The Highlander's Princess Bride

by Vanessa Kelly

  She gazed up at him, her gorgeous blue eyes bloodshot and shimmering with tears. Her nose was red and her skin was splotchy, but she looked more beautiful than ever.

  “Do you promise?” she asked.

  “I promise.” Then he took her lips in a hot, openmouthed kiss that poured forth all the pent-up fear, relief, and love in his soul. If Nick had his way, they would never be parted again.

  “Bloody good to see you, Arnprior,” Alec said as he joined them in the road.

  Nick reluctantly let Victoria slide to the ground but kept a firm hold around her waist. Not that he needed to. She clung to him like moss to a rock.

  “You look like hell,” Nick said.

  Blood trickled down from under Alec’s mussed hairline and a nasty bruise was starting to form around his eye. His greatcoat was covered in dirt, and his cravat was missing.

  Alec just let out a sardonic snort.

  “Is everyone all right?” Nick asked.

  “Sergeant Blair took a bullet to the upper arm, but it was through and through so he should be fine.”

  “I suppose they got the jump on you,” Nick said.

  “I’ll never live it down,” Alec said. “The bastards caught us by complete surprise.”

  Nick glanced down at Victoria and his heart jerked. He touched her hairline. “Are you hurt?”

  “The blood isn’t mine.” She paused, looking ill for a moment. “It’s Fletcher’s.”

  “Is he dead?”

  She nodded. “He won’t be bothering us again.”

  “Good.” His only regret was that he hadn’t been the one to do it.

  “I can’t help but feel the same,” she said, “even though I know it’s wrong to wish anyone dead. The poor man had gone mad with grief.”

  “He was going to shoot you, Victoria,” Alec said.

  Just thinking about what could have happened to her made Nick’s gut clench. He pulled her closer, cuddling her to his side. “You killed him?” he asked Alec.

  “No. You have someone else to thank for saving Victoria’s life.”

  As he spoke, Logan appeared from behind the carriage, wiping his hands on a cloth. Everything inside Nick slammed to a halt.

  “Logan?”

  Victoria curled her gloved fingers into the collar of Nick’s coat. “I would be dead if not for him. He arrived literally in the nick of time.”

  Logan casually tossed the bloodstained cloth into the open carriage boot and strolled over to join them. “I’ve patched the sergeant’s wound, but we should get him loaded up and on to Arrochar as soon as the coachman finishes with that wheel.”

  “How in God’s name did you get mixed up in this?” Nick peered more closely at him. “And why are you dressed in your nightshirt?”

  His brother looked like he’d just rolled out of bed. His nightshirt was stuffed into his breeches and topped with a ratty old coat that probably belonged to Tommy. He clearly hadn’t shaved in days, and his hair was sticking out in different directions. If a stranger had come along, they would think Logan was the villain, not the hero.

  “I was dead to the world when Tommy woke me up and told me something was afoot.” Logan gave Victoria an apologetic smile and scratched his bristled chin. “I might have overindulged last night, so I was a wee bit thickheaded.”

  “After today you can overindulge as much as you like and I will never offer a word of criticism,” she said.

  “So, you still didn’t leave when I told you to,” said Nick. “Why is that?”

  Logan met his gaze with an impassive look that didn’t fool Nick one bit. His brother was as nervous as a virgin on her wedding night. “I suppose I wasn’t ready to say good-bye to Kinglas,” he finally said.

  “Thank God,” Victoria said fervently. She looked up at Nick and tugged on his collar.

  “Yes, thank God,” he said. “You say Tommy knew something was wrong?”

  “Aye, he’d been sitting in front of the cottage smoking his pipe when he spied the carriage going to Kinglas this morning and then you subsequently riding past like a madman. When the carriage came out again, heading toward Arrochar, he rousted me from bed. Said something didn’t feel right, especially with the laird riding out like a demon, as he put it.”

  “So, you just decided to take a little ride and see what was happening?” Nick asked skeptically. “Dressed in your nightshirt?”

  Logan shrugged his massive shoulders. “Not like I have anything else to do at the moment.”

  Except run a massively successful trading company, as Nick well knew.

  “And there was the sound of that pistol shot,” Logan added. “That rather clinched the deal. Tommy and I arrived to find Gilbride facedown in the dirt, and some nasty buggers holding everyone else hostage.” He jerked his head toward the coach. “We’ve got them tied up behind the carriage, by the way. The constable is keeping an eye on them.”

  “Where was Victoria when this was going on?” Nick asked.

  “I was dragged into the woods, to where Fletcher was waiting for me.” She squeaked. “I’m fine, sir. Truly.”

  He grimaced and loosened his suddenly tight hold. “Sorry, love. What happened next?”

  “Mr. Fletcher couldn’t bear the idea that I might not be convicted, so he said he decided to take justice into his own hands.” She paused, as if collecting herself, then mustered a smile. “Fortunately, Mr. Kendrick came charging out of the woods just in time, pistols blazing. He was absolutely heroic.”

  Logan snorted. “Yes, that’s me all over.”

  “You are heroic,” Victoria said earnestly, touching his arm. “I will be eternally grateful to you.”

  When Logan gave her that warm, charming smile of his, Nick did his best not to scowl. Apparently, he failed, since his brother glared at him.

  “Stop being an idiot,” Logan said. “She’s mad about you.”

  Victoria patted Nick’s chest. “Of course I am, even when you’re acting like an idiot. But, sir, how did you know to come back for us? We didn’t expect to see you until Glasgow.”

  He briefly explained the circumstances. “Ben’s grooms and the coachman can help Constable Gow with the prisoners. I suggest we get on our way to Arrochar before it gets much later. That wheel looks like it’s fixed now.”

  “I think you’re forgetting something,” Victoria said.

  Nick frowned. “I am?”

  “She means me,” said Logan. “She’s wondering if you’re going to send me away again.”

  “I’ll just go help Gow,” Alec said, backing away.

  Nick sighed. “A family discussion on top of a kidnapping and an attempted murder. What fun.”

  “We are not leaving until this is settled,” Victoria said in a firm tone.

  “But Sergeant Blair—”

  “He’ll be fine,” she said.

  Nick gave her a sheepish smile. He was being a stubborn thickhead, and they all knew it.

  “Listen, Nick, I can never do enough to wipe clean my terrible failure,” Logan said in an earnest tone. “I will live with it for the rest of my days. But you need to know how sorry I am.” He paused. “This isn’t easy for me to say, but I’m begging you one last time to forgive me—for both our sakes.”

  “For your entire family’s sake,” Victoria added softly.

  Nick stared into his brother’s eyes, ones that were a reflection of his own.

  Those eyes were like Cam’s, too. Nick’s little boy had adored his big, brash uncle, and Logan had fiercely loved Cam. His brother would have given his life to save the boy—he would to save any member of the family. But for years Logan had lived in exile, separated from the people he loved.

  And he’d done that because of Nick.

  Victoria laid a hand on his arm. Nick saw love and acceptance in her eyes, along with a quiet understanding that smoothed the jagged edges of his soul. He breathed out a long sigh that felt like letting go of something both precious and painful.

  It was time. “Of course I fo
rgive you, Logan. I’m only sorry it took me so long.”

  Logan’s eyelids closed for a few moments. When they lifted, tears glittered in his gaze like blue crystals. The sight of them made Nick’s throat go tight.

  But then the familiar, roguish smile parted his brother’s lips. “You’re a tough nut, you old bastard. But I’ll take it, and gladly.”

  “And you’re a complete imbecile,” Nick said, jabbing him in the shoulder. Part of him wanted to grab his brother and pull him into a long hug, but he wasn’t yet ready for that. He suspected it might take Logan some more time to forget all the pain and sorrow, as well.

  Victoria shook her head. “I will never understand men.”

  “You’d better get used to it, lass,” Nick said. “You’ll be living with a houseful of them.”

  Gow approached them with a diffident air. “My lord, we’re ready. And as much as I hate to say it, I still need to bring Miss Knight to Glasgow.” The constable grimaced. “I have my orders.”

  His sergeant was no doubt still throwing his weight around, despite the hole in his arm.

  “All right, Constable,” Nick said. “But we’ll be stopping in Arrochar overnight. I have an errand to perform.”

  Victoria frowned. “What errand?”

  “I’m finding a vicar to marry us. When you stand before the court in Glasgow, you will be the Countess of Arnprior. And your husband will be standing right beside you.”

  Her eyes popped wide. “But—”

  “You’ll stand as witness?” he asked Logan.

  His brother flashed a wide grin. “It would be my honor, my lord.”

  “Good. Then it’s all settled.”

  “But—” Victoria started again.

  He took her chin in his hand. “I will not take no for an answer, lass. I’m madly in love with you, and you are madly in love with me, are you not?”

  “Well, as a matter of fact, I am.”

  “Then there is no reason to say no, is there?”

  She seemed to ponder it for a few seconds before her lush mouth parted in a luminous smile that lit up the few remaining dark corners of his soul. “When you put it like that,” she said, “how could I possibly say anything but yes?”

  “Oh, thank God,” Alec said as he returned. “You two were bloody killing me with all this to-ing and fro-ing. I’m getting too old for that sort of nonsense.”

  Victoria looked at her cousin and burst into laughter. The joyous, carefree sound floated up to the treetops like the call of the lark in springtime.

  “All right, Sassenach,” Nick said, taking her hand and leading her to the carriage. “Let’s go get married.”

  Epilogue

  Kendrick House, Glasgow

  February 1817

  “It’s a splendid party, Victoria,” Chloe said. “It almost makes up for the fact that we missed your wedding day.”

  Aden, sitting opposite them, gave Victoria a wink. “Arnprior did seem in quite the rush to get leg-shackled.”

  “There were a few extenuating circumstances, as I recall,” Victoria said dryly.

  “Nick would have dragged you off to the parson in any case,” Logan said. “To say he was eager to claim his bride doesn’t begin to describe his impatience.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Especially for the wedding night.”

  “Logan Kendrick, behave yourself.” Victoria shifted her stern look at Aden. “You too.”

  Her brother sighed dramatically. “We’re in the dog house now, Kendrick.”

  “I practically live there,” Logan replied.

  They were seated in the formal drawing room at Kendrick House, which had been converted into a supper room. The staff had set up over a dozen tables, all covered in starched white linen and graced with the family’s best silver, plate, and crystal. Huge vases filled with white roses adorned the sideboards, and dozens of candles lit the room in a soft, shimmering glow.

  Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the servants, the elegant mansion looked stunning and was once more the comfortable abode of a happy family. Victoria still preferred Kinglas, but Glasgow was beginning to feel like home too.

  “You and Arnprior do know how to throw a grand party,” Alec said, toasting Victoria with his wineglass. “The best part is the twins can wreck your house for once, instead of mine.”

  “That’s a regular day of the week around here,” Logan said.

  “Graeme can hardly be expected to wreck anything, since he’s still on crutches,” Victoria said. “I don’t know where Grant is at the moment, but I expect he’ll stay out of trouble, despite all the pretty girls here tonight.” Both twins had been subdued since the elopement fiasco, and she could only hope their newfound good sense would last.

  “Speaking of pretty girls,” Logan said, “I’m heading up to the ballroom. Perhaps I can snag a few to dance with.” He gave them a friendly nod and strolled out.

  “Your brother-in-law cuts a dashing figure in his clan attire,” Chloe said. “I’m sure he’ll find many ladies who are interested.”

  “I hope so,” Victoria said.

  For a man with a rakish reputation, Logan led a quiet and orderly life. At her insistence, he’d moved into Kendrick House. Now he spent most of the day at his office and warehouse down at the docks. Evenings he was at home, talking to his brothers, reading his correspondence, or listening to Kade play music. Logan and Nicholas were rubbing along fairly well, although they sometimes argued. The wounds between them ran deep, and it would take time and patience for them to entirely heal.

  Still, there was no doubt Nicholas was happy that he’d made peace with Logan, and the rest of the family was overjoyed that he’d finally allowed the prodigal brother to return home.

  “Logan seems like a fine man,” Dominic said from his seat at the end of the table. “I’m glad he’s returned to the family fold.”

  “Not as glad as I am,” said Alec. “Fellow saved our collective arses.”

  “He’s certainly the reason I’m sitting here,” Victoria said.

  Dominic grimaced. “Yes, about that, I can’t tell you—”

  She held up an admonishing finger. “You are not to apologize again, sir. None of what happened was your fault.”

  “I told you to keep secrets from Arnprior,” the magistrate said, “which was a miscalculation on my part.”

  Aden waggled a hand. “I did too, so blame to share.”

  “And then I failed to realize Fletcher had left London.” Dominic shook his head, clearly disgusted. “I don’t think I’ll ever live that down.”

  “Perhaps you’re just getting old, my love,” Chloe said with a mischievous twinkle.

  “Thank you for that observation,” her husband replied.

  “You were out of town at the time,” Victoria protested. “How were you to know the wretched man had left London?”

  Dominic and Chloe had been in Yorkshire, visiting with the Marquess and Marchioness of Lendale for the holidays. Once Dominic learned that Fletcher was in Scotland, he’d set off for Glasgow, arriving the day of the attempt on Victoria’s life. By the time Victoria and Nicholas reached the city, Dominic had already done much of the work necessary to have her case dismissed. There’d been some consternation regarding Logan’s role in Fletcher’s demise, but with Dominic’s assistance, the judicial inquiry had been conducted quickly and discreetly. Since the Kendrick family was highly regarded in Glasgow, they’d managed to evade an outright scandal.

  “Still, I should have anticipated that Fletcher might try something like that,” Dominic said.

  “It’s hard for even the great Sir Dominic to anticipate the actions of a lunatic,” Aden said wryly.

  “Very true,” Chloe said. “And why are we talking about that sad, awful man? We’re celebrating Victoria’s marriage.”

  “Correct as always, my dear.” Dominic gave Victoria a little bow. “Forgive me, Lady Arnprior. I had no intention of spoiling such a splendid event.”

  She returned the bow. “Not at all,
Sir Dominic. And I’m sorry I pulled you away from your visit with Lord and Lady Lendale. I hope I shall meet them someday soon.”

  “I’m sure you will,” Aden said. “After all, Lia is your cousin.”

  Lia Easton, Marchioness of Lendale and the natural daughter of the Duke of York, had written a lovely letter to Victoria with a standing invitation for her and Nicholas to visit them at Stonefell Manor.

  “Yet another cousin,” Chloe said drolly.

  “There are legions of us,” Alec said. “Victoria is just getting started.”

  “I’m sorry the Lendales weren’t able to be here,” Victoria said, “but I’m so grateful that my aunts came up from Brighton,” She smiled at Aden. “Thank you for arranging that.”

  “Of course, pet.” Her brother lifted his glass to her. “After all, this is your official celebration. It’s only right your family should be here.”

  While Victoria had intended to have only a small, family party to mark the occasion of her marriage, over the last few weeks it had transformed into a grand ball with over a hundred guests. Nicholas had insisted they open the Kendrick House ballroom, and had brought Taffy and some other castle staff down to help manage the elaborate affair. Over Victoria’s halfhearted objections, her husband had arranged for a lavish supper, an orchestra for dancing, and even a card room for the gentlemen and older ladies. She’d objected, but all the Kendrick men, including Angus, had taken her husband’s side.

  “Ye sneaky buggers went off without us to get riveted,” Angus had said, “so ye might as well let us have a grand party to make up for it.”

  Knowing that for too many years the Kendrick family had lacked occasion for celebration, Victoria hadn’t had the heart to deny them their fun.

  “It’s so nice of Edie and Vivien to take my aunts under their wing,” Victoria said. “I think the poor dears are feeling a little overwhelmed.”

  Alec snorted. “They’ve been getting along as thick as thieves, having a grand time racketing about town all week.”

  “Where are my aunts, by the way?” Victoria said, craning to look around the room.

  “Edie and Vivien took them to the card room,” Chloe said. “The five of them were going to form a table.”