Page 86 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“It’s more likely the walk sobered you up.”

Erroll grinned. “The walk was not that long.”

“No,” Ash murmured. “It was not.”

Then he left.

*****

“I promise to shove the table in front of the door while you take Grace up on deck to find Lord Rushton,” Eve negotiated with Lord Somerset. They would read Ravenhall very soon and she needed Grace out of the say so that she could accept his offer of marriage.

He shook his head. “I cannot allow you to stay here alone.”

Good Lord, was he going to be this rigid their entire marriage? “Sir, be reasonable. If you do not leave me behind, that will force Grace to find his lordship on her own.”

His mouth thinned. “She will not.”

Grace rose from her seat at the table across from Eve and glided over to him. When she reached his side, she touched his sleeve with her fingertips and looked up at him through her lashes.

“Of course not, I cannot go about the ship alone.”

Grace turned slightly and looked at Eve. Eve caught Lord Somerset’s eyes flick to Grace’s breasts and her mind registered the small intake of breath Grace had taken that caught his attention. Did Grace realize—A tiny smile touched the corner of Grace’s mouth. She knew!

“Eve, I am certain Lord Somerset will be kind enough to escort us both up on deck.” She looked back at him. “Will you not, my lord?”

He gave a half smile, tender and, to Eve’s surprise, a little sad.

“I am happy to be of service, Miss Crenshaw,” he said.

Eve’s mind jolted. Dear God, Lord Somerset was in love with Grace.

Her mind raced back two days ago when he had prepared a plate of sweet goods for Grace at the restaurant in Belfast, then him escorting her down the street, leaving Eve with Lord Rushton. Hadn’t his fingers lingered a moment too long on hers when he’d helped her from the carriage at the docks? And there was last night, when Lord Rushton’s brother had barged into their room. It had been Grace who Lord Somerset covered with his coat—not Eve.

A wave of sadness deflated her. She’d been a fool. She had refused his offer three times, then when he’d had the chance to compare her to Grace, he had fallen under Grace’s spell without resistance. Eve, too caught up in her misery, failed to recognize the signs. Now she would be forced to marry a man who didn’t care for her, and who—Eve drew a sharp breath—who she could—

“Eve?”

Eve startled at the intrusion of Grace’s voice.

“Are you all right?” Grace asked.

Eve glanced from Grace to Lord Somerset. Both stared at her with concern. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. Just a bit tired.”

Grace seemed uncertain, then said, “Shall we go up on deck with Lord Somerset?”

Eve would have preferred to crawl into bed and never get up, but she had promised to help Grace spend time with Lord Rushton. The plan had been a good one when she hoped to have a few minutes alone with Lord Somerset. Now, however, he would only be wishing for a private moment with Grace.

But that didn’t mean that Grace’s plan to spend time with Lord Rushton was a bad one, she realized. In fact, it was now more imperative than ever that Grace spend as much time with him as possible. Given the chance, it was as likely he would fall in love with Grace as easily as Lord Somerset had. The thought brought an unexpected jab of pain. Eve ignored it and stood.

“I am ready.”