Page 69 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Eve felt a headache looming. “Oscar, fetch his lordship before I take this piece of coal on my plate and stuff it down your throat.”

Oscar snorted, then left.

When the door closed behind him, Eve said to her sister, “So you told Oscar you wouldn’t return to Manchester? Very clever.”

“You don’t give him enough credit. He saw what you refuse to admit.”

Eve suddenly wondered if she was doing Lord Rushton an injustice. Grace wasn’t in the habit of lying, but the lie that had gotten them into this mess was fueled by a nearly fanatical desire to become the Marchioness of Rushton. Her willingness to do almost anything to attain her goal was no better than being the liar Lord Rushton thought her to be.

“So you will spin me in your web, consequences be damned?” Eve demanded.

Grace gave her a critical look. “You knew the risks when you had Oscar kidnap Lord Rushton, as did I when I agreed to the scheme. You must accept the consequences and not expect me to change my course of action.”

Eve stared. “Your course of action? Grace, we’re in a serious muddle.”

“Indeed we are, which is why the earl will have to take action.”

“He has already taken action. What if he has to flee the Continent?”

“That would be a dire turn of events,” Grace admitted.

“You might well be ruined,” Eve said.

“No, though you would be.”

“I am ruined already.”

Grace smoothed back a lock of hair that had escaped its pins. “If you marry Lord Somerset, you will avoid ruination.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t wish myself off on him, particularly after these past few days.” But that wasn’t going to stop her from accepting his marriage proposal the first chance she got.

“What are you talking about?” Grace said. “Lord Somerset would be fortunate to have you.”

Eve was startled by her sister’s compliment. “I am not so sure he would agree,” she said slowly.

“That would make him a fool. But I don’t think Lord Somerset is a fool. He has offered for your hand three times. He obviously has good taste.”

Eve snorted. “Well, good taste and good sense are two different things.”

*****

Erroll halted in front of the ladies’ cabin, where Oscar stood sentry. “Should I ask why they sent for me?” he asked the brute.

“They will tell you,” Oscar replied.

“You are no help,” Erroll said.

“No.”

“Back to being a man of few words, eh?” Erroll asked.

“This is your ride, m’lord.”

“I was dragged into it, if you recall.”

“You did your part.”

“As I am sure they will remind me.” Erroll knocked on the door and Miss Eve Crenshaw bade him enter. He entered and closed the door behind him.