Page 98 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Forgive me, he is indisposed.”

“I won’t be fobbed off to a bastard,” Burns spat.

“Ah,” Lord Rushton said. “You have me confused with my brother Ash. He is the one born on the wrong side of the blanket, not I. Sadly, he isn’t here either, so you are stuck with me.”

The man blinked, this time clearly a little more certain he’d been insulted. Eve, on the other hand, wanted to laugh.

“Where is Lady Hilary?” Lord Burns snapped.

“At last we make progress,” the earl said. “What do you want with my dear cousin?”

“I want her to stay away from my son. She is trying to get her hooks into him.”

“Hilary?” Lord Rushton laughed. “When last I saw the chit she had nothing resembling hooks.”

“She was free with her charms last night,” Lord Burns snapped.

“Indeed? I would have given a small fortune to see that. In any case, you cannot blame her. It is, after all, a lady’s job to display her charms. How else are we men to know what we are getting ourselves into?”

Lord Burns was struck dumb. Eve understood how he felt, though her reason was, no doubt, different. Butterflies flitted across the inside of her stomach with the memory of the charms Lord Rushton had so obviously noticed in her.

“My son is to marry a woman with strong Scottish roots,” Lord Burns said through tight lips.

“That goes without saying,” the earl said. “But what has that to do with the youngsters? Surely, you remember what it was like to be young and flirt with the ladies? And we aren’t in Edinburgh, after all. If she danced two dances with your son instead of one, no one here on Mull will notice, and I find it impossible to believe Hilary’s brother would allow anything more.”

“Her brother isna’ here,” Lord Burns said. “He’s off fighting the Sassenach war.”

A cloud passed through Lord Rushton’s eyes. “David gone to war?” He sighed. “Given that Bonaparte sailed to Prussia and marched from there to the Russian front in mere months, you might consider the possibility that if he succeeds in crossing the channel he will march into Scotland just as quickly. This war belongs to us all.”

“Bah!” Lord Burns burst out. “I’m not interested in your politics. If your father isna’ here, tell your mother to keep a better watch on the girl. She was at the ball with her last night.”

“There you are,” the earl said. “Lady Rushton is the embodiment of respectability. You have nothing to fear.”

“My son is betrothed, has been since he was a child,” Burns said. “The girl is wasting her time.”

“I see,” Lord Rushton nodded. “You’re afraid Hilary will misunderstand your son’s attentions. But what have you to fear? You know how these young people are, they go out of their way to aggravate their elders.”

Eve couldn’t escape the notion that his lordship referred as much to himself as his young cousin.

Burns’ brows snapped downward. “My son knows his duty.”

“Then count yourself lucky,” Lord Rushton said. “He is far wiser than many older men. As for Hilary, she isn’t old enough to be allowed to hook a man yet, and I never knew her to take the attention of a swain to heart. Now, may I ask what brings you to Mull?”

Lord Burns blinked, clearly caught off guard with the change of subject. “James Rose leased a house here. He invited us.”

“James, a good man,” Lord Rushton said. “Do you hunt?”

“Aye, quail, and deer, sometimes.”

“Excellent,” Lord Rushton said. “You must hunt on Ravenhall. We have an abundance of deer. I’m sure we can arrange a time. My father is an avid hunter, and an excellent guide.”

Lord Burns stiffened. “I may not have time.”

The earl nodded. “I imagine James will keep you busy. However, there is a matter that might be of great interest to you, and one in which I think you might be in a position to help. Bring James, he will want to be apprised of the situation.”

“Situation, what situation?”

“We have a press gang stealing our men.”