The Highlander's Princess Bride

by Vanessa Kelly

  He strolled around the table to her side. “I don’t need tea. I just need you.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “I’m not sure what that means.”

  Taking her determined little chin in his hand, he tilted it up. “It means I’d like to kiss you.”

  Her lovely lips parted on a gasp, but she simply stared at him. Then, as he slowly lowered his head, she blinked a few times, and one of her hands came to rest on his chest.

  “I don’t think—” she started.

  “Exactly, don’t think.”

  He slid his arms around her back. She trembled but didn’t resist the embrace. Instead, her other hand joined the first to rest on his waistcoat. Nick huffed out a small, triumphant chuckle just before their lips met.

  “Oh, dear!” She flattened her hands and pushed back.

  He loosened his grip. “What’s wrong?”

  Victoria crinkled her nose with evident distaste. “I don’t like to criticize, my lord . . .”

  “Yes?”

  “It’s your breath. It’s quite . . . gruesome.”

  He sighed and let her go. “Sorry about that. I seem to have forgotten the basics when it comes to courting a lady.”

  She scooted around to the other side of the table. “Sir, there is absolutely no need to court me.”

  He smiled. “Good. Then we’ll marry as soon as possible?”

  Her eyes widened with shock. “Really, Lord Arnprior, this is entirely unnecessary, as I told your brother last night.”

  “And also Angus and Taffy,” he helpfully supplied.

  She winced. “Yes.”

  “That’s three people who caught us in a compromising position. And despite my best efforts to quell any gossip—”

  “You obviously just woke up,” she said with disbelief.

  “—I fear Angus has not exercised the same discretion we would,” he finished, trying to sound regretful.

  “But I made it very clear to Mr. MacDonald that I would depend upon his discretion.”

  “Angus, discreet?” Nick couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

  She glared at him. “Sir, I was not compromised. You were feeling . . . unwell, and I was simply trying to . . . to support you.”

  “By kissing me, and then rolling about on the floor with me?”

  “We weren’t rolling,” she snapped.

  “I stand corrected. But I was lying on top of you with my head cushioned on your, er, chest.” He could still recall how delightful her breasts had felt under his cheek.

  A fiery blush climbed up her neck. “That particular posture was an accident, as were the kisses.”

  “A very enjoyable accident, I must say.”

  “They were not meant to happen,” she said hotly.

  Something unpleasant congealed in the pit of his stomach. “Are you saying I forced myself on you?” He’d shoot himself if that were the case.

  “No, of course not!” she exclaimed. “I know you would never take advantage of me, or any woman.”

  His gut unclenched. “Then you’re saying that you willingly returned my caresses? That I did not force myself on you.”

  She looked like she was chewing on her words. “That is correct, sir.”

  He spread his hands wide. “Then, my dear, I see no other option but for us to marry. You are a lady, and gentlemen don’t take advantage of ladies.”

  “Again, you did not take advantage of me,” she said in a frustrated tone. “And I’m not a lady. I’m a governess, entirely able to support myself without you making such an unnecessary sacrifice.”

  “You won’t be a governess for much longer if this gets out. And it will get out.”

  Nick was quite certain of that. He wouldn’t be surprised if Angus was right this minute blabbing to the tenant farmers and anyone who would listen that the laird was to marry Kade’s Sassenach governess.

  She sucked in a slow breath. “Then I will leave my position today, Lord Arnprior, before there is opportunity for gossip to spread.”

  His heart jolted, but he forced himself not to overreact. “Such a sudden departure will have the opposite effect, my dear.”

  “Sir—”

  “And what about Kade? You don’t wish to leave him, do you?”

  “Of course not,” she said. “I’m exceedingly fond of him.”

  “And do you wish to leave me?” he asked casually.

  She grimaced. “That . . . that is hardly the point, my lord. You cannot wish to marry someone like me.” She seemed genuinely shocked by the notion, as if he should be revolted by the very idea of marriage to her.

  “You’re right—I don’t wish to marry someone like you,” he said quietly.

  Hurt darkened her pretty blue eyes, and her mouth twitched a wee bit. Then she steadied herself and nodded. “Of course not.”

  “I wish to marry you. Specifically,” he added, just to make it clear.

  She looked so perplexed he could almost imagine he was speaking in tongues and that neither of them had received enlightenment.

  Then her chin went up in a stubborn tilt. “As I said, that will not be necessary.”

  His headache was starting to worm its way back into his brain. Perhaps it was time to take a different tack. “It is entirely necessary if you don’t wish to see me ruthlessly maimed and then murdered.”

  She crinkled her brow. “Sorry?”

  “What do you think will happen when Sir Dominic and Alec hear what happened between us? And, trust me, they will.” He would tell them himself, if he had to.

  Victoria sank down into a chair. “Oh, God, this is a disaster.” She flicked him a scowl. “One of your making, I might add.”

  He raised a skeptical eyebrow.

  “All right,” she huffed. “Mostly of your making. I did kiss you back.”

  “You did. But rather than a disaster, I see this as an opportunity—for all of us.”

  She crossed her arms. “Oh, really?”

  “I get a wife, you get an earl, and we set a grand example for my brothers. If I marry such a kind, thoroughly good woman, it should encourage them to do the same.”

  “We should get married to encourage your brothers?”

  He winced at her sharp tone. “The most important reason is that I refuse to see you harmed in any way by my actions.”

  She leaned forward and rested her forehead in her palms.

  “Victoria, do I repulse you?” he asked gently.

  “You know you don’t,” she said, looking up.

  “Do I frighten you in any way?”

  “I told you last night that you do not frighten me.”

  “Excellent. Then perhaps you might like me a little bit, after all?”

  She sighed. “Again, not the point.”

  “Then what is the point?”

  “I am neither gently bred nor a lady.”

  He frowned down at her. “Of course you are.”

  “Would you please sit? I’m getting a crick in my neck staring up at you.”

  He bit back a smile and took the seat opposite her. “Now, tell me why you don’t think you’re a lady.”

  “Because I was born illegitimate.” The words came out in a rush.

  He suddenly felt muddle-headed again. “I don’t understand. You said you were raised by your parents in your grandfather’s coaching inn.”

  “No, I was raised by my mother. Barely,” she muttered.

  “Yes, but you said you lost your father at an early age.”

  She waggled a hand. “He was never part of my life, but he didn’t die.”

  He drummed his fingers on the table. “I don’t like being lied to, Victoria.”

  “I’m sorry for doing so,” she said. “But it’s not a point one wishes to advertise, especially as a governess.”

  He noted her worried expression and the hands tightly clenched on the tabletop. “I can imagine how that would be an impediment. But you were raised in a respectable household, were you not?”

  She nodded. “I can vouch
for the good character of my aunts and uncles. They’re very well regarded in Brighton, as was my grandfather.”

  After a moment’s consideration, he shrugged. “Then unless your father is a murderer, a brigand, or a highwayman, I fail to see the problem.”

  When she blanched, his muscles seemed to tighten all at once. “Please tell me your father is none of those things.”

  “He’s not.”

  Nick’s patience started to run out. “Then what?”

  She hesitated. “Must you insist?”

  “Yes!”

  Victoria scowled back at him. “There’s no need to bark at me.”

  “Clearly there is, since your delicacy is making this conversation ridiculously convoluted.”

  “Oh, very well. If you must know, I’m the natural daughter of His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent.”

  He nearly fell out of his chair. “You’re what?”

  “You heard me. The Prince Regent had a brief affair with my mother when he was first staying in Brighton. I was the result,” she finished sarcastically.

  He stared at her, taking in her fiery blush and her defiant but touching glare. Something bubbled inside his chest, fizzy and hilarious. The poor lass thought that being the by-blow of a prince—the next king, for God’s sake—would put him off.

  “Say something,” she said tersely.

  “I—” Nick pressed a hand to his lips.

  She eyed him with distaste. “My lord, perhaps you now understand how unsuitable I am to be your wife, and why it’s better that I leave your employ as soon as possible. I only ask that you not penalize me for something that was beyond my control, and hope you will be generous enough to write a recommendation based on my teaching skills and work, not my unfortunate background.”

  Her absurd little speech did it. Nick burst out laughing, doubling over to clutch his stomach. When he finally caught his breath, he looked up to meet Victoria’s best governess glare. That, unfortunately, only sent him off again.

  “Lord Arnprior, I don’t know how you can find any of this amusing,” she said in freezing tones.

  Nick sucked in a breath and wiped his eyes. “Sir Dominic is aware of your parental history, I’m sure.”

  “Yes, and you’re not to hold it against him for not telling you. He was only trying to protect me.”

  “I won’t. And so you’re also cousin to Alec Gilbride.”

  “Again, that is correct, although I didn’t know that until just before I came to Kinglas.”

  “That cheeky bastard. How dare he not tell me?” Nick laughed again. The entire thing was so gloriously ridiculous. His prim, proper governess was the daughter of one of the biggest scoundrels in England’s history.

  Of course, that also meant she had the bluest of blood running through her veins.

  “I truly don’t know why you’re laughing,” she said grumpily.

  “Because it’s sweet but utterly silly that you believed I would hold such a thing against you. Love, you do realize that many royal by-blows marry exceedingly well, and often have titles conferred upon them.”

  She’d blushed, probably at his term of endearment. “Yes, but they’re men, for one thing.”

  “Not all. There’s the Duchess of Leverton. She’s the Duke of Cumberland’s daughter.”

  She pushed her lower lip out, as if thinking. Nick had to resist the urge to lean over and nip it.

  “True, but the duchess comes from a very good family to begin with,” she said. “I do not.”

  “Your family is entirely respectable, Victoria—hard-working and prosperous by your own account. They pose no impediment whatsoever, as far as I’m concerned.”

  He got up and moved around to her side of the table, settling into the seat next to her. When he took her hand, she swallowed nervously but didn’t pull away.

  “I know the circumstances are not ideal,” he said gently. “But you would do me a great honor if you would consent to be my wife.”

  “Far from ideal,” she protested, even as she tightly clung to his hand. “You’re an earl, and I’m—”

  “The daughter of the Prince Regent.”

  “The daughter of a barmaid. And I’m also an entirely ordinary governess.”

  “You’re not ordinary in the least. And I can tell you unequivocally that I would be delighted to be your husband.” Every moment that passed made him more certain of that simple fact.

  She seemed to waver, but then pulled her hand away. “It’s very kind of you, my lord, but you have done me no wrong. There is absolutely no need for you to feel obliged to marry me.”

  The woman was both exceedingly principled and insanely stubborn.

  “I suspect your father would not agree.” He scrubbed a hand thoughtfully over his chin. “Nor would Sir Dominic. Unless we marry, he’ll shoot me when he finds out what we’ve done.”

  “I . . . I . . .” she stammered.

  He snapped his fingers. “Hang on. I’ll write to your father and ask his opinion in the matter.”

  She gaped at him. “The Regent?”

  “It is commonly accepted to ask a father for permission to marry his daughter, is it not?”

  She quickly realized he was twitting her. “Now, see here,” she started, waving a finger at him.

  He gently grasped her hand. “You know I’m just teasing, sweet lass. No need to fall into a tizzy.”

  Nick couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so much fun. Considering his black state of mind only last night, she was a bloody miracle worker.

  When he gently cupped her cheek, the remaining fight seemed to go out of her.

  “I . . . I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.

  “Say yes,” he whispered back.

  She swayed toward him, as if about to do just that, when the door flew open. Victoria jerked away as the twins charged into the room.

  “Is it true?” Graeme asked. “Are you going to marry Miss Knight?”

  Nick gritted his teeth. “Your grandfather told you?”

  “Yes,” said Grant, smiling at Victoria. “You should say yes, miss. Nick is a splendid chap, really. And if you marry him, then you’ll be our sister, and you’ll have even more time to teach us how to be gentlemen and find proper wives.”

  She gave the twins a horrified look before turning her gaze back on Nick. He was tempted to curse, but instead he spread his hands in a placating gesture.

  “Really, how can you say no to such a tempting offer?” he asked.

  She seemed to struggle with herself for a moment. “You’re demented, all of you,” she finally said.

  Then she got up and stalked from the room.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Accepting Lord Arnprior’s proposal is certainly the most sensible thing to do,” said Edie Gilbride as she plucked a lobster patty from the plate in front of her. “And if Sir Dominic believes it’s for the best, you might as well get on with it.”

  Victoria put her teacup down with a decided click. “Perhaps, but it’s not his decision to make, is it?”

  She was still annoyed with Arnprior for writing to Dominic, asking permission to court her. Her mentor had agreed with alacrity, as had Victoria’s brother, Aden. Why they thought it was any of their business was a mystery to her, and she’d made that clear to them in tartly worded letters. Her missives, however, had been met with deafening silence.

  “Alec thinks it a splendid idea too,” Edie said, “and he has a nose for matchmaking. He knew we were going to end up together even when I still believed he was a dolt.”

  Victoria shook her head. “Men. They always stick up for each other. By the way, where is your dear husband?”

  Edie perused the elegant supper room, where they’d managed to secure one of the larger tables in a spot behind a few potted ferns. Graeme and Grant were intently engaged in conversation with two young dancing partners, while Victoria and Edie awaited the appearance of the rest of their party.

  “I expect he’s still at the Tont
ine Coffee Room, droning on with his business partners,” Edie said. “He’d better get here soon, though, or we’ll miss the dancing.”

  “He’s a dimwit for talking about business when he could be dancing with you.”

  Edie laughed. “I agree, but I’m happy we’ve had the opportunity to have a quiet chat about your situation.”

  Alec and Edie, ensconced in Glasgow for much of December, were throwing a grand Hogmanay ball on New Year’s Eve and had invited the Kendricks. That sudden invitation had apparently been the only excuse Arnprior needed to whisk them all to the city, two days after his stunning marriage proposal. They were now in their second week at Kendrick House, and Victoria felt like she was still catching her breath from the whirlwind of activity.

  She also felt curiously vulnerable.

  Kendrick House was a gracious mansion with every convenience, and the staff already displayed a tendency to treat her as the lady of the manor. But that only increased her sense that she was somehow tempting fate by taking up such public residence in Glasgow. For all the problems at Kinglas, she’d felt safe and happy in that drafty old castle in its quiet glen.

  “Speaking of husbands, where is Arnprior, anyway?” Edie asked.

  Victoria glanced at the twins, seated close enough to eavesdrop, and gave her friend a warning grimace.

  Edie chuckled. “Dearest, everyone knows Arnprior is courting you, especially his family.”

  “Yes, but I don’t want them to assume I’m going to say yes.”

  “Playing hard to get, are we?” Edie winked at her. “I did that with Alec—unintentionally, I must admit—and it had a splendid effect on him.”

  “I’m not playing . . . oh, never mind.”

  For the last ten days, she and Arnprior had been at a stalemate. He was acting as if they were already betrothed, and she was steadfastly maintaining they weren’t. So far, though, she was convincing no one. In fact, the entire family seemed thrilled, and their enthusiasm made it awfully hard to keep her distance. Of course, her foolish heart urged capitulation as well.

  Despite her reluctance, she was falling more in love with her handsome, mysterious laird every day. And yet so many obstacles stood between them.

  Edie briefly pressed Victoria’s hand. “I’m teasing. I know how tricky these situations can be. But you shouldn’t doubt that Arnprior is devoted to you. All of us see that.”