Page 53 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“He is likely to live,” Erroll interrupted. “The man doesn’t have the good grace to die like a man.”

“You should pray he lives. A murder charge is no small matter. How in God’s name did you discover he kidnapped me?”

“Ahh, so it was kidnapping.” Her eyes narrowed and he quickly added, “I heard a rumor that you were seen with the earl in his coach.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh dear.”

“Papa will have your head this time,” the younger sister said.

“Yes, he will.”[TS1]

“There is one way to solve all our problems,” Miss Grace Crenshaw said. “I will marry Lord Rushton, and Eve will marry Lord Somerset. He has asked for her hand a dozen times.”

“Not a dozen.” Eve cast an embarrassed glance at him, then Erroll.

“I would be honored to marry Miss Crenshaw,” Somerset said.

“Surely you see the wisdom in the plan,” Miss Grace Crenshaw never took her eyes off Erroll. “Papa has already ordered that you marry one of us.”

“I believe it was your sister he ordered me to marry,” Erroll said.

“That was his second order,” she said. “He did intend you marry me first. He cannot very well shoot my husband.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Oscar said. “You father doesn’t like being disobeyed.”

“Nonsense,” the younger sister said. “If Eve marries Lord Somerset, then there will be no need for papa to be angry on any account.”

Halifax’s second joined Erroll. “Seems ye had better be on your way.”

“Has Halifax died?” Erroll demanded.

Graham shook he head. “Nay, but you know how it is. There is always one busy body who wants to be in the thick of things. One such fellow sounded the alarm after the duel was finished.”

“At least he stayed for the show,” Erroll said. “How long before the sheriff arrives?”

“Word has only been sent, but if you leave now you will have an hour’s head start,” Graham replied.

Erroll grasped Miss Eve Crenshaw’s elbow and hurried her through the field and back to Halifax’s carriage. Erroll opened the carriage door.

Miss Crenshaw pulled free of his hold. “You will make better time without us. If you ride at a gallop, you can reach the border in minutes.

“You might think twice about going to England,” Graham said. “The sheriff is English.”

Erroll looked sharply at him. “When did Scotland start employing English law enforcement officers?”

The man grinned. “This is Gretna. English come here to escape their own marriage restrictions. We see our fair share of trouble from angry fathers. The Crown decided they were losing too many fair maidens to the scoundrels we let marry them.”

“We cannot possibly outrun him in a fully loaded carriage,” Miss Crenshaw said. “You must flee on your own.”

“I do not flee,” he said.

“For heaven’s sake, forget your pride and go.”

“You might consider a ship,” Graham said. “Fishing vessels dock at Silloth.”

“Thank you,” Erroll said. “But not Silloth. If the tide is low, we would not be able to sail until high tide.”

Graham nodded. “Aye. You may want to go direct to Allonby or Maryport. The trip is longer, but you are sure to find a ship captain willing to take you at one of those ports.