The Highlander's Princess Bride

by Vanessa Kelly

  Nick leaned back in his chair, enjoying their banter. Soon, he’d share that same sort of pleasing intimacy with Victoria. He would always feel sadness over Janet’s unhappy life and death and would never fully recover from the loss of Cam. But, for the first time in years, he’d regained something he’d thought lost to him forever.

  He’d regained a sense of hope.

  “So, Arnprior,” Alec said. “When do you and Victoria tie the knot?”

  “We haven’t really had a chance to discuss our plans.”

  Victoria had been like a whirlwind the last few days. When she hadn’t been writing a stream of letters, she’d been getting the family organized for the move back to Kinglas. Nick had barely gotten ten minutes alone with her, and when he had, he hadn’t wasted those precious moments on wedding plans.

  “I’m sure Victoria would like some of her family to attend,” he added. “So it will take a little planning.”

  “Which family?” Alec jested. “She has several of them.”

  “That’s an excellent, if rather alarming, point. We’ll have to—” He broke off when his butler entered the room. Henderson had an excellent game face, but Nick had known the fellow for a long time. Something was wrong.

  Henderson bent over his chair. “My lord, you have a visitor.”

  “At this time of night? Who is it?”

  “He didn’t wish to give his name, sir, but said it was a matter of urgency.”

  Nick snorted. “If he won’t give his name, I have no intention of abandoning my guests. Tell him to return tomorrow.”

  A slight spasm crossed his butler’s face. “I suggested that, my lord. He said to tell you that if you wouldn’t see him tonight, he would return tomorrow with a constable.”

  “Really,” Nick muttered.

  “One of your brothers?” Alec asked.

  “Probably.” Nick threw down his serviette. “Please bring him to my study, Henderson.”

  The butler bowed and retreated.

  “What’s up, Nick?” Grant asked.

  “I don’t know. But if one of you lads got into trouble again, there will be hell—”

  Victoria raised her eyebrows.

  “There will be consequences,” Nick amended. When the twins and Royal exchanged furtive glances, he wanted to curse. He just hoped that whatever transgression it was, it wouldn’t poke holes in his purse.

  “Do you want me to go with you?” Alec asked.

  Nick stood. “Not necessary, but thank you. Stay here and finish your dinner. And try to keep my blasted brothers from sneaking off.” He managed a brief smile for Victoria, who wrinkled her nose in sympathy.

  Henderson waited outside Nick’s study, looking grim. The butler had excellent instincts, so his demeanor didn’t bode well.

  A tall, slightly stoop-shouldered man waited inside the room, huddled against the fireplace seeking warmth. He looked to be in his late sixties, with a complexion that spoke of the pox or a life spent in harsh climes. Although not in evening kit, his tailoring was excellent and his proud manner suggested a man of consequence. He was certainly not an aggrieved farmer or publican seeking restitution for a foolish lark committed by one of his brothers.

  “Are you Lord Arnprior?” the man barked, stepping forward. His flat vowels and the sharp edge to his voice suggested a self-made man.

  His attitude radiated hostility.

  “I am,” Nick replied in a cold tone. “Perhaps you can finally identify yourself and say why you felt the need to interrupt my dinner.”

  “I am Mr. Richard Fletcher. My daughter is Lady Welgate.”

  When Nick frowned, the man’s tight mouth parted in a smile that looked more like a sneer.

  “Since you recognize my daughter’s name,” he said, “you might now guess why I am here. Whether intentionally or not, my lord, you are sheltering a murderess in your household. And I demand that you immediately turn Miss Knight over to me—and to the proper authorities.”

  * * *

  After the whirlwind of the last few days, Victoria should have been exhausted. Instead, she felt like champagne was fizzing through her veins. Every time she snuck a glance at her ring—approximately every minute—she could barely sit still. Her happiness was so effervescent, it seemed almost impossible to contain within her own body.

  A body, she might add, that now craved her lover’s touch. She’d never imagined that sexual relations could be so stimulating or so intensely emotional. If she’d imagined herself in love with the Laird of Arnprior before, it couldn’t compare to what she felt for him now that she’d finally said yes.

  He’d taken her with a sensuality she would never forget, and cherished her with a tenderness that lit up her soul.

  “Lassie, yer lookin’ flushed,” Angus said. “Are ye feeling poorly?”

  How embarrassing to be caught dreaming of Nicholas while sitting at dinner. “I’m simply a bit concerned about what called his lordship away,” she said. “I do hope nothing’s wrong.”

  “Och, dinna fash yourself. I’m sure everything’s fine.”

  Victoria studied the old man’s suspiciously angelic expression. That was normally a sign of trouble.

  “I hope we get away in good time tomorrow,” Kade said. “I miss Kinglas.”

  “Oh, I’m sure we’ll get away very early,” Graeme said.

  When Grant smothered a laugh, Victoria narrowed her gaze on the twins.

  “Stow it, Graeme,” Royal said with a warning glower.

  She mentally sighed. They were definitely hatching some scheme. Maybe that was why Nicholas was called away.

  “Ye miss Kinglas, laddie? Well, that’s grand to hear,” Angus said brightly. “We’ll make a Highlander of ye yet.”

  Kade rolled his eyes. “Grandda, I am a Highlander, born and raised.”

  “Aye, that ye are,” Angus said, bobbing his head like a partridge.

  “What is going on here?” Victoria asked the old man in a low voice.

  Angus widened his eyes in a dreadful imitation of innocence. “Why, nothin’, lass. Yer a tad jumpy tonight, I ken.”

  “I am not—”

  She broke off when the butler came into the room. “His lordship wishes to see you in his study, Miss Knight. And Captain Gilbride, as well.”

  That gave her a slight jolt.

  “Did he say why?” Alec asked.

  “No, sir. He just asked that you join him in the study without delay.”

  Victoria’s nerves tightened another notch. If this were about the twins or Royal, why would Nicholas wish to see Alec?

  She shivered, chilly for the first time all day. The first stirrings of fear attached to her, as if someone had hooked a narrow chain around her ankle.

  Kade touched her arm. “Victoria, is something wrong?”

  She mustered a smile. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “It doesn’t sound like nothing,” Royal said.

  “Then I suggest we find out what it’s all about.” Alec stood and gave Victoria a reassuring smile. “Come along, lass.”

  Feeling the chain tighten, Victoria forced herself to her feet.

  “I’m coming as well,” Edie said.

  Victoria waved her off. “No, please stay here and keep an eye on things. We’ll be back soon.”

  Edie grimaced. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” If Nicholas had wanted anyone else present, he would have specified.

  “Any clue what this is about?” Alec murmured as he escorted her downstairs.

  “I thought one of the boys, but . . .”

  He stopped her at the bottom and braced his hands on her shoulders. “Whatever it is, you’re not to worry. I’ll protect you, and so will Nick.”

  “Thank you.”

  She prayed he was correct. If this was about Fletcher, she had no idea how Nicholas would react. She wanted to kick herself for not telling him everything days ago.

  Henderson opened the door to announce them. “Miss Knight and Captain Gilbride, sir.�
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  Victoria preceded Alec across the threshold but almost immediately stumbled to a halt when she saw who stood by the fireplace. Though Alec bumped into her, she hardly felt it.

  Fletcher gazed at her with so much fury and loathing it was a wonder she didn’t immolate on the spot. “You thought you could hide from me, Miss Knight. And hide your heinous crimes from the rest of the world.”

  “Please refrain from such dramatic pronouncements, Mr. Fletcher,” Nicholas said in a cold tone. “Come in, Miss Knight.”

  Shaking away the sensation that a viper’s gaze had paralyzed her, she looked at her fiancé, and her heart promptly took a dive. Nicholas looked very much like the remote, unwelcoming man she’d met that first day at Kinglas. Of course, he’d be angry. She’d lied to him, to the man she loved, the man who had shared all his dark secrets with her.

  She knew that to him, such a betrayal was the worst of sins.

  “Come along, lass,” Alec murmured. “Don’t be worried. I’m right here.”

  She cast him a lopsided smile over her shoulder, then headed for the chair in front of Nicholas’s desk. She sank down on the cool leather seat and smoothed shaking hands over her skirts.

  “What’s going on here, Arnprior?” Alec asked, taking up position behind her.

  Nick sank heavily into the desk chair, as if a terrible weariness dragged on his bones. “I suspect you already know something of why Mr. Fletcher is here.”

  “Perhaps, but I’d like to hear it firsthand from your visitor.” Alec put up a warning hand as Fletcher opened his mouth to speak. “But let me be clear that Miss Knight is under my protection. Nothing will happen to her that does not meet with my approval.”

  “She’s under my protection too, Gilbride. And if you’d bloody well told me about this, I could have done a better job of managing it.” Nicholas threw a disgusted glance at Fletcher. “Instead of having this man issuing threats.”

  “I’m simply demanding justice for my murdered son,” Fletcher said. “You’ve all done your best to hide the jade away, so no one could find her.”

  Nicholas leaned forward, his gaze menacing. “I’ve warned you, Mr. Fletcher. If you continue to address anyone in my household in such terms, I will throw you out to the street.”

  Fletcher clamped his lips shut and fumed. Obviously, he’d already said a great deal about her character. This was exactly what she’d feared—when she’d finally have the chance to defend herself, it would be too late. In the eyes of the world, only a guilty person didn’t stay and fight. Only a guilty person ran away and hid.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said to the earl. “I wish I’d told you.”

  “She was under strict instructions from Sir Dominic and her brother to remain silent on the matter until it was completely resolved,” said Alec before Nicholas could respond. “I also counseled her to do the same.”

  Fletcher sneered. “You were all trying to hide her away, but I hired an inquiry agent to track her down. It wasn’t all that hard to find her.”

  “Because we weren’t hiding her away,” Alec growled. “We wanted her out of town to allow the gossip to die down. Such gossip, by the way, would do nothing for your son’s reputation or the reputation of your family if the truth got out.”

  Nick fastened a hard stare on Alec. “It would appear that plan was rather flawed.”

  Alec shook his head, exasperated. “Obviously, but Dominic had the matter in hand when Victoria left London.”

  “Even the great Sir Dominic cannot shove a murder under the rug,” Fletcher said contemptuously.

  “She did not murder your son,” Alec said. “Your son assaulted her, and she defended herself.”

  “That’s a lie,” Fletcher shouted. “She’s a whore who tried to seduce my poor boy. When he wouldn’t marry her, she murdered him in cold blood. I have the evidence to prove it.”

  When bile rose in her throat, Victoria pressed a hand to her mouth. Lady Welgate had flung out the same accusations the night her brother died, but she’d put them down to grief and shock, thinking no sane person could believe that was what happened.

  It would appear she’d been wrong.

  “Fletcher, if you say another word without my permission, you will live to regret it.” Nicholas pointed to the settee by the bow window. “Sit down over there and get control over yourself. If you cannot, Captain Gilbride will escort you out to the street.”

  “I’ll happily do it this moment,” Alec said.

  Fletcher’s face mottled with anger, but he gave a stiff nod.

  “Thank you.” Nicholas transferred his cool regard to Victoria. “I do not wish to unduly distress you, Victoria, but I need you to explain why Mr. Fletcher would make such a serious allegation. He’s been exceedingly vague about the circumstances of his son’s death.”

  She swallowed, her throat so dry she could barely speak. “Very well.”

  “Just tell me the basics of what happened that night,” he said.

  “First, let me say how sorry I am that you’ve been troubled by this awful situation,” she said. “And, again, how sorry I am that I didn’t tell you.”

  “That decision was not your fault, Victoria,” Alec said sharply.

  She held Arnprior’s gaze. It seemed difficult to believe this was the same man who’d held her in his arms only a few nights ago, kissing her into ecstasy.

  “I should have told him,” she said to Alec. “And I regret that secrecy more than I can say.”

  When Fletcher loudly snorted, Nicholas sent another warning glance his way, then looked back at her. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  His polite reply killed her last bit of hope. Nicholas would never forgive her, nor could he truly protect her, since she would never be his wife. All her hopes now rested with Dominic, Alec, and her brother.

  “I told you about some of the problems I experienced in my previous position.” She related the details of that dreadful night, trying to distance herself from the memories as much as possible. When she described Thomas Fletcher’s attack on her, Nicholas looked stunned. Then his gaze heated with stark fury as it fastened on Mr. Fletcher.

  “That’s not what happened,” the man protested. “She’s lying.”

  “Shut it, man,” Alec growled at him, “or I’ll shut it for you.”

  “Victoria, I am exceedingly sorry that you were forced to endure such violence,” Nicholas said quietly as he returned his focus to her. “It’s appalling.”

  Her chest was so tight she could barely draw in a breath. “Thank . . . thank you, sir. Shall I continue?”

  “If you feel able to.”

  As sparingly as she could, she explained the horrible aftermath of Fletcher’s fall down the stairs. Alec then took up the narrative, describing Dominic’s actions and the magistrate’s decision not to open an inquiry or press charges.

  “He declared the death accidental,” Alec said. “To spare both Victoria and the man’s family.”

  “The magistrate no longer believes that,” Fletcher said hotly. “There’s a witness willing to testify that Miss Knight was trying to seduce my son with the intention of forcing him into marriage.”

  Victoria knew it had to be the nursery maid, the one who disliked her from the beginning.

  “Bollocks,” Alec said.

  “I agree,” Nicholas said. “Miss Knight’s conduct has always been above reproach.”

  Fletcher sneered. “Forgive me for saying so, but she appears to have duped you. You are betrothed to the woman, are you not?”

  Something that flickered in the earl’s gaze made Victoria’s heart crumble to ash.

  “The situation is not at all similar,” Nicholas finally said. “In any event, I do not believe that she murdered anyone.”

  “I doubt the magistrate in London will agree with you,” Fletcher said. “I will also add that I have been in touch with the Glasgow Justiciary. It would be best if Miss Knight comes with me now and turns herself over to the authorities.”

/>   Victoria had to grab the arms of her chair as the room swam before her eyes.

  “Forget it,” Alec said. “That will never happen.”

  “Miss Knight will not be setting foot outside Kendrick House, I assure you,” Nicholas said, after glancing at Victoria with concern.

  “You’re just delaying the inevitable,” Fletcher retorted.

  “That may be, but while she is under my roof, she is under my protection.”

  “She’s under my protection whether she’s under your roof or not,” Alec said, flinging it at Nicholas like a challenge. Then he glared at Fletcher. “Do you have any idea what you’re stirring up, man? Do you have any idea who Victoria Knight actually is?”

  Victoria gasped. “Alec, no.” That was the last thing she needed—giving ammunition to the enemy.

  “He needs to know who he’s dealing with,” Alec said.

  “Gilbride, don’t do it,” Nicholas said in a warning voice.

  “I don’t care who she is,” Fletcher snapped. “She’ll be swinging from the gallows when I’m through with her.”

  Alec swarmed to his feet and took a menacing stance. Fletcher also stood, looking not the least bit intimidated. Victoria supposed that his rage and his need for vengeance supplied its own kind of courage.

  “She’s the natural daughter of the bloody Prince Regent, you fool. She will never hang,” Alec growled.

  “Christ.” Nicholas scrubbed a weary hand back through his hair. “That was not a helpful intervention, Alasdair.”

  “Someone’s got to defend the poor girl, since you’re doing such a piss-poor job of it,” Alec retorted.

  Victoria jumped up and grabbed her cousin’s arm, shaking it. “Alec, please stop.”

  “Listen, Victoria—”

  “No,” she said firmly.

  When Alec rolled his eyes and grumbled his reluctant agreement, she turned to Fletcher, whose pale gaze was filled with astonishment and dismay. Not for a moment, however, did she believe the news would knock him off course for long.

  “Sir, I am truly sorry for your loss,” she said. “More than you can know. But I did not kill . . .”

  The man’s face turned an alarming shade of red.

  “I did not murder your son,” she corrected. “I defended myself from his assault, and I’m more than ready to testify to that fact when appropriate.”