Page 128 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“I doubt seeing the waterfall will—” Eve broke off, suddenly realizing his meaning. “Sir,” she said in a whisper, “you shouldn’t talk that way in public.”

“You had better grow accustomed to it, madam. Folks are likely to figure out what we’re up to when we stay locked in our bedchambers.”

Her stomach felt like jelly. Would she always feel this way with him?

The front door banged open in the hallway and a man declared, “I know he’s here. Where are ye, Rushton?”

Several booted feet approached.

“Are you sure, Jean?” said another man.

“Prepare yourself, madam,” the earl said. “More relatives are about to descend upon us.”

“Aye,” the first man replied, and three large, kilted men appeared in the doorway. “There,” the oldest said. “Phillip was right.”

Lord Rushton stood as the three men approached. When they reached him, the eldest pulled him into a bear hug and the other two followed suit.

“That’s the wife,” the eldest said. “What is a pretty thing like you doing married to a scoundrel like this?”

Before Eve could react, he seized her arm and pulled her up and into his bear-like warmth. Strong fingers grasped her arm.

“Jean,” Lord Rushton said, and gently freed her from the big man’s embrace, “at least let me introduce the lady before you maul her.”

“You’ve been in England too long, lad,” the man said. “I just introduced myself.”

“Eve, I would like to present my cousin Jean, and his son.” The earl nodded to the young man on Jean’s left. The boy nodded. “And this is Ferguson and his nephew Boyd.” He motioned to the young man on Jean’s right. “Gentlemen, my wife, Lady Rushton.”

“Lady Rushton my arse,” Jean burst out. “Eve, ye said.” He looked at the earl. “We have no’ had a chance to make it to Ravenhall. We had a bunch of randy rams early last autumn that got the ewes with babes. Damn things. So many lambs were born early this year.”

“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.”