Page 42 of The Highlander Is All That

“Sip it.”

She did, and a flame scorched her throat. She wheezed and coughed and then took another sip because it felt good.

As for Esmeralda, she tossed hers back in one gulp.

“I was, indeed, not happy with Van Cleve. He was a pompous, profligate popinjay. He humiliated me numerous times in front of my friends . . . and occasionally with my friends. But he was wealthy and he had a property in Scotland.”

Elizabeth sent her a curious glance. “A property in Scotland?”

She chuckled. “He thought he was punishing me, exiling me, but he had no idea who I was. I loved Scotland.” Her eyes glinted, faraway and dreamy. “I am certain he had no idea, until the day he died, that Roger was not his son.” Elizabeth’s eyes went wide and she glanced at her glass. What was this drink that it made a pillar of propriety spill her proverbial guts after one glass?

“Are you shocked?”

“A little.”

Esmeralda chuckled. “So was Van Cleve, when I told him.”

“You told him?”

“On his deathbed, as he wheezed his last. Was that cruel, do you think?”

“I really couldn’t say.”

“Well, it was a petty revenge, but I did enjoy it.”

“Aunt Esmeralda . . . why are you telling me this?”

“Because, my darling. You need to know that you do have options.”

“What if Twiggenberry does not exile me to Scotland?”

“There’s always Wales.”

“You are advocating I marry a man I do not love, and having affaires?”

“It is one option.”

“And what would you have chosen, if you’d had the freedom to? Would it have been Van Cleve?”

Her aunt sighed. “No. In all honesty, it would have been Rupert.”

“Roger’s father, I take it?”

“A tall, brawny, foul-mouthed Scot who could fuck like a—” Her cheeks went pink. “Oh dear. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Young ears.”

“Quite right.” She sighed and patted Elizabeth’s hand. “I will put Twiggenberry off. Tell him you need some time. We will keep this proposal between us for the moment, but you, my gel, need to find another suitor. I do warn you. The earl will not like being rejected.”

“He will understand.”

“My dear, I was married to an earl. My father was an earl and my brother following him. I can promise you, they never understand when things do not go their way. Let us proceed with delicacy, yes? Come now. We must prepare for tonight.”

Elizabeth nodded. And then she tossed back the rest of her drink.

She was going to need it.

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