Waking the Princess by Susan King Page A

appeal.
    "My sister is modest about her expertise," John went on. "But I am happy to show it off."
    "Please do, Mr. Blackburn," Aedan said, curious.
    "She reads and speaks Latin, French, Greek, and Gaelic, and she is familiar with Old Irish. She can make sense of any old text, I think. She taught English in a Ladies' School in the Highlands, and she has published some articles of her scholarly work. And she is kind, sensitive, and humble." He smiled at his sister.
    "John, really," Christina said, pinkening.
    "She is a paragon," Amy said coolly.
    "Yet a green young lass for all that," Lady Balmossie said bluntly. "I thought a lady antiquarian would be a crabbit auld thing, like me." She chuckled.
    "Mrs. Blackburn is young, and a married lady," Amy said.
    "A widow," Christina Blackburn corrected softly. Aedan frowned, remembering her discomfort with the topic last night. "After my husband's death, I devoted myself to assisting my uncle with his work."
    "I'm sorry for your loss," Meg murmured.
    "Thank you. Might I say, since my brother was so kind," Christina said, "that John is a brilliant painter."
    "I've heard of the Blackburn family of artists," Meg said. "I own a beautiful seascape by the elder Blackburn, who is a very celebrated artist. Would he perhaps be your father?"
    Christian nodded. "Yes, perhaps it is one of his. I'm glad to hear that you enjoy his work," she murmured.
    "We have three paintings by Blackburn artists here in our own collection," Aedan said.
    Christina blinked at him. "Three?" Her cheeks colored.
    Damn. He had spoken without thinking. She seemed uncomfortable with the topic. "A rather dramatic image of Queen Mary Stuart at her devotions, done by your father, and another historic scene of Robert the Bruce in the front drawing room signed 'Blackburn.' The third is... in my study." He avoided mention of its subject.
    "That one is quite improper," Amy said.
    Mrs. Blackburn cast her brother a frantic look.
    "The one in the drawing room shows Bruce crowned by Isabella of Buchan," Amy said. " That one is very nice."
    "Robert the Bruce and Isabella?" John said. "I painted that one."
    "You, sir?" Aedan smiled. "What a marvelous coincidence to have you here. It's an excellent piece."
    "Thank you, Sir Aedan. I did not realize it was here."
    "John does not keep careful records," Christina said.
    "Aedan, you must ask Mr. Blackburn to paint the walls!" Amy smiled.
    "With bucket and brush?" John gulped.
    Aedan smiled. "There is an unfinished mural in the dining room, started two years ago by a fellow who unfortunately died. Perhaps you would look at it. I wonder if you would be interested in finishing it at some point in time."
    "Mr. Blackburn is a fine artist," Lady Balmossie said, nodding. "He could do a better job than what's there."
    John smiled. "I would be happy to look at it."
    "What wonderful luck!" Amy said. "Would you like to see it now, Mr. Blackburn? I can take you there while Lady Strathlin shows Mrs. Blackburn the library. Aedan, will you come too?"
    "I have a prior engagement with Miss Thistle," he drawled. Hearing her name, the monkey chittered and skimmed down the curtain to leap onto Aedan's shoulder. He rubbed her head.
    "You rogue," Amy teased. "The lairds of Dundrennan must never allow themselves to be smitten, even by a lady monkey. There's a nasty old curse," she explained to the Blackburns.
    "Curse?" Christina Blackburn asked.
    Lady Balmossie leaned toward her. "They say that the lairds o' Dundrennan must never wed for love. 'Tis all nonsense, do ye ask me, but the men in this family like to believe it."
    "Oh!" Christina blinked, clearly uncertain how to answer.
    "It is nonsense, I'm sure," Aedan said, standing, "but it is convenient to leave true love to sentimentalists." He bowed, making light of it, and turned to deposit the monkey on a tall stand, fixing her ankle with a small chain and feeding her an apple slice from a bowl. He turned. "Please excuse me. I have some correspondence that