Page 57 of Wicked Highland Heroes

She gave an elegant cant of her head. “Of course. But you still would have shot him.”

The girl would choose this moment to argue logic. “Perhaps,” he said, “but we three—we five—wouldn’t have ended up on this ship.”

She laughed. “I imagine we would have found ourselves together in some fashion. Eve is quite determined not to marry you.”

That she was. He clasped his hands behind his back. “I have a few instructions for you ladies.”

“Instructions?” the younger asked, but the elder cast him a suspicious look.

“You are not to leave this room. There are no locks on any of the doors aboard ship, so Oscar,” he nodded toward the brute, who stood nearest the door, “will remain stationed outside your room to ensure no one enters.”

“Or leaves,” Miss Eve Crenshaw said under her breath.

There it was. “Forgive me, madam, if I am skittish in regards to your ability to follow orders, but there is no room for shenanigans on this voyage. I do not wish a repeat of this morning.”

“None of these sailors will try to kidnap me,” she said.

Erroll stopped cold. “No. They would simply finish the job Halifax started.”

Her mouth parted in a silent gasp.

“We shall do exactly as you say,” Grace Crenshaw said. “But how are we to stay in this tiny, stale room for the next three days?”

“I will arrange for you to take walks, but you will be escorted by either Oscar or Lord Somerset.”

“What about you?” she asked. “Surely, you do not plan to abandon us the entire voyage?”

“Count yourselves fortunate I did not abandon you in Gretna Green.”

“Lord Rushton,” Eve said, “at this point, you must admit that the three of us are equally to blame for this mess. It really is unfair to snipe at Grace.”

Hers was a rational and perceptive response. Why did that make him nervous? “Not wholly unfair,” he said, “but you have a point.” Erroll gave a small bow to the younger sister. “Forgive me, Miss Crenshaw. Now, let us begin anew. This ship is a collier, a cargo ship, and such vessels are manned by rough characters. You two ladies are not to leave this cabin without the escort of myself, Somerset, or Oscar, and only with my permission. I must know your whereabouts at all times. This, I promise, is for your safety. Understand?”

Both women murmured agreement, which didn’t allay his concerns. “I understand this is a cramped space, and will arrange for two walks a day.”

“Do you really expect someone to accost us?” Eve asked.

“The crew could be exemplary. But I do not know them.”

“If we could ask a favor,” she said. “Does the captain perhaps have any books we might borrow? It will be difficult doing nothing but staring at the walls.”

“That is a reasonable request.” Too reasonable, in fact. “I will inquire.”

“May we ask where you will be staying, my lord?”

“We gentlemen will sleep with the sailors.”

Her brow furrowed, but she said nothing. Surely she wasn’t concerned for their comfort or safety—especially not his.

“The ship will make one stop in Belfast to unload cargo,” he continued.

“Belfast,” Grace said in an excited voice, and Erroll realized what she had in mind.

“Miss Crenshaw—”

Oscar groaned.

“Too late, my lord.” the elder sister shook her head. “Grace will badger you into an early grave if you do not capitulate.”