“We’ve stopped in London for a few days before heading for Cainewood. Jase is insisting I see Dr. Willis.”
Kendra frowned when a dancer had the nerve to bump into their happy little reunion. “The king’s physician?”
“The very same.” Cait sighed. “Just what I need—a man poking and prodding me. Wheesht!” she added as a broad-reared matron backed into her. “I’ve delivered a dozen or more bairns; I think I know what I’m doing.”
“Shall we?” Trick asked, motioning them off the busy dance floor. “What’s this all about?”
Kendra tried to look baffled. “Did I forget to tell you that Caithren is with child?”
“Aye, it seems you did.” With a knowing smile, he turned to Cait. “Congratulations.”
“Was Jason angry?” Kendra asked.
“Would you believe I convinced him I didn’t know?” Concealed by a lovely rose-colored gown with a silver-embroidered stomacher, Cait’s middle still looked flat. She grinned. “The truth is he’s not quite sure, and in any case, his main concern was getting back to England before the weather set in.”
“So whatwashis reaction, then?”
“I’m thrilled.” Appearing from out of nowhere, Jason bent to give Kendra a kiss. “How are you doing?” he asked in her ear.
Dressed in dark green and looking wonderfully familiar, the sight of him made her wonder why she’d been so angry with him. “I’m happy,” she admitted.
“I’m so glad.” He had the good grace not to look smug, although she knew full well he’d lord it over her in the future. He turned to his wife. “You didn’t fool me for a minute, you know. I was too pleased to make a fuss…although now the excitement’s worn off a bit, I’ve a mind to make you pay for that deception.”
She raised a brow. “I cannot wait.”
The stern look Kendra was more accustomed to settled on his features. “Your health could have been at risk. And the babe’s as well.”
“I’ve never felt healthier in my life.” Cait slipped an arm around his waist, gazing up at him with a brilliant, calculated smile. “You’re not really angry, are you?”
His answer was an indulgent sigh. “So what areyoudoing here?” he asked Trick.
“I have something that belongs to Charles. Long story,” he added when Cait went to ask. “I’m sure Kendra will enjoy the telling.”
Kendra grinned. “He only says that hoping I’ll make him out a hero.”
“I cannot wait to hear,” Caithren said, snagging her by the arm. “Shall we repair to the garden?”
The music stopped, and dancers began jostling past. His obligations over, King Charles caught Trick’s gaze and sent him a significant nod.
“I’m afraid your talk will have to wait,” he said. “I believe I’ve just been summoned home to Caldwell House.”
“We’ll talk tomorrow, then,” Cait said, dropping Kendra’s arm and threading her own through Jason’s. “And my husband will dance with me instead.”
“Nothing energetic,” he warned. “You’ll stick to the minuet.”
“You see what I have to put up with?” she asked Kendra with a roll of her eyes. “Crivvens, you’d think I was an invalid.”
Sixty-Five
AT CALDWELLHouse later that night, Trick watched as Charles swirled Madeira in his glass and took an appreciative sip. “Amazing.”
“The wine?”
The king’s lips curved beneath his thin black mustache. “The wine’s of admirable quality, to be sure. But then, your late father dealt only in the best.”
Trick agreed with a curt nod. The best, aye. The best wine, the best fabrics, the best furnishings, the best books. His gaze wandered to the leather-bound tomes lining the walls in this, the most impressive study in all of London. He doubted the man had ever cracked open even one of them.
“However, it was your gift I was referring to.” Charles set down the glass and reached into the chest, pulling out a solid gold dish and turning its heavy weight thoughtfully in his hands. “To think my own father’s treasure has resurfaced after all these years.”
