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Chapter Eleven

“What the hell is she blatherin’ about?” That came from Graeme Kennedy.

Camden whistled, and Logan and Wallace traded bewildered looks.

Liam strode forward and put a protective arm around Kendra’s shoulders. “Consider yer words carefully, madam. I’ll no’ stand by and allow ye to insult my sister.”

Kendra sent him a grateful smile.

How she itched to slap the arrogant harpy’s face. She’d all but implied Kendra was a whore. She refused to give Lady Montforth the satisfaction of seeing how much the cruel woman’s cutting words had wounded and humiliated her.

She wasn’t surprised by her ladyship’s venom, given what Camden had learned about Lady Narcissa. Her pretty outward trappings concealed an evil heart and a blacker soul. She was the devil’s handmaiden if there ever was one.

Her poor daughters.

What would become of the unfortunate dears with a mother like that? It was profound good fortune that Broden was now their legal guardian.

“My choice of a countess, my lady,” Broden gritted out through clenched teeth, “is absolutely none of yer business, and ye’ll have nae say in the matter. Ye would be wise to retire to yer chamber and remain there until I summon ye.”

Kendra wanted to launch herself into his arms. Not only because he defended her so vehemently, but because she’d missed him dreadfully. And now that he stood but a few feet away, she longed to kiss him. To tell him how much she realized she loved him while he was gone.

For she did love him. Absolutely and profoundly. Unconditionally and irrevocably.

Now that she had admitted it to herself, it had become glaringly obvious that she had for some time. How she’d missed the signs, she couldn’t venture to guess. But her focus had ever been on Broden’s flaws, and not his numerous exemplary qualities.

She couldn’t prevent the small—fine, perhaps not so very small—satisfied smile she directed toward the countess.

Broden strode to the bell pull and gave the dark green and gold braided silk cord a firm tug. Not more than three seconds after Broden summoned him, the butler entered. Probably lurking in the corridor eavesdropping as any butler worth his salt was wont to do.

“Yes, my lord?” He didn’t so much as slide a furtive glance toward the brawny Scots or his highly agitated mistress.

“My friends are hungry and thirsty after their long journey,” Broden said. “Please ask Cook to prepare refreshments for them, as well as tea for Miss MacKay and ale for the men.”

“I took it upon myself to ask Mrs. Wilson to assemble a hardy repast upon their arrival, sir.” Morris angled his head. “I believe it is nearly prepared.”

“How dare you, Morris? You overstep your authority. Do you not value your position at all?” The countess all but hissed, “I should dismiss you without a reference right this moment. I am still the mistress here, am I not?”

Not for much longer, Kendra would wager.

Despite Lady Montforth’s tirade, Morris’s countenance remained impassive, and he never missed a blink. “The food will be ready shortly, my lord. Shall I also have chambers prepared for our honored guests?”

Morris still hadn’t made eye contact with the seething woman. One might gather he didn’t hold her in high esteem, nor did he feel obligated to cede to her wishes. That he directed his requests to Broden said much about his opinion of the countess.

Kendra liked the man.

He was a good judge of character.

“No, of course you shall not. Of all the absurd suggestions. They won’t be staying, you insolent, presumptuous beef wit.” Lady Montforth all but frothed in her agitation. “I cannot have such uncouth company beneath the same roof as my darlings.”

Her darlings she only ventured to see once a fortnight?

“Ye may go, Morris.” Broden offered an apologetic smile. “And thank ye for yer thoughtfulness. Please do have the chambers prepared.”

An agitated, most unladylike noise very near a growl echoed from the Lady Montforth’s direction.

With a half bow and the veriest raising of his noble brow toward the sulking countess, the butler departed the study.

No sooner had the door closed behind him then Broden turned on her.