Page 82 of The Highlander Is All That

“Easy.” Mary grinned. “Pardon me, Your Grace, but does your husband happen to have a tail?”

“Or horns?” Victoria added.

Anne chuckled. “You might as well ask if the other rumors about him are true.”

Three heads whipped around. “What other rumors?” Victoria breathed.

Mary plopped down on the bed. “Oh, do tell.”

Anne frowned. “I am not spreading gossip.”

“Too late. You have to tell us now,” Victoria said, “or we might stare at him.”

Their eldest sister shook her head. “One does not stare at a duke.”

“They do if he has horns.”

Elizabeth grinned at Victoria. “Come, Anne. You must share.”

“Oh, all right,” she huffed, but there was a glimmer in her eye. “There was one rumor that he is an author.”

Mary gasped. “Never say it.”

Victoria humphed. “Imagine that. A duke of the realm involved in something as vulgar as publishing.”

“It is only a rumor.”

“And the rest?” Clearly, Mary was out for blood.

“Well . . . Some say his cousin is actually his sister.”

Mary and Victoria gaped at each other. “How can that be?” they asked in tandem, but Elizabeth had figured it out. Apparently illicit affaires ran in the Moncrieff family. “That is scandalous.”

Anne shrugged. “Perhaps. But there is no doubt he is the heir—the family birthmark, don’t you know—so no one really cares.”

“Is there more?” Mary pressed.

“A bit. Here and there. About his association with known criminals and pirates—”

“Oh!” Victoria threw herself back on the bed into a pile of crinoline and lace, in a paroxysm of scandalized delight. “I cannot wait to meet this man!”

“Do you suppose there will be pirates in attendance?” Victoria asked, fluffing her hair.

“It is a good thing he’s married, or our dear aunt would never allow us to go tonight,” Mary said.

“She might,” Elizabeth responded. “Word is, everyone who is anyone is going to be there.”

“He’s been completely accepted by the ton,” Anne reminded them. “Despite his spotty past.”

“Of course,” Mary said.

“Of course,” Victoria parroted.

Elizabeth had to smile at their enthusiasm. It was clear her younger sisters were over the moon for the festivities, and to be honest, she was excited as well.

Who knew what delights this evening could hold?

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