Page 105 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“He will have complete autonomy?”

“He is capable,” his father replied.

“That he is. There is not much else to say, then.”

“Not necessarily. If your venture goes well in Norfolk, I would like to try it here on Mull.”

Erroll leaned an elbow on the table. “I am not certain there is a great need. Here there is plenty of land to plant.”

“But many men have left for Australia and the Colonies. Others were taken against their will.”

Erroll nodded. “Better opportunities.”

“Exactly. We must give our men a reason to stay. Perhaps this new trade will be an incentive.”

“Perhaps. Bring Ash when you come to Norfolk for the harvest. The two of you can learn as much about this new brand of farming as I.”

His father hesitated, then nodded. “If you think that is best.”

“You and Ash can easily run things here. I would only be in the way.”

*****

The maid set a plate of poached chicken on the dining room table in front of Eve, shuffled left, put a plate in front of Lord Somerset, then set a third in front of his father at the head of the table. Eve lifted her fork and rooted the food around on her plate.

“Are you all right, my dear?”

Eve smiled at Lady Rushton, who sat at the other end of the table with Lord Somerset to her left. “I am fine, thank you.” But she feared she wouldn’t be after tomorrow. Lady Rushton had informed them they would be attending church in the morning. Grace was as excited as a girl in her first season, for, like Eve, she knew the marchioness hadn’t invited them simply to sing praises to God. There was only one reason for a church invitation: a marriage announcement was to be heard.

“Eve doesn’t travel well,” Grace said.

Eve looked at Grace, sitting across the table, and frowned before realizing that Grace was offering sound reason for her sour mood.

“Forgive me,” Lady Rushton said. “I should have realized you would be tired and had a tray sent to your room.”

“Not at all, ma’am,” Eve replied. “It’s a pleasure having supper with you.”

“We are so glad you did,” said Camilla, who sat between Grace and Lord Rushton.

“We don’t usually have supper in the dining room,” the marchioness said. “But four guests almost constitutes a party.”

The earl grinned. “Mother does love her parties.”

“No teasing from you, Rush,” she said, then addressed Eve, “Perhaps you should retire after supper. You did have a very trying trip. Rush tells us you encountered a press gang here on Mull.”

“I don’t think they were any real threat to us, ma’am.” Eve recalled Lord Rushton’s brother forcing his way into their room. Dear God, please say the earl did not tell his mother that tale. “Poor Oscar received the only hurt and, thankfully, that was not serious,” she said.

“The brigands couldn’t have appreciated Rush freeing the young men they had kidnapped,” Lady Rushton said.

Eve looked sharply at the earl. “You stopped the pirates from kidnapping men?”

“My mother gives me too much credit. I was one man among three who freed the lads.”

“Neither of you said anything about this.” Eve stared across the table at Lord Somerset. He, at least, should have related the story.

“I stayed aboard,” he replied. “Rushton led the rescue. He can recount the tale.”

“It is a tedious story, I assure you,” the earl said.