Page 87 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Chapter Fourteen

Erroll leaned against the railing as he breathed deep of the sea air and stared out at the water from the poop deck. Mull lay off the starboard side and the mainland filled the port view, but he had eyes only for the channel straight ahead. He wasn’t the sailor Val had been, but he hadn’t realized how much he missed the tang of salt air and the wind on his face. He thought that one day he and Val might cross the Atlantic to the Colonies or sail to Australia just for the sheer joy of it. Instead, Erroll was returning to Mull, and his brother’s empty grave.

Long suppressed fury shot through Erroll. He thrust away from the railing. The desire to turn the ship around sparked a fever he would have given a fortune to have been able to indulge. He should have taken Ash and gone after Captain Johnson. Catching the slaver was probably the only thing that would convince Ash to leave Scotland. Going after the brigand was an excellent excuse to immediately turn around once they entered port.

“Beg pardon, sir.”

Erroll turned at the sound of Captain Mercantile’s voice and frowned at Somerset, Grace and Eve Crenshaw standing behind him.

“The ladies have paid us a visit,” the captain said.

“So I see.” The captain stood aside and Erroll said, “Ladies.”

Grace Crenshaw left Somerset’s side and approached Erroll. She looked up at him through her lashes and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “When will we arrive to Tobermory, my lord?”

“If the weather holds, we will dock sometime this evening.”

“How marvelous. Then there is a good chance we will arrive at Ravenhall tonight.”

He shook his head. “The roads are too treacherous at night. We will leave early tomorrow morning.”

“Of course,” she demurred. “Since we will remain in the cabin another night, I would love a turn around the deck.”

“The evening air is bracing,” he said. “You ladies will enjoy the walk.”

“Eve isn’t interested. Lord Somerset insisted she could not be left alone, so she agreed to come with us while he delivered me to you.”

“And so we have done.” Eve turned and started back across the poop deck toward the stairs.

Somerset started after her.

“Just a minute.” Erroll started forward, jerking his arm from Grace Crenshaw’s hold. Erroll hurried past Somerset and grasped her arm.

She turned and looked at him. “Is something wrong, my lord?”

No, but something was definitely wrong with her. “Nothing at all. I simply want to accompany you downstairs. Somerset can take a turn on the deck with your sister.”

“But, Lord Rushton,” Grace said. “We’ve had no time to talk.”

“Lord Somerset has been kind enough to stay below with you ladies this evening. A little exercise will do him good.” Erroll didn’t wait for a reply, but grasped Eve Crenshaw’s hand and started forward.

She glanced over her shoulder. When she looked back, Erroll caught the pain on her face before she looked down. What was wrong? He looked back and saw Somerset with Grace Crenshaw, her hand in his arm and—satisfaction shot through Erroll—Somerset’s hand covered hers. Erroll jerked his eyes forward onto Miss Crenshaw. Was she jealous of Somerset and her sister? She hadn’t demonstrated any particular affection for him.

They reached the steps and Erroll descended first, then turned and held her hand as she took the three stairs. She pulled free and crossed to the stairs going below. She didn’t wait for him, but started down the first step. Erroll grasped her arm and stopped her.

She shot him an impatient look. “I’m not a fragile piece of china that will break. I can manage a few stairs on my own.” Without waiting for his permission, she went down the stairs. He followed and had to quicken his steps to catch up with her. They turned a corner in the corridor and, a moment later, reached the cabin.

She opened the door, then said, “Thank you, sir,” and started to close it.

Erroll stopped the door with a flat palm to the wood and forced her back when he stepped inside.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“I would like to come in, if you don’t mind.”

Her mouth dropped open in shock. “That is highly improper.”

“That is your objection?” He closed the door behind him.