Page 15 of The Lyon and the Lass

As they made their way to the steps of the townhouse, a carriage pulled up where their driver had just left. Lord Allenby jumped from the carriage, waving papers in his hand. “I have documents here that require my niece to appear before a panel of judges with regard to this false marriage.”

Kerrigan took one look at the man and swung his fist at his face. The crunch of bone indicated a broken nose. He landed on his bottom on the sidewalk and held his nose while blood trickled down his lips.

“You broke my nose,” he said, sounding surprised and somewhat petulant.

“Aye, I did. Now take yer papers and yer panels and shove them… Well, I guess ye doona have to think too hard to ken where I suggest you shove them.”

Kerrigan straightened his jacket as he returned to Christine’s side, who looked at her uncle in horror. “Wife, are ye ready?”

She nodded and he moved her forward while she continued to stare over her shoulder at her uncle, blood running down his face.

Chapter Eight

“Ihave noidea what those papers and panels mean except that we have to leave for Scotland today.”

Christine twisted her fingers in her lap as Kerrigan paced in front of her. She was still reeling from watching him swing his fist at her uncle. “We have to wait to hear from Mr. Kendall.”

He stopped, placing his hands on his hips. “I have no idea what stunt yer uncle will pull next, and I have no intention of waiting here until we find out. I suggest we go to Kendall’s office now and get as much straightened out as we can. Then leave.”

“Won’t Uncle Carl just come after us?”

“Mayhap. But he will be inmycountry, withmylaws. He can wave around all the papers he wants to, but they most likely will mean no’hing in Scotland.”

Suddenly energized, she hopped up. “Yes. I agree.”

Kerrigan had Stevens secure another hackney for them, and, watching their surroundings carefully, he escorted her down the steps. Her insides were twisted. Fear of her uncle, fear of what he could do, fear of facing what she’d known was to happen—her new life in another country with a husband she barely knew, and people she’d yet to meet, who might not accept an English wife for their laird.

Mr. Kendall’s secretary informed them that the solicitor was out of the office but was expected back shortly. She and Kerrigan decided to wait and made themselves comfortable. There seemed to be nothing else to do.

The three of them sat in silence, the ticking of the clock in the corner the only sound until footsteps broke the quiet and the door opened. Mr. Kendall took one look at them and said, “You must leave as quickly as possible.”

They stood and followed Mr. Kendall into his office. They took seats in front of the heavy oak desk, and he sat behind it. “Your uncle has managed to find a few cohorts to join him in this ridiculous objection to your marriage.”

“Aye, we are aware of it, which is why we are here. How close are ye to finishing up whatever business ye need to do?”

“Finished. As soon as I received notice that Lord Allenby was serving papers on you, I went to the bank and had them finish up the last of the steps. As of now you are free to go. The money has been transferred into an account bearing your name, Laird, and will be available at the bank you chose to use in Scotland.” He reached across the desk and handed him a rolled-up document.

Christine breathed a sigh of relief. There was no doubt that Uncle Carl was absolutely livid after his altercation with Kerrigan. She’d been subjected to some of his temper tantrums and knew he could get dangerous.

“I took the liberty of withdrawing funds for your travels.” He pulled a bag from his jacket pocket and handed it to Kerrigan.” He then turned to Christine, a soft smile on his face. “I have known you since you were a babe, Lady Lindsay. Your father was a wonderful man, who always wanted the best for you.” He glanced at Kerrigan. “I believe his wish has been granted.”

With tears in her eyes, Christine and Kerrigan left the office. Once settled in yet another hackney, Kerrigan said, “We will waste no time. Pack up as quickly as ye can and we will leavenow. We can stop on the road at an inn right outside of London that I’m familiar with where we can stay the night and rent a carriage to take us all the way to Scotland.”

“How will we get to the inn?”

Kerrigan ran his fingers through his hair. “I have my horse, Fergus, with me that I rode to London, so he will have to carry the both of us.”

A sense of urgency started her heart thumping. Once the hackney came to a rolling stop, Kerrigan hopped out, paid the driver, and ushered Christine up the steps. “Pack lightly, lass, while I go to the mews and get Fergus ready.”

Christine raced upstairs, throwing a few things into Kerrigan’s satchel. She would be arriving at her new home as a pauper with very little clothing. Not wishing to part with her scented soaps and oils, she sacrificed a second pair of shoes to be able to smell good.

Kerrigan entered the room and headed to the satchel. “The horse is ready, so as soon as ye’re finished we’re leaving.” He threw a few items into the bag and said, “I’ve already told Stevens we would be leaving now. He has been instructed that if your uncle comes back to the townhouse to hold him off by pretending we are still in London.”

She nodded, her heart continuing to pound. She was even more frightened than she’d been when she’d dropped from her bedchamber window. Now she had more to lose. A husband she was fond of, and a chance at happiness.

After handing Stevenscoins for himself and the other servants in the townhouse, Kerrigan hustled Christine down the steps to the horse standing in front of the building, ready for them. Hesecured the satchel onto the animal, tossed his wife up onto the saddle and jumped up behind her. Wrapping his arm around her waist, hugging her close, he headed north, leaving London behind.

The sky had darkened by the time they’d reached The Grouse and Bear Inn. He’d stayed there on his way to London and found the beds to be comfortable, the food tasty, and the innkeeper and his wife jovial and helpful.