chase after a man who couldn’t make up his mind about her. “It doesn’t—”

  She broke off when Angus slipped in through the door. “We’ve got trouble,” he said.

  Royal leaned forward, peering in the direction of the royal box. “Is it the king?”

  “Is Vicky all right?” Ainsley asked quickly.

  “They’re all fine,” Angus said. “It’s Graeme.”

  Grant jumped up. “What’s wrong?”

  Angus handed Sabrina a note. “This came for the lass.”

  The messy blob of sealing wax on the back of the crinkled parchment was already broken.

  She flashed Angus an exasperated glance. “You read it?”

  He shrugged, clearly unrepentant.

  Irritation was replaced by horror as she scanned the cramped handwriting.

  “Aye, the lad’s been ki
dnapped,” said Angus.

  “My God,” Ainsley gasped.

  “By Old Bill.” Sabrina’s heart was racing so quickly it was hard to talk. “And he’s demanding a ransom.” She handed the note to Royal.

  “How did you get this?” Royal asked Angus.

  “I’d lost sight of Graeme. I was worried, so I went outside to the carriages to look for him. That’s when this scaly fella showed up. Said not to make a fuss or Graeme would get plumped. Said to bring the note to the lass.”

  Sabrina tried to think past the cold terror that had settled in her brain. She didn’t need to understand much cant to know what plump meant. If she didn’t pay the ransom, Graeme would be murdered.

  “I’m going to get Nick,” Royal said. “Then we’ll—”

  “No,” Sabrina snapped. “It clearly states that I’m to bring the money to the Wee Black Dog, and I’m to come alone. I’m to do so within the next hour, or the consequences will be . . .” Her throat closed.

  Ainsley rested a hand on her shoulder. “Kendricks are exceedingly hard to kill, pet. We’ll figure it out.”

  “The Wee Black Dog’s not far from here,” Grant said in a low voice. Fortunately, the noise from the stage was loud enough to cover their fraught conversation. “If we get Nick, and the footmen from the carriage—”

  Sabrina chopped down a hand to stop him. “The note is very clear. No raising the alarm. I will not endanger your brother’s life.”

  Grant shoved a frustrated hand through his hair, making it stand straight up. He looked so much like his twin that Sabrina wanted to burst into tears. This was her fault. Graeme had been right about Old Bill all—

  You can blame yourself later.

  “You all need to trust me,” she firmly said.

  “We do,” Ainsley said. “But Graeme will kill us if we just let you waltz into danger.”

  “The decision isn’t up to him.”

  Royal let out a low curse. “If you want to pay the ransom, let me go instead.”

  “Dinna think that’ll work,” Angus said. “Old Bill’s fashed that Sabrina took away his best rum diver, so he wants to lord it over the lassie for getting a jump on him. No tellin’ what he’ll do to Graeme if we don’t do as the bastard says.”

  “Splendid,” growled Royal. “Nothing like a spot of revenge to keep everything orderly.”