“Bloody hell!” Devlin exploded again at that little tidbit. “You’ve known about that and you still tried to get those two together?”
“I only learned about it the night the horses were stolen. I’ve hardly been matchmaking since that happened,” she added indignantly.
“I beg your pardon, then.”
“As well you should,” she retorted. “And besides, this isn’t a case of wanting to get married and having the earl withholding his approval. It’s a matter ofhaveto get married. The man will just have to see reason about this, and I’m sure you’ll help him to that end.”
“Me?!”
“Certainly. You don’t expect me to do everything, do you?” she asked huffily, then turned on her heel to flounce out.
But she nearly collided with Lachlan, who had come up behind her. Her eyes narrowed on him. “How long have you been standing there, MacGregor?”
“Just,” he replied with a curious look.
“Well, do go in then. But don’t keep my husband long. I don’t want him late for dinner. I’ll be serving a large helping of cro—”
“That’s enough, Megan,” Devlin growled.
She turned and gave him a tight little smile. “Certainly, dearest.”
Lachlan closed the door behind her, remarking, “I wish my Kimber were that agreeable.”
“No, you don’t, MacGregor, believe me you don’t,” Devlin mumbled.
That said, they each recalled, at exactly the same moment,whythey were having this meeting. Lachlan crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. It was a devilish smile, full of anticipation and no small amount of gloating. Devlin leaned back against his desk with a sigh, his own expression mirroring his self-disgust.
“Lord Canston and my stable groom have both been arrested and charged.”
Lachlan stiffened. “Before I could get my hands on him? D’you think that’s fair, mon, considering—?”
“Considering you started the whole bloody thing when you attacked him that morning?” Devlin interrupted. “Yes, I’d say you didn’t need to take him on again, especially when you aren’t quite in any condition for it, and he’s in the best of health, and a bloody Corinthian at that.”
Lachlan started to protest again, but allowed the duke might have the right of it. It wouldn’t be all that satisfying if he ended up the loser again because he wasn’t completely healed from the last bout.
Devlin continued on a different note, “The horses have been recovered.”
“Aye, I was aware o’ that yesterday.”
“There were enough teeth marks to indicate the stallion enjoyed his sojourn in the woods,” Devlin said, his anger rising. “Both mares’ breeding programs have been ruined, of course. Neither was to mate with that particular stallion.”
“D’you think that breaks my heart?”
“No, but it might interest you, since I’m giving you the animals. The stallion is an unsure stud. His offspring tend to be either mediocre or outstanding, so there’s no telling what those mares will produce. But he’s a proven racer. He’s won quite a few championships here in England. In that he’s like my Caesar. I guarantee he’ll beat anything your Highlands have to offer.”
“So you think tae pay me off, d’you?”
“I prefer to think of it as a small amount of amends. Even if you don’t want to breed the animals, that stallion will win you many a purse.”
“IfI take him,” Lachlan replied. “But I dinna want your horses, mon. You’re no’ going tae clear your conscience that easily.”
Devlin stiffened at that. “Then perhaps I’ll give them to Lady Kimberly—as a wedding gift.”
That pointed reminder of the new predicament that Lachlan had got himself in should have put him on the defensive. Instead he laughed, saying, “Dinna be thinking I’m regretting what was done, or feeling guilty for it. Iwanttae marry the lady, St. James. And now I’ve got her agreement, I’ll no’ be giving it up for any reason.”
“Her father may have something to say about that,” Devlin said.
“Dinna fash yourself. I’ll deal wi’ her da. ’Tis no concern o’ yours. And now I’ll be having your apology, or were you thinking you could avoid it?”
