Page 106 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“How very brave of you,” Grace said.

He laughed. “Not really. As I said, two of Captain Mercantile’s men accompanied me. We and the young men overpowered the four sailors who were guarding the boys.”

“That is, indeed, brave, and no small matter,” Grace insisted.

Eve hadn’t even been aware he’d gone ashore until his brother broke into the room while they were bathing. Other than the short conversation between the earl and his brother while they were there, Eve knew nothing of what happened.

“She is right.” An unwelcome warmth spread through Eve.

Lord Rushton looked at her. “Do you think so?”

She imagined him pointing a pistol at the slavers to save the boys as he had Lord Halifax when he’d saved her, and the warmth intensified. “I do.”

He shrugged. “I had little choice in the matter. My companions took the matter very personally.”

“What?” Eve frowned. “How could they take it any more personally than you?”

“Press gangs prey on the lower classes.”

“But there is nothing to force the upper class to stop them as you did,” she said.

“You couldn’t be more wrong. It was far less trouble to free the boys than face their parents with the news their sons had been kidnapped into slavery.”

The answer was ridiculous, and he was clearly going out of his way to be irritating.

“You are purposely provoking her,” Juliet said, and Eve wanted to kiss her.

She had already decided she liked both girls. The youngest was still a child, but sweet, if not a little spoiled. Juliet was a young woman with a mind to match her brother’s. Eve startled at the thought. When had she decided Lord Rushton had a mind that considered anything beyond the next feminine conquest? Perhaps last night, when she realized that Lord Somerset was in love with Grace. It was the epiphany that brought her to the realization that she had become another of Lord Rushton’s conquests by foolishly falling in love with him.

“She’s right, Rush,” the marchioness said. “Behave.”

A corner of the earl’s mouth twitched and the mischief that appeared in his eyes made Eve feel she was seeing the thirteen-year-old earl instead of the grown man. He looked at her and his eyes darkened, and Eve knew she was once again looking at the man. She returned her attention to her plate. The marchioness was right. She should retire to her room once supper ended.

The door opened and a maid appeared. “Forgive me, laird,” she addressed the marquess, “there is a man here to see you.”

“At this hour? Who is it?” he demanded.

“Lord Tolland.”

Eve gasped in unison with Grace’s, “Papa?”

“It seems our guest list is complete.” Lord Rushton started to rise.

“Sit down,” his father ordered.

“Sir, I owe it to the baron to explain,” Lord Rushton said.

“This is a matter for him and me to discuss,” his father replied. “You have no more say.”

Eve’s heart pounded. How much say did she have?

“Forgive me, my lord,” Grace said. “Surely we should speak to our father. He must be frantic with worry.”

The marquess grunted as he rose. “No doubt. But I will speak with him first. I’ll call for you when we are finished.”

“Sir,” Grace began again, but she was cut off by the marchioness.

“Ladies, we must leave the gentlemen to their business.”