Chapter Twelve
Victoria glanced up from her lesson plan when Kade hit another discordant note. The lad stared gloomily at the keyboard as he picked his way through the Haydn sonata she’d given him this morning. Even the new music had failed to lift his spirits.
After their ripping argument yesterday, Angus had stormed out of Kinglas in a fury while the earl had stormed off and locked himself in his library. Their very public shouting match had all but shaken the ancient timbers of the entrance hall to the ground. Neither man had shown up for dinner, leaving Victoria to make strained conversation with Royal while Kade and the disgraced twins morosely picked at their food.
When Kade heaved a dramatic sigh and slid her a sideways glance, Victoria put aside her work. She’d always tried to distance herself from the personal lives of her various employers, but her pupil was clearly suffering and needed her support.
“Why don’t you take a little break and have some tea?” Victoria said, patting the seat next to her on the chaise. “Taffy made some of your favorite seedcakes. It would be a shame to let them go to waste.”
The boy came to join her. “It is awfully hard to concentrate, what with Nick and Grandda on the outs. They brangle quite a lot, but this is different.”
“You can tell me all about it, but first you must eat. You barely touched your breakfast or luncheon.”
“It’s hard to have an appetite when your brother and grandfather wish to murder each other.”
“It’s just a lot of noise, I’m sure,” she said gently. “And I hardly think starving yourself is going to help matters, now is it?”
What might help matters would be to line up the Kendrick men and box their ears for being so pigheaded and stubborn.
Kade accepted a cup of tea. “At least when I’m sick, they usually stop fighting.”
“Dearest, it’s not your responsibility to solve your family’s problems. It’s their job to take care of you, not the other way around.”
The boy saw himself as the peacemaker in the family. Generally, that meant just being his cheerful self, since the earl was fiercely protective of his baby brother. But yesterday’s blowup had destroyed the delicate equilibrium of the household. From the shadows under Kade’s eyes, it was clear he’d slept poorly. He’d also lost the appetite he’d started to regain over the last few weeks.
That was unacceptable, and Victoria intended to tell the earl just that once she worked up the nerve to beard the angry lion in his den.
“Nick hardly ever loses his temper,” Kade said, echoing her thoughts, “but I thought he was going to bash Grandda over the head.”
“I thought it was more likely he was going to bash the twins,” she said wryly.
Kade wrinkled his nose. “It was bad of Grant and Graeme to set up a still, despite what my grandfather thinks.”
According to the customs officers, the twins had set up a small but thoroughly illegal whisky distillery in a secluded glen on Arnprior lands. While it was a fairly common practice in the Highlands, it could provoke serious legal consequences. Fortunately, the officers had agreed not to press charges after the earl promised to dismantle the operation and punish the twins himself.
“Well, it is against the law,” she said, “and it was very embarrassing for the earl to be caught so unawares.” Arnprior had clearly been mortified that the twins had been brewing moonshine under his very nose. Even worse, Angus had known about it.
Kade put down his teacup, looking worried. “The officers aren’t going to come back and arrest them, are they?”
She gave him a reassuring smile. “No, they’re going to allow the earl to manage the situation as he sees fit, as long as the still is dismantled.”
“Thank goodness. It would be awful if the twins ended up in the clink.”
“Indeed,” she said dryly, refilling his teacup. From what she’d seen yesterday, the earl had been sorely tempted to consign the twins and their grandfather to a long stay in the local gaol.
“And maybe Grandda has a point,” he said thoughtfully. “What right do the English have to tell the Scots what to do and what not to do?”
“I suggest you disregard your grandfather on that point, dear.” Angus had tried to make that argument after the customs officers had departed.
“Besides,” Angus had said, scowling at Arnprior, “what else do ye expect of them? The puir lads have to support themselves somehow.”
The earl had regarded his grandfather with disbelief. “I expect them not to get tossed out of university, and I expect them to learn a bloody profession. Also, I expect their grandfather to encourage them in those laudable and legal goals.”
“But the lads are learning a profession, dinna ye ken?”
“Moonshining? Are you insane?”
“I don’t see ye coming up with anything better,” Angus had retorted before glaring at Victoria. “Oh, aye, except to have herself turn them into a pair of twiddle-poops so they can find some silly twits to marry. No wonder the lads don’t listen to a bloody thing ye say. Who can blame them, running off to war like ye did? As if ye were the only one who grieved, and the rest of us felt nothing.”
And just like that, the atmosphere in the entrance hall had gone from bad to explosive. After clearly trying to wrestle his anger under control, the earl had suddenly looked as if he were about to strangle his grandfather on the spot.
“That’s enough,” Royal had barked, limping forward to stand between the two men. “You’re not to say another word about any of that, Grandda.”
“Ye ken as well as I—” Angus had said hotly.
“No,” Royal had interrupted. He’d stood nose to nose, giving the old man a threatening glare. Then he’d turned back to his brother with a reassuring smile.
But the earl’s gaze had transformed into one so bleak and angry that it had chilled Victoria to the bone.
“Nick, he doesn’t know what he’s saying,” Royal said. “Don’t listen to him.”
Arnprior had nodded to his brother, then turned on his booted heel and stalked off. Royal had followed him and Angus had slunk away, while Mrs. Taffy had shooed the staff back to their duties.
Victoria had retreated upstairs to the schoolroom to find Kade immersed in his studies, thankfully unaware of the debacle below. She’d been tempted to ask Taffy for clarification on the obscure charges Angus had leveled at the earl, but had decided it was none of her business.
Since then, the entire household had held its collective breath, as if they were staring into a simmering volcano, waiting for the final eruption.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen if Nick doesn’t forgive the twins,” Kade said. “Or Grandda.”
For the sake of Kade’s peace of mind, it was time for Victoria to take drastic measures, even if it meant interfering in Kendrick family business. “Would you like me to speak to the earl about the twins?”
He glanced up with a hopeful expression. “Would you?”
“Yes, and I’ll talk to Royal as well. Between the two of us, perhaps we might even restore civil relations.”
He smiled at her little joke. “That would be splendid, because I’m worried about Nick. He hasn’t been this upset since—” He suddenly clamped his lips shut.
“Since when?” she gently prompted.
He seemed about to answer when Grant charged into the drawing room.
Startled, Kade almost dropped his teacup.
Victoria scowled at Grant. “I would ask that you go back into the hall and reenter the room like a gentleman.”
“Sorry, miss,” Grant puffed with excitement. “But we have a visitor.”
“Who?” Kade asked.
“Logan,” he burst out. “Logan has finally come home.”
Kade’s face went slack. “Truly?”
Grant nodded. “He just arrived.”
“Does Nick know?”
“Royal’s gone to fetch him.”
Before Victoria could say a word, Kade flew off the chaise and pelted for the door.
“Kade, don’t run,” she called after him.
When his older brother started to follow, she came to her feet. “Grant, please wait one moment.”
He turned, vibrating with impatience.
“Tell me who Logan is,” she said.
“My older brother.”
“Another brother?”
“Half-brother, actually. Logan is second oldest, after Nick. His mother was my father’s first countess.”
Victoria realized she was gaping at him like a trout. “Why have I never heard about him before?”
Grant shifted uncomfortably. “Because Nick doesn’t like to talk about him. They had . . . a falling out.”
His lordship didn’t like to talk about his wife, either. The man seemed to have a great many secrets.
Like you?
“If you don’t mind, Miss Knight,” Grant said, “I’ve got to go downstairs. I’m not sure what’s going to happen when Nick finds out Logan’s here.”
She scurried to catch up with him. “I’ll come with you.”
“Maybe you’d better not,” he said as she hurried beside him in the corridor. “There might be some fireworks. Nick told Logan never to come back to Kinglas. In fact, none of us have seen him in over six years. He’s been in Canada.”
“Why would the earl exile him?” she asked breathlessly, all but trotting to keep up with his long-legged stride.
As they reached the landing at the top of the main staircase, he came to a halt so sudden that her soft leather shoes slipped on the polished floors. He grabbed her by the arm.
“Don’t fall, miss.” Grant had a knack for stating the obvious.
Annoyed, Victoria pushed an errant lock of hair away from her face. But tart words died on her tongue when she took in Grant’s worried expression. He was normally the cheeriest of young men, impervious to all but the most severe setdown from his big brother. Right now, though, he looked almost frightened.
She could hear voices below in the entrance hall. Ignoring them, she rested a gentle hand on Grant’s forearm. “What is it, my dear?”
He glanced past her, as if making sure they weren’t overhead. “You know that Nick was married.”
“Yes. I’m aware that the earl doesn’t like to speak of her loss.”
“That’s not the only loss he doesn’t like to speak about.”
“Go on.”
He seemed to debate with himself for a few moments before capitulating. “You’ll find out anyway, so I might as well tell you. Nick and his wife had a son—a little boy named Cameron.”
She stared blankly at him. Her brain couldn’t seem to catch up. “He died?”
“More than six years ago.”
Now it became clear. “About the time your brothers became estranged?”
He nodded as he cast an impatient glance over her shoulder. The voices in the hall were growing in volume. “Miss, I’ve got to get down there.”
“Very well, but just tell me . . . blast,” she muttered as Grant brushed past and ran down the stairs. She didn’t immediately follow, giving herself a moment to sort through all she’d just heard.
Despite the occasional flashes of genuine charm, Arnprior was a deeply somber man who carried a heavy weight of responsibility. Now she knew he carried a terrible weight of sorrow as well due to the death of both his wife and his son. Her heart ached for him, and for the rest of the family, who were all but drowning in painful secrets.
Victoria tucked a few stray hairs back into their pins and smoothed her lace cuffs, then took the stairs down to the entrance hall. Grant was probably correct—she should go back to her room and mind her own business. But she had no intention of abandoning Kade, or Lord Arnprior, for that matter.
In the center of the hall was a giant of a man dressed in breeches, boots, and a travel-stained greatcoat. Like all the Kendrick men, he was muscular and well built, but in this case exceptionally so. He topped the twins by at least two inches, and seemed even more brawny than the earl himself.
Kade had thrown himself into Logan’s arms and was all but swallowed up in the big man’s embrace. The twins and Angus hovered nearby, looking torn between excitement and apprehension. Several servants milled aimlessly and Taffy stood off to the side, dabbing a handkerchief to her eyes as she struggled to contain herself. The dogs added to the mayhem, tumbling about and adding to the din reverberating off the high rafters. With so much noise, it was all but impossible to hear voices.
The room was chilly, since the footmen, apparently as excited as the dogs, had forgotten to close the front door. Victoria hurried to shut the door, then sidled past the dogs and the servants to join the housekeeper.
Taffy gave her a watery smile. “Och, miss, we’re at sixes and sevens, what with Mr. Logan’s return home from Canada.”
Victoria leaned in close. “I take it no one was expecting him?”
“No.” The housekeeper gave her nose a quick wipe and then stowed her handkerchief up a sleeve. “Ye’ll be thinking I’m a silly nit for crying, but it’s been years since we’ve seen the lad. He’s been sorely missed, I can tell ye.”
“But not by the earl, I take it.”
Taffy shot her a wary glance. “What did Mr. Grant tell you?”
“Only that the earl and his brother are estranged. Oh, and that his lordship had a son,” she added. “That came as a bit of a shock.”
Taffy had the grace to look sheepish. “I’m right sorry for not telling you, lass. The laird doesn’t like us talking about the poor wee boy.”
“Or his wife or brother, apparently.”
The housekeeper raised her hands in a helpless gesture. “You have to understand how things were for the laird. First Lady Arnprior died so suddenly, and then—”
“Miss Knight,” Kade shouted over the noise. “Come meet Logan.” He waved excitedly at her from his brother’s embrace.
She smiled and waved back. “I’ll be right there.” She returned her attention to the housekeeper. “I take it that the earl is likely to be displeased about this development.”
“That, miss, is an understatement,” she said grimly. “Mr. Royal went to look for him and to try to prepare him.”
“Then might I suggest we at least try to enforce a little decorum before the earl arrives. This sort of upset is not likely to improve his already unhappy mood.”
“Right you are, miss. I’ll have tea brought to the family drawing room when things settle down.”
While the housekeeper set about restoring order among the servants and the dogs, Victoria made her way over to the family group.
Kade grabbed her hand. “Miss Knight, this is my brother Logan.” His eyes shone with excitement. “He’s been in Canada for over six years. And he’s apparently as rich as Croesus, which is rather fun.”
She dipped into a curtsy. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kendrick.”
“And you as well, Miss Knight,” he replied in a deep, resonant voice. He gave her a sweeping bow.
When he straightened, he towered over her, forcing her to peer up at him. She found herself looking into laughing blue eyes that were almost a match to the earl’s. In fact, Logan strongly resembled his brother, having the same rugged, handsome features and hair so dark it appeared blue-black.
Unlike the earl, however, he had an easy smile and a charming manner that suggested he was entirely at ease with the awkward situation. If Logan was worried about his older brother’s reaction to his sudden return to the ancestral home, he certainly didn’t display it.
“Kade, you neglected to tell me how pretty your new governess is,” he said. “No wonder you’re enjoying your studies so much. I might even ask Miss Knight to give me a few lessons too.”
Victoria blinked. Was he attempting to flirt with her in front of most of the family and half the servants?
The twins exchanged a disconcerted glance and even Angus looked nonplussed.
“Now, don’t ye be teasin’ the lassie,” the old man hastily said. “Miss Knight takes her duties verra seriously.”
“Yes, you mustn’t tease,” said Kade earnestly. “She’s a splendid teacher and an accomplished pianist. I’m very lucky to have her as my tutor.”
“Even better, since I love music. Will you play something special for me if I ask you very nicely?” he asked her.
When he punctuated that comment by giving Victoria a roguish wink, all she could do was gape at him. How could the man behave in so outrageous a fashion and under such fraught circumstances? She could only hope the earl wouldn’t expect her to try teaching Logan Kendrick how to behave with propriety. She already had her hands full with the rest of the family, and this new addition seemed like a particularly hard case.
Then again, it was possible that the earl would shoot his errant brother rather than attempt to reform his manners.
Suddenly the dogs stopped barking. At the same moment, Logan glanced beyond her, the rakish, charming smile fading from his features. She spun around to see the earl standing at the back of the hall, with Royal standing at his shoulder.
Her heart sank as she absorbed the cold fury that shimmered in the atmosphere around Arnprior.
“Ah, Nick,” Logan said in a quiet voice. “There you are.”
The earl finally moved, prowling forward into the center of the hall with Royal a protective shadow behind him. Angus and the twins retreated a few steps, and even the dogs had the sense to slink away.
Victoria took Kade’s hand in a comforting grip. His fingers wrapped around hers, his gaze steady on the earl.
“Look, Nick,” the boy said in a bright voice, as if his good cheer could chase away the approaching tempest, “Logan’s finally come home.”
“So I see.” The earl’s voice was a soft but terrifying growl.
He and his brother sized each other up. The silence in the room was so fraught that the back of Victoria’s neck started to prickle.
“My lord,” Logan finally said, giving his brother a correct bow. His casual manner was now considerably more wary. “It’s good to see you again.”
Arnprior’s flat gaze clearly indicated he felt the opposite. Though Logan was indeed the bigger man, the earl’s imperious, almost menacing presence made everyone else in the room seem small by comparison.
“Is it?” the earl replied. “Because I find myself most displeased to see you again.”
When Arnprior finally smiled, Victoria almost fainted. It was the sort of smile a cold-blooded killer might give a man just before he stuck a knife between his ribs.
“In fact,” the earl added, “I suggest you leave my house while you still have the chance to do so in one piece.”