Page 59 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“I wish I knew,” the elder sister muttered.

“Really, Eve,” her sister recriminated. “You, sir, were defending Eve’s honor when you challenged Lord Halifax to a duel. Of course, by the time we return to England, everyone will know what happened but, as you and I will be married, everyone will understand what a noble thing you did in protecting your sister-in-law’s honor. Papa will be quite proud, Eve’s reputation will be saved, and all our problems will be solved.”

Somerset laughed.

Oscar muttered something unintelligible.

The elder sister stared. “She almost makes it sound plausible.”

“She does,” Erroll agreed.

“Of course it is plausible,” Grace said. “You and I are meant for each other, my lord.”

“Meant for each other?” he blurted, then couldn’t help asking, “Why do you think so?”

“For many reasons, my lord. My beauty will compliment you in such a way that makes the envy of Society. This will, of course, guarantee that your heir will be a testament to you. I am well trained as hostess, so you will always shone in the best light, and you may rest easy that I will never take you to task for having a life—which means I would never embarrass you.”

Like Laura Greenwood had her husband?[TS2]

“I am exactly the kind of wife you need,” she finished.

And she was, he realized in astonishment. She had all the proper qualities and understood her duty as wife to a man like him. She only lacked the one basic element he demanded from his wife: honesty.

This realization—along with the day’s events—frustrated him all the more. “Forgive me, Miss Crenshaw, we have all agreed to be friends—” Erroll stopped and looked at the other two men “—we have agreed?”

“Indeed,” Somerset said.

The brute gave a small bow. “As you say, my lord.”

“I am gratified you are on our side, Oscar. You as well, Somerset, but I cannot forget that Oscar brought me down with one heavy blow. I had not thought I was that old just yet.”

“It wasn’t easy,” Oscar offered in consolation.

“That helps,” Erroll said, then returned his attention to Miss Grace Crenshaw. “We have all agreed to be friends, so I won’t take you to task. But I haven’t forgotten that you lied about me.”

She shrugged. “It was an innocent fib.”

“Pray, do not plead innocence. I dislike fools as much as liars.”

“I daresay the ladies you compromised would say you have been less than honest,” she retorted.

“They may say what they will,” he replied. “But I never promised them anything, and they were not innocents to be compromised.”

“When a gentleman takes liberties, it is implied that he intends to marry the lady.”

He laughed. “Is that what your mother told you? If you believe that then you are naïve. Though I am beginning to suspect that is not the case.”

“Sir—”

“Enough,” Erroll said, in no mood for further argument.

The full weight of their situation—and the unexpected knowledge of what he might want in a wife—pounded into him like Thor’s hammer.