Alec scowled. “Edie—”
Nick chopped down a hand. “Enough. This discussion has become absurd.”
“Don’t blame me,” Alec retorted. “Angus started the whole damn thing.”
“Now see here, laddie,” Angus snapped. “Yer not too old—”
“What in heaven’s name is happening in here?” interrupted a stern female voice.
Logan sighed at the sight of the woman in the doorway. “Just what we didn’t need.”
Lady Reese marched into the room. “You must cease this ridiculously loud argument. I could hear you from the other wing.”
“Well timed as always, Mamma,” Edie said. “Things were getting a bit out of hand.”
Her ladyship eyed Donella and Logan. “Good God, not again.”
“It’s obviously a family trait,” Edie said, trying not to laugh.
Lady Reese shook her head. “Really, Miss Haddon, I cannot believe it of you.”
“Hang on,” Logan protested. “It was my fault, not hers.”
“That I can believe,” her ladyship replied. “However, I know exactly what to do. We will sneak Donella up the servants’ stairs, and tomorrow you will formally announce your betrothal.”
“We most certainly will not,” Donella said, choosing that moment to go stubborn again.
“Which part?” Victoria asked. “The sneaking upstairs or the betrothal?”
“Both.”
“Pet, you look rather messy,” Edie said. “You have to sneak upstairs.”
“And Mr. Kendrick will certainly be proposing marriage,” Lady Reese intoned. “Or Lord Riddick will have something to say about it.”
“Dinna be threatenin’ my grandson, ye daft Sassenach,” Angus said. “Of course he’ll be marryin’ the lass.”
Lady Reese bristled like a hedgehog. “Now, see here, Mr. whatever-your-name is, I will abide no Highland nonsense from you or anyone else.” She gave a loud sniff. “Deranged, the whole lot of you.”
“Mamma, that’s not helpful,” Edie said, jerking her head toward Donella.
“Miss Haddon knows I am not referring to her. After Lady Arnprior and myself, she is the most sensible person in this room. The men, however, are all idiots.”
Angus stomped up to her. “What ye are is a stuck-up Sassenach—”
“Enough,” Donella yelled.
Logan winced, since she was standing but a few inches away from him. The lass had a healthy pair of lungs.
“Lady Reese is correct,” Donella said. “In fact, I’m so sensible that I’m leaving this deranged scene right now.”
She stormed out of the room without a second glance at Logan or anyone else.
“Backstairs, dearest,” Edie called, rushing after her.
“Oh, dear,” Victoria said, following her.
Lady Reese inspected the rest of them with haughty regard. “Highlanders. Morons.”
Then she, too, sailed from the room.
“That went well,” Nick sardonically commented.
Angus stomped over and clapped Logan on the shoulder. “Best elope with the lassie tonight, ye ken. Dinna want to let her get away from ye.”
“No elopements,” Alec barked. “I won’t have it.”
Logan sighed. “I need a drink.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Donella helped Joseph down to the drive, murmuring her thanks to the groom who held open the carriage door.
“It was fun to stay overnight at Breadie Manor,” the little boy said. “We had a Christmas party in the nursery.”
“I wish I might have joined you. I’m sure it was jollier than our party.”
Given the humiliating events of last night, there was little doubt of that.
True, there had been that enjoyable interlude with Logan. But having been discovered in the middle of it, probably the most embarrassing moment of her life, diminished any fond remembrance.
She’d put Logan in a terrible position, all but ensuring he’d have to marry her. The fact that he seemed fairly keen on the idea still puzzled and worried her. She suspected it had little to do with love.
And let’s not forget the issue of Roddy and your—
“Hurry up, Donella,” Joseph said as he tugged her toward the front portico. “Auntie Edie said there’d be leftover cakes and all sorts of good things for lunch today.”
Since it was Boxing Day, most of the servants would have the day off. But there was plenty of food left over from the party, including a vast array of sweets.
Despite her personal disaster, the Christmas festivities had gone off without a hitch. That was one thing she could be proud of.
“Thank you for taking me to church today,” Joseph added. “Papa and I went yesterday, but he always forgets the words to the carols.”
Donella repressed a smile as they climbed the steps. “I was very happy to go with you.”
She’d needed church this morning, given her atrocious conduct last night. A month ago, she’d been preparing to take her final vows as a nun. Now she was engaging in scandalous behavior with alarming regularity.
Perhaps you can take up highway robbery in your spare time.
Donella knew exactly who to blame. Logan Kendrick was temptation incarnate. Sadly, she had proven all too willing to be tempted.
“Grandpapa and Meme always used to take me to church in Halifax.” He looked down at his feet. “I miss my grandfather.”
Donella gave him a quick hug. “And I’m sure he misses you. But he’s now with your mother, so you have two people in Heaven to watch over you all the time.”
His brave little smile broke her heart. “Papa misses him too, but he says we should be happy that Mama has Grandpapa to keep her company.” He paused. “I guess you don’t have a mother, either.”
Donella frowned. “Did someone tell you that?”
When his gaze slid sideways, she mentally sighed. “It’s all right, Joseph. I promise I won’t be upset.”
He twisted his mouth into a pucker before answering her. “I heard two of the nursemaids talking. They said your mother got sick and had to go away. Did she die?”
Blast.
If even the servants had got wind of it, the gossip about Mamma must be more widespread than she’d realized.
“I’m very lucky that my mother is alive,” she said. “But she’s quite ill, so she had to go away and live with a special doctor.”
He grimaced with childish sympathy. “I bet you miss her.”
I miss who she used to be.
“I do.”
“So it’s like you don’t have a mother, either.”
“Fortunately, we both have nice families who take care of us. And you have a splendid papa who loves you very much.”
Joseph rolled his eyes. Apparently, Papa was still in the doghouse. He was rather in Donella’s doghouse, too.
After she rapped on the door, it swung open to reveal Angus.
“Er, good afternoon,” she said, a bit flummoxed to see him. “Are you playing footman today?”
“Aye. Thought I’d spend the day here, seein’ if anyone needed my help, ye ken.” He gave her a broad wink.
She thought it best to ignore the implications of that wink.
Angus helped Joseph off with his coat. “Seems like ye were havin’ quite the chat out there on the porch.”
Donella removed her bonnet and gloves and placed them on a side table. “We were discussing some very deep thoughts.”
“That sounds verra important.”
“It was, Grandda,” Joseph said in a serious voice. “Very important.”
“That does sound interesting,” rumbled a familiar voice. “Care to share those deep thoughts with me?”
Oh, God.
She was not ready to face Logan again. She might never be ready to face him.
Bracing herself, Donella forced a smile and turned to greet him. But the words died on her lips as he crossed the entrance hall to join them. Logan seemed entirely calm and collected, and ve
ry handsome in his dark blue tailcoat, formfitting breeches, and tall boots.
Logan’s eyes were normally a cool blue, like a mountain lake. But now they glittered with a knowing heat that sent blood rushing to her cheeks. Memories of last night flooded her mind, unnerving her.
Joseph came to her rescue.
“No, Papa. It was . . .” He wrinkled his brow as he struggled to find the right word. “Private. About our mothers.”
If Logan was startled by that revelation, he didn’t show it. “Then you must certainly keep it to yourselves. Private conversations are always to be respected.”
Joseph rolled his eyes, his de facto response to his father these days. “I know, Papa. I’m not dumb.”
Logan only slightly winced. “You are the opposite of dumb, laddie boy. You’re the smartest one in the family.”
“Aye, that’s true,” Angus said. “The rest of us are dummies, especially your da. Just ask Miss Donella.”
“Thank you for that, Grandda,” Logan said as his son giggled.
“I hope we’re not too late for luncheon,” Donella said, hoping to divert the discussion to safer channels. “Joseph assured me there would be cakes.”
“Indeed there will be,” said Eden as she emerged from the back hall. “Nick and Victoria stopped by for a visit, and I was just about to join them and my mother in the family dining room. Would you like to come along?”
Joseph gave a vigorous nod. “Yes, please. I like your mother. She’s funny.”
Eden grinned and held out her hand. “That’s one way to describe her.”
Joseph took her hand and started across the hall, before stopping to look over his shoulder. “Are you coming, Donella?”
“Actually, son,” Logan said, “I need to have a word with her. We’ll join you in a bit.”
Donella held up both hands. “That’s not necessary, sir. I don’t want to keep you from your son. Or from luncheon.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“I am.”
Logan narrowed his gaze. “We need to talk, lass.”
“And Alec is waiting for you in the library, remember?” Eden said.
Logan snorted. “How could I forget?”
Oh, drat and blast.
Now Alasdair was going all lord-of-the-manor, no doubt gearing up for another scold—or dire threats if they didn’t fall into line.
Joseph frowned. “Papa, is something wrong?”
“Not a thing, son. Just go with Auntie Edie.”
The boy suddenly brightened. “Are you going to ask Donella to marry you?”
Donella shot Logan a warning glare that he ignored.
“Yes, Joseph. I am.”
“Can you make sure she says yes?”
Donella’s heart sank. Both their families were making it all but impossible to say no—and she was finding she had no desire to say no in the first place.
“I’ll try my best,” Logan said, throwing Donella a wry glance.
“Try very hard, Papa,” Joseph called back as Eden led him from the hall.
Logan raised his eyebrows at Angus. “You can go with them.”
“Nae, lad. Someone has to look out for yer interests. That Gilbride is a crafty one, ye ken. Not that we don’t want ye gettin’ everythin’ ye deserve, lass,” he hastily said to Donella. “But these marriage negotiations can be tricky.”
“Good God,” Logan muttered.
Donella shared the sentiment, but when Angus gallantly offered his arm, she sighed and took it. Her erstwhile suitor fell in behind.
As they trooped to the library, she had the unnerving notion that she was being led to the gallows. But when she glanced over her shoulder at Logan, he gave her a wink and a reassuring smile.
“I won’t let anyone pester you,” he said.
She couldn’t help but return his smile. Whatever else might happen, she knew he would always protect her. It was an incredibly comforting certainty.
“About time,” Alasdair said as they entered the library.
Donella took one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Preparing to read us another lecture?”
“I’ve been working on it all morning.”
“Very well, but I’m warning you. I am not in the best of moods.”
“We’re just going to have a sensible little chat, Donella. There was too much commotion last night for that, you must admit.”
“Most of the commotion was caused by you.”
Logan flashed her a grin as he took the other chair. “Speaking of that, why isn’t my brother here to deliver his best head-of-the-clan speech, as he glowers like a bear with a sore paw?”
“Victoria decided we only needed one bear to glower,” Alasdair said.
Logan snorted. “I give it ten minutes before he barges in here.”
Angus, who’d dragged a padded bench over to join them, shook his head. “I told Nick I’d take care of everythin’.”
“You mean you told him you’d tell him everything,” Logan sarcastically replied.
“He is yer laird, laddie. He deserves to know.”
Donella clenched her hands in her lap. “This is so embarrassing for me. I hope you all realize that.”
Logan reached over and covered her hands. “I’m truly sorry for that, love. I would have spared you this silliness, if possible.”
Angus scowled. “And if ye hadn’t been dallyin’ with her last night, ye would have.”
“Can we please not rehash last night’s events?” Donella asked. “Once was quite enough.”
Alasdair gave her a sympathetic grimace. “I hate to pile on, but we do need a plan. There’s already too much gossip making the rounds, and it’s damaging your reputation.”
“I don’t give a hang about my stupid reputation.”
“I do,” Logan said. “And I won’t have you hurt by my actions, Donella.”
She yanked her hands out from under his. “So, that’s what this marriage proposal is truly about? Your wounded honor?”
Logan recaptured one of her hands. “You know it’s not, daft girl. But the honor of both our families is a consideration we can’t ignore.”
“He’s right, Donella,” Alasdair said. “There’s a general expectation about the two of you, now that Logan has made his intentions quite clear.”
“With one notable lapse,” she couldn’t help adding.
Logan looked a trifle annoyed. “And could we not rehash that incident, please?”
She gave him a sweet smile. “Sorry. It just slipped out.”
“Ye canna be blamed for being annoyed, lass,” Angus said. “Logan was a chowderhead that night.”
“Indeed,” Alasdair dryly agreed. “Which simply reinforces my point. Donella cannot be subjected to gossip about the sincerity of Logan’s intentions.”
“And what about my intentions?” she asked. “Does that merit any discussion, or am I expected to meekly sit here while you men decide what happens to my life? What happened to not letting anyone pester me?”
Both Logan and Alasdair had the grace to look embarrassed.
Angus, however, gave her an approving grin. “That’s the spirit, lass. Dinna let them push ye aboot.”
“I didn’t mean to cut you out of the discussion,” Logan regretfully said, “and I’m sure Alec didn’t, either. What you want means more to me than anything else.”
Her ire subsided a bit. “Thank you.” She glanced at her cousin. “And you?”
“I want you to be happy, Cousin,” he said gently. “I always have, which I think you know.”
“I do know that, but I rather feel like I’ve lost control of the circumstances.” Starting with the day she’d been kicked out of the convent.
“That’s because the circumstances are running ahead of us,” Alasdair said. “Last night was a perfect example, apart from the gossip about you and your mother. From what Edie tells me, some of the servants caught a glimpse of you after you, er, left the library.”
Stormed out, more like it, and sh
e’d promptly run into a footman and then two housemaids. To say she hadn’t been looking her best was an understatement.
“Och, that’s nae good,” Angus said. “Servants love to gossip.”
“As do other people whose names I will refrain from mentioning,” Logan commented.
Angus curled a lip but didn’t deny the accusation.
“Donella, I will support whatever decision you make,” Alasdair said. “That includes joining a convent, if that’s what you truly want.”
“Now, hang on—” Logan indignantly started.
Alasdair held up a hand to interrupt. “But you need to think about the rest of us when making that decision—not just our family, but Logan and the Kendricks, too.” He leaned forward, earnestly meeting her gaze. “We all love you, lass, every last one of us. And we all want you in our life. You’re not an outsider, no matter what you might think. You’re one of us.”
For so long, the bonds of family obligation had chained her and Alasdair together—the ones neither had ever asked for, and the ones that had generated friction and resentment. Now, she saw love and loyalty in him, the kind that family gave family, without question.
Logan took her other hand and turned her to face him.
“Donella, if your true desire is to join a convent, I will cease pestering you,” he said in a somber tone. “But you need to tell me straight out.”
She rolled her lips inward, holding back words that longed to burst forth. Words like I love you, but there are things you should know about me.
“Love, you can tell me anything, and I will never judge you.” Logan shook his head. “As if I have the right to judge anyone, much less the kind, bonny lass you are.”
Oh, Lord, he was making her feel like a guilty, miserable coward. She could live with the guilt. But feeling like a coward, afraid to live her own life? No.
“I do not want to enter a convent,” she said. “I want to stay here, with all of you.”
“Including me, I’m assuming,” Logan said.
While he didn’t voice it as a question, she caught the uncertainty.
Donella squeezed his hands. “Yes. It just happened so fast, it’s rather unnerving.”
His smile was lopsided. “Believe me, I understand. This wasn’t anything I was looking for or expected to find, either.”
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