Page 130 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Laura

Eve reread the words just as I did in Manchester.

Lord Rushton told her that the rumors concerning Lady Greenwood weren’t true.

She refolded the letter, placed it back in its envelope along with the letter from the attorney, then set it on the secretary and folded her hands in her lap. Eve closed her eyes against the pain, but a picture rose of his powerful body pounding into Lady Greenwood’s as it had hers only hours ago at the waterfall.

She choked back a sob and snapped open her eyes, swiping at the corners to stop the tears. What reason had she to be hurt? Just because he seemed to have lost his mind with need when he made love to her didn’t mean he cared for her. He had the ability to make her feel like the only woman in the world when he touched her. What more could a wife ask for?

They hadn’t stopped on the way home as he’d joked about doing. The hour had grown late, and he said it was better if they reached Ravenhall before his family sent out a search party. He had seemed to be in the same pleasant mood he’d been all day, but she now wondered if the talk of children when they’d joked with his relatives had dampened his spirits.

At a knock on the door, Eve jerked. She snatched the letter and shoved it beneath the other notes on the tray, then called, “Come in.”

The door opened and the marchioness entered. Panic froze Eve in place. Surely the older woman would realize something was wrong. Eve smiled and rose as she neared.

“How wonderful to see you, ma’am.” Eve curtsied.

“No curtsies in private, Eve. You are family.” She approached. “Forgive the intrusion.”

“You are never an intrusion,” Eve said.

The marchioness motioned toward the door she had entered through. “Your father and sister, along with Lord Somerset, are waiting in the sitting room.”

Eve startled. “Here, in our suite?”

“Yes. Your father wishes to speak with you and your sister. He asked me to join them.”

“Is everything all right?” Eve started forward with the marchioness alongside.

Eve paused for her to enter the sitting room first, then followed. Grace sat on the couch. Lord Somerset and her father stood.

“Is something wrong?” Eve asked her father.

“No, but I wanted you to hear what I have to say, along with your sister.”

She glanced at Grace, who shrugged.

“Lady Rushton,” he said, “if you and Eve would kindly sit, please.” They joined Grace on the couch, and he clasped his hands behind his back and looked at his youngest daughter. “Grace, Lord Somerset has offered for your hand in marriage.”

Grace’s eyes widened. “What? But I do not want to marry him.”

“It is marriage or a convent.”

“But why?”

“Did you think you could escape the consequences of your role in kidnapping Lord Rushton?” he asked.

“Rubbish. There is no harm to my reputation. I need not do either.”

“It is one or the other,” he said in a voice so cold a chill snaked down Eve’s back.

Grace defiantly shook her head. “I will not marry him.”

“You prefer a convent?” he demanded.

“I will not enter a convent, either.”

“You will.”