Page 146 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Her mouth parted in surprise. “I never said leave England behind. You have responsibilities. You cannot simply abandon the people who depend on you.”

“I can’t?”

“What about the people who depend on you here?” Jean demanded.

“Maxwell has had a dozen mysterious deaths amongst his herd and we have yet to discover why,” Ash said.

Erroll looked sharply at him. “Only Maxwell’s herd?”

“So far.”

“Then there’s the cottages down south,” Jean said. “We lost half a dozen in a fire, and are still waiting on supplies from the mainland.”

Erroll frowned. “Why has Angus not seen to the supplies?”

“He’s one man,” the marquess said.

“Hence the reason Ash took over,” Erroll said.

“Ash took on the responsibilities because there was no one else.”

“There wasn’t?” Erroll asked.

Jean snorted. “There has always been someone else. But he’s a stubborn fool who refused to come home.”

Erroll stared dumbly and said, “I must be in Norfolk for the harvest. I ordered a thresher.”

“We can return for the harvest,” his father said. “I am very interested in that technology. It won’t be difficult to find a good man to oversee the work there. You did say there were many men looking for work.”

“Let us not forget the press gang,” Ash interjected. “If I have to chase after Johnson, we’ll need even more help.”

Erroll’s chest tightened. “I am at your service.”

“What will the king say?” Ash asked.

Erroll grinned. “Let His Highness come here and say what he will.”

Jean whooped. “About time. You’re a Highlander, man—with noble English blood,” he added with a quick bow to the marchioness.

“It seems you’ve found your home, my lord,” Eve murmured.

“So it does.” Erroll wrapped an arm around his wife, drew her close, and whispered in her ear, “I love you.”

“What’d he say?” Jean demanded. “Damn it, man, speak up.”

She drew back and looked up at him. “What did you say, my lord?”

He smiled down at her and said again, louder, “I love you.” Then he kissed her.

“It’s a damn good thing he finally kissed her,” Jean said. “I thought maybe I would have to do it for him.”

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