Page 129 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Lord Rushton shuddered. “You will scare her away, Jean.”

Jean raked his gaze down her body. “I dinna’ think so. She looks to be of sturdy stock.”

“You are not the first to point that out,” Lord Rushton said.

“What?” Eve said. “Who said I was of sturdy stock? Was that my father? Good Lord, that sounds like something he would say.”

“A father knows,” Jean said sagely.

Lord Rushton’s brow shot up. “Is that how you feel about Felicity?”

“There’s none sturdier than my daughter.”

“She must be nineteen now,” the earl said. “Is she married yet?”

Jean’s expression darkened. “There have been some jackals sniffing around, but I chased the beasts off.”

“I see,” Eve said. “She is sturdy, but you must protect her.”

Jean shrugged, and said, “Aye,” and the other men—Lord Rushton included—murmured agreement. “You will see for yourself,” he added.

“I look forward to meeting her,” Eve said.

“And I look forward to meeting your first babe the beginning of next year.”

Eve’s insides warmed at the thought of a child raised amongst such a warm community. “He—or she—will be pleased to meet you, as well,” she said.

“This exerts a great deal of pressure on me,” Lord Rushton said.

“Not up to the challenge, lad?” Jean said, then addressed Eve, “Perhaps ye married beneath yourself. If you find Erroll isn’t up to the task, I will be glad to—”

“That will be enough,” the earl said. “I believe I have things well in hand.”

“You had better,” Jean said. “Ravenhall is a short twenty minute ride for me. I can be there and accommodate before you know it.”

“I would know it,” Lord Rushton replied dryly, then looked at her. “I believe I should whisk you away before it’s too late.”

Jean laughed loudly and slapped him on the back. “It’s too late already, ye poor bastard. You’re married.”

*****

Eve stared in stunned silence at the letter she held. Had she realized the letter wasn’t meant for her, she wouldn’t have read it. But the envelope had been mixed amongst the RSVPs and notes of congratulations the marchioness had asked her to read and answer.

The letter was addressed to Lord Rushton from the Honorable George Wiggins, Esquire. The note was straightforward. The attorney had paid the sum of two thousand pounds to redeem Lady Greenwood’s emeralds from a pawnbroker in London. The note ended with:

Per your direction, I had the jewels discreetly returned to Lady Greenwood. She asked me to pass on a note to you, which I have included in this communication.

Eve shifted her gaze to the small envelope sitting on the secretary. What did Lady Greenwood have to say to her husband? She picked it up and a hint of expensive perfume wafted up to her. Eve broke the seal.

Then pulled the note out and read.

My darling Erroll,

You may lay to rest your concerns regarding my husband. Henry left Town this very day, which means I am free!

Thank you for redeeming my jewels. You are wrong. You are kind—the kindest man in the world. I will thank you properly when you return (just the way you like it), as I did in Manchester. I am practically giddy with the memory. No worries, I will be good until you return. Then, I shall be very bad.

Yours,