Page 453 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Montagu swore under his breath. “I assume no one else knows, or I would have heard the gossip by now.”

“Henry was with me when I discovered them, but he can be trusted. Speak with her Montagu.”

He sighed. “I will, though what more I can say I do not know.”

“Tell her that a man in love will not—cannot—release the woman he loves.” Nicholas shifted and looked in his eyes. “Tell her, if I am to live in Hell, it will be with her by my side.”

* * *

Josephine sat at her desk staring at the letter she’d been trying to write for the last hour when there came a commanding knock on the door. She thought of Nicholas and a frisson of sensual awareness sent gooseflesh prickling along her arm before good sense told her that Nick would never be so improper as to come to her bedchamber. Even if he did, that was the last thing she wanted. No, it was the very thing she wanted, but it would only give him the reason he needed to insist they marry immediately.

“Come in,” she called. The door opened and her father entered. Josephine rose. “Papa, is everything all right?”

“Of course. Can’t a father visit his daughter without something being wrong?”

“Yes.” She laughed. “But I expect that isn’t the case.”

He crossed to her and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

He glanced at her desk. “Writing Cecile, I see.”

“Yes. I have been remiss.”

“I am sure she understands, and she is busy with her first son.”

Josephine motioned to the settee near the window and they sat down. “I haven’t seen her since she married. That has been two years. When might we visit them?”

“I imagine after you and Nicholas are married you will go. He tells me he plans to spend most of his time at Whitehaven. That is but a day’s ride from Cecile at Enrilth Castle. The two of you can see a great deal of one another.”

Josephine’s heart fell. Asking to visit Cecile had been an impulse, but the notion carried with it a great deal of hope. “That is some ways off,” she said. “Why not go ourselves?”

He gave her a gentle smile. “Not so far off that the trip north would be worthwhile.”

“Two months is ample time,” she said. Though not nearly ample enough.

“You and your mother have much planning yet to do for the wedding.” He paused, and she knew the reason for his visit was at hand. “Lass, I could not help noticing you’re still angry with Nicholas.”

“I am not angry with him,” she blurted.

“No? The marriage contract is signed, banns are read, and the wedding is two months away, yet you continue to snub him as you did when he first returned. I understood it then, at least somewhat, but now? Why, lass?”

“I made it clear I signed the contract under duress.”

Her father nodded. “So you said. But your mother and I both see how you look at him. And there’s no missing the way his eyes follow you the moment you enter the room.”

“I-I don’t know what you mean.”

“Nay? Are you saying you don’t know he loves you?”

“Even if he does that does not mean I have to love him back,” she said with heat.

“No,” her father agreed. “But you do. However, while your behavior toward him is extreme, we have noticed that you are not yourself.”

“That is ridiculous,” she said.

He shook his head. “You stopped going to parties. You seldom entertain friends. You quit asking to see friends as you just did Cecile—I am well aware, by the way, that your request to see her is an effort to avoid Nicholas.”

“Papa, honestly, you have an overactive imagination. I have simply grown tired of parties and female prattle.”