To Tame a Highland Earl (42 page)

“
What have you been feeding
them?” the earl asked.

Jean laughed heartily. “I imagine it was all
the young ewes parading about that got them interested. They broke
down the gate and had a dandy time with the ladies.”

“
A female does have that
effect on males.”

Eve suddenly realized he was referring as
much to her as he was to the sheep and blurted, “Good Lord!”

“
He meant it as a
compliment, lass,” Jean said.

Eve’s mouth fell open.

“
I think she’s speechless,”
Jean said.

“
A rare state, I assure
you,” the earl remarked.

Jean grunted. “I imagine so.”

“
I beg your pardon,” Eve
said.

“
I didna’ mean anything by
it,” Jean said, unruffled. “You are a woman, after all.”

Eve looked at the earl. “You did warn me
about your relatives.”

“
Did it do any good?” Jean
asked.

She shook her head. “No. I was
unprepared.”

“
That is only because you
don’t know us,” he said. “A month or two and you will be one of
us.”

Lord Rushton shuddered. “You will scare her
away, Jean.”

Jean raked his gaze down her body. “I dinna’
think so. She looks to be of sturdy stock.”

“
You are not the first to
point that out,” Lord Rushton said.

“
What?” Eve said. “Who said
I was of sturdy stock? Was that my father? Good Lord, that sounds
like something he would say.”

“
A father knows,” Jean said
sagely.

Lord Rushton’s brow shot up. “Is that how you
feel about Felicity?”

“
There’s none sturdier than
my daughter.”

“
She must be nineteen now,”
the earl said. “Is she married yet?”

Jean’s expression darkened. “There have been
some jackals sniffing around, but I chased the beasts off.”

“
I see,” Eve said. “She is
sturdy, but you must protect her.”

Jean shrugged, and said, “Aye,” and the other
men—Lord Rushton included—murmured agreement. “You will see for
yourself,” he added.

“
I look forward to meeting
her,” Eve said.

“
And I look forward to
meeting your first babe the beginning of next year.”

Eve’s insides warmed at the thought of a
child raised amongst such a warm community. “He—or she—will be
pleased to meet you, as well,” she said.

“
This exerts a great deal
of pressure on me,” Lord Rushton said.

“
Not up to the challenge,
lad?” Jean said, then addressed Eve, “Perhaps ye married beneath
yourself. If you find Erroll isn’t up to the task, I will be glad
to—”

“
That will be enough,” the
earl said. “I believe I have things well in hand.”

“
You had better,” Jean
said. “Ravenhall is a short twenty minute ride for me. I can be
there and accommodate before you know it.”

“
I would know it,” Lord
Rushton replied dryly, then looked at her. “I believe I should
whisk you away before it’s too late.”

Jean laughed loudly and slapped him on the
back. “It’s too late already, ye poor bastard. You’re married.”

*****

Eve stared in stunned silence at the letter
she held. Had she realized the letter wasn’t meant for her, she
wouldn’t have read it. But the envelope had been mixed amongst the
RSVPs and notes of congratulations the marchioness had asked her to
read and answer.

The letter was addressed to Lord Rushton from
the Honorable George Wiggins, Esquire. The note was
straightforward. The attorney had paid the sum of two thousand
pounds to redeem Lady Greenwood’s emeralds from a pawnbroker in
London. The note ended with:

Per your direction, I had the jewels
discreetly returned to Lady Greenwood. She asked me to pass on a
note to you, which I have included in this communication.

Eve shifted her gaze to the small envelope
sitting on the secretary. What did Lady Greenwood have to say to
her husband? She picked it up and a hint of expensive perfume
wafted up to her. Eve broke the seal.

Then pulled the note out and read.

My darling Erroll,

You may lay to rest your concerns regarding
my husband. Henry left Town this very day, which means I am
free!

Thank you for redeeming my jewels. You are
wrong. You are kind—the kindest man in the world. I will thank you
properly when you return (just the way you like it), as I did in
Manchester. I am practically giddy with the memory. No worries, I
will be good until you return. Then, I shall be very bad.

Yours,

Laura

Eve reread the words
just as I did in
Manchester
.

Lord Rushton told her that the rumors
concerning Lady Greenwood weren’t true.

She refolded the letter, placed it back in
its envelope along with the letter from the attorney, then set it
on the secretary and folded her hands in her lap. Eve closed her
eyes against the pain, but a picture rose of his powerful body
pounding into Lady Greenwood’s as it had hers only hours ago at the
waterfall.

She choked back a sob and snapped open her
eyes, swiping at the corners to stop the tears. What reason had she
to be hurt? Just because he seemed to have lost his mind with need
when he made love to her didn’t mean he cared for her. He had the
ability to make her feel like the only woman in the world when he
touched her. What more could a wife ask for?

They hadn’t stopped on the way home as he’d
joked about doing. The hour had grown late, and he said it was
better if they reached Ravenhall before his family sent out a
search party. He had seemed to be in the same pleasant mood he’d
been all day, but she now wondered if the talk of children when
they’d joked with his relatives had dampened his spirits.

At a knock on the door, Eve jerked. She
snatched the letter and shoved it beneath the other notes on the
tray, then called, “Come in.”

The door opened and the marchioness entered.
Panic froze Eve in place. Surely the older woman would realize
something was wrong. Eve smiled and rose as she neared.

“
How wonderful to see you,
ma’am.” Eve curtsied.

“
No curtsies in private,
Eve. You are family.” She approached. “Forgive the
intrusion.”

“
You are never an
intrusion,” Eve said.

The marchioness motioned toward the door she
had entered through. “Your father and sister, along with Lord
Somerset, are waiting in the sitting room.”

Eve startled. “Here, in our suite?”

“
Yes. Your father wishes to
speak with you and your sister. He asked me to join
them.”

“
Is everything all right?”
Eve started forward with the marchioness alongside.

Eve paused for her to enter the sitting room
first, then followed. Grace sat on the couch. Lord Somerset and her
father stood.

“
Is something wrong?” Eve
asked her father.

“
No, but I wanted you to
hear what I have to say, along with your sister.”

She glanced at Grace, who shrugged.

“
Lady Rushton,” he said,
“if you and Eve would kindly sit, please.” They joined Grace on the
couch, and he clasped his hands behind his back and looked at his
youngest daughter. “Grace, Lord Somerset has offered for your hand
in marriage.”

Grace’s eyes widened. “What? But I do not
want to marry him.”

“
It is marriage or a
convent.”

“
But why?”

“
Did you think you could
escape the consequences of your role in kidnapping Lord Rushton?”
he asked.

“
Rubbish. There is no harm
to my reputation. I need not do either.”

“
It is one or the other,”
he said in a voice so cold a chill snaked down Eve’s
back.

Grace defiantly shook her head. “I will not
marry him.”

“
You prefer a convent?” he
demanded.

“
I will not enter a
convent, either.”

“
You will.”

“
You cannot make
me.”

His mouth thinned. “This is my fault. I
indulged you. Have you no sense?”

“
He is a viscount. I intend
to marry a marquess or a duke.”

Pain crossed Lord Somerset’s face and Eve’s
heart twisted.

“
This is your mother’s
doing,” their father said. “She has filled your head with
ridiculous notions.”

“
Eve married an earl who
will one day be a marquess. If she can do it, so can I.”

“
There will not be a repeat
of this mess,” their father snapped.

“
Grace,” Eve quickly said,
“you must have known this would happen.” Eve could only wonder that
she hadn’t given it further thought herself, but that, she
realized, had to do with the dark haired earl she’d
married.

“
I did not,” Grace said.
“Forgive me, Lord Somerset, I mean no disrespect, but we will not
suit. Say what you will, Papa. I will not marry him.”

“
Then I will make
arrangement for a convent.”

She snorted. “To what end?”

“
I cannot say,” he replied.
“Perhaps they can teach you what I could not.”

“
Forgive me for
interrupting, Lord Tolland,” the marchioness said. “I understand
your concern, but perhaps this is just a bit of a shock for your
daughter. True, she is as guilty as Rush and Eve for the fix the
girls were in, but she is young, and probably didn’t realize the
real dangers of their scheme. It might be that she needs a little
time to consider Lord Somerset’s offer.”

“
Somerset and I have worked
out the particulars of the marriage contract,” their father
said.

“
Contract?” Grace
exploded.

“
I am speaking of something
more delicate,” the marchioness cut in. “Grace needs to better
understand the man who petitions for her hand. I gather this offer
is quite unexpected. Is that right, my dear?” Lady Rushton looked
at her.

“
It is,” she replied, “but
I will not marry him in any case.”

“
A lady does not refuse a
gentleman without having heard his offer of marriage. You must keep
in mind that your father has your best interests at heart, and
therefore give Lord Somerset an opportunity to present
himself.”

Grace hesitated, then acquiesced with a stiff
nod.

Lady Rushton patted her hand. “Now then,
perhaps you should take a little time for yourself. We shall have
tea in a bit. The pink parlor. That is a favorite of yours, is it
not?”

“
It is a lovely room,
ma’am.”

“
Fine, then. We shall all
adjourn there later with some of our guests. We cannot forget this
is Erroll and Eve’s wedding party.”

Eve’s father bowed. “You are most kind, Lady
Rushton.”

“
Think nothing of it. I was
young once and haven’t forgotten the surprise of an unexpected
marriage contract.”

“
Grace,” their father said,
“perhaps you will allow Lord Somerset to escort you back to your
chambers. I will come along.”

Grace rose and, ever the gentleman, Lord
Somerset offered his arm, but Eve wondered how much he wanted to
escort her anywhere—or whether he still wanted to marry her, given
her outburst.

They left, but the marchioness remained
seated. She blew out a breath. “Your sister is none too happy.”

“
No.” Eve couldn’t repress
a sigh. “She said she knew what she was getting into, but I fear
she did not. It is my fault for concocting the ridiculous
kidnapping plan.”

“
Lord Somerset seems like a
decent man.”

“
I believe he
is.”

“
And he obviously cares for
her.”

“
So you see that as well,”
Eve said.

“
It is difficult to miss.
Your sister might be more fortunate than she realizes. It is rare
that a lady can marry a man who has genuine affection for
her.”

“
So true,” Eve said, and
thought her heart would break. “I must admit, I gave no thought to
her fate.”

“
It has been a hectic few
days for you. How are the notes coming along?”

“
I am nearly finished,” Eve
kept her voice level and forced back the memory of the solicitor’s
letter and Laura Greenwood’s very personal note. “Everyone is so
kind. I am truly touched.”

“
A great many of those who
sent their regards live far away, and many cannot afford the trip.
They are some of the most interesting people on the
island.”

“
I hope to meet them one
day.”

“
I am sure you will. You
and Rush must visit often.”

Eve mentally blanched. Did Lady Rushton
expect them to leave soon? Had Lord Rushton said something to her?
Eve smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I would like that.”

The marchioness laughed. “I certainly hope
so. I fear you will become so busy in London that you will forget
about us here.”

“
I never loved London. I
would much rather live here.”

“
That is not possible. Rush
spends most of his time in
Town
.”

“
Yes,” Eve agreed. “He
loves
Society
.”

“
I don’t know that I would
say he loves
Society
. It is true, a man in his position
cannot help but be involved. However, he will have many other
concerns to keep him occupied now.”