Page 31 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“I think you flatter yourself.”

“I do not care for threats, Rushton.”

“I don’t blame you,” Erroll replied. “I care nothing for them, either. Neither do I make threats.”

“What business is this of yours?” Halifax demanded.

Erroll sighed. “None.”

“Then we understand one another.”

“Sadly, we do not.”

“Then allow me to clarify,” Halifax said. “Do not interfere in my affairs.”

“Affairs?” Miss Crenshaw repeated, and Erroll silently groaned. He’d known that would be the word to prod the lady from her cooperative silence.

“You would do well to keep your fiancé in check, Rushton.”

“How dare you?” Miss Crenshaw seethed.

“No need to worry, my dear,” Erroll interjected. The lady was going to get him into more trouble than he was already in. “Neville is no more a fool than I. He is well aware that I am an even better shot than Lord Gallagher.”

“Is that a challenge?”

Erroll didn’t care for the feral tone in the man’s voice. “A reminder,” he said. “Really, Halifax, what do you want with a girl barely out of the schoolroom?” He regretted the question the moment it left his mouth. He knew exactly what the man wanted with a young girl.

“I did nothing you have not done many times over,” Halifax said.

“You are misinformed,” Erroll said. “I have never seduced a girl of seventeen.”

“You were never caught seducing a girl of seventeen.”

“As I said, you have been misinformed. I do not seduce virgins.”

“No.” Halifax shifted his gaze onto Miss Crenshaw. “You have no such luck. I, on the other hand, would never be foolish enough to get caught in a woman’s bedchamber.”

“Very wise on your part,” Erroll replied. “Lady Gallagher’s father would not have waited for a dawn appointment, but would have shot you on the spot.”

“You know very well about being shot on the spot, do you not?”

Erroll laughed. “Indeed I do. Fortunately, Miss Crenshaw was not trying to kill me. Lord Gallagher, however, would put a bullet between your eyes.”

“His precious daughter is none the worse for wear,” Halifax snapped.

“I am relieved to hear that,” Erroll said. “Now, if you will excuse us, Miss Crenshaw and I will resume our walk.”

He clasped her hand and slipped it into the crook of his arm.

Halifax gave a derisive snort. “Heaven help the man who interferes with your pleasure.”

Erroll paused and looked at him. “I see we do understand one another, after all.”

“My lord,” Miss Crenshaw said. “Please.”

Erroll broke his stare and looked at her. “Of course, my dear.” Without another look at the earl, he led her into the garden.

Inside the private shadows of the hedges, Erroll slowed. They’d had two interruptions already, and he was frustrated enough to go after Neville and shoot him just for sport. He wondered what else could go wrong, then cut off the thought. The way night was unfolding, a third surprise could find him shanghaied on a ship bound for China.