The Highlander Is All That (Untamed Highlanders #4)(29)

“Have you gotten to know him? Remember, I was not fond of Duncan at all when he reappeared in my life.”

“He’s nothing like Duncan, I assure you.”

Her friend gave her a quick hug. “You can always say no.”

“Can I? Everyone is counting on me to make a brilliant match.”

“Not at the price of your happiness.”

“Aunt Esmeralda is quite adamant that he is perfect. And apparently he has been approved by the duke . . .”

“Then let the duke marry him.”

Elizabeth’s laugh was damp. “Don’t be ridiculous. The duke is already married.”

“I doubt your cousin would want you to marry someone you do not care for.”

“People do it every day.”

“Not people like you.” Catherine patted her hand. “I shall talk to Lady Esmeralda tomorrow.”

“Oh, would you?”

“Of course.”

Elizabeth grinned, her mood suddenly lifted. “And may I come to live with you and Duncan when I am an old maid firmly on the shelf?”

Catherine threw back her head and laughed. “Absolutely. In fact, I would love having you.”

They linked arms and started strolling again. As they reached the end of the path, a deep voice reached out to them from the shadows and Elizabeth started in surprise.

“Catherine?”

It took a moment for her to place the voice, but then Lord Tiverton, Catherine’s erstwhile suitor, emerged into the light.

Catherine sighed. “Yes, my lord?”

Tiverton’s expression was somber. “I have terrible news.”

Catherine stiffened. “What is it?”

“Your brother, Peter, the fool. He’s been in a duel.”

“No.”

Elizabeth’s heart lurched as she stared at Catherine in horror. They’d all been so certain Peter had straightened up. This was, indeed, a disaster and Catherine seemed devastated.

“He’s gravely injured,” Tiverton said. “He asked me to bring you to his side.”

“Oh, that is terrible.” Catherine glanced at Elizabeth. “I must go.”

“Of course. We shall all go.” She gave her friend a quick hug. “Wait here and I will fetch Bower and Hamish.” She took off at a run and brought the two Scots back in moments.

But by the time she returned, Catherine—and Tiverton—were gone.

Peter had, indeed, not been in a duel. In fact, he was fine.

But Catherine wasn’t.

When Elizabeth had gone for Hamish and Bower, Tiverton had taken her.

She had been kidnapped.





Chapter Eleven


Fury and concern churned in Hamish’s gut. It horrified him that Catherine had been taken on his watch. It horrified him more that the same could easily have happened to Elizabeth.

Regardless, it was extraordinarily difficult telling Duncan Mackay the news.

“What do you mean, she’s gone?” he bellowed.

“Tiverton took her,” Hamish said.

“What do you mean, he took her?”

“I spoke to the coachmen in the mews,” Ranald said. “They saw Tiverton and several men toss a bundle into his carriage. The bundle was . . . kicking and screaming.”

“Do we know where he’s headed?” Duncan asked, his voice a rough scrape.

Ranald scrubbed his beard with his palm. “Word is, he’s taking her to Gretna Green.”

Duncan frowned. “Are you sure?”

“It’s what he told his friends at White’s.”

“Bastard.”

“Where else might he take her?”

Ranald shrugged. “He has an estate in Leeds.”

“Excellent. That is on the way.” Duncan headed for the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Hamish called after him.

“I’m going to rescue my woman.”

“Not without us,” Ranald growled.

Duncan sighed. “I appreciate your assistance, but you have a job to do here. What would the duke say if you abandoned his cousins?”

“They can eschew the season until we return,” Ranald insisted.

“They are women,” Duncan reminded him. “They willna want to eschew anything.”

“They are also Catherine’s friends,” Hamish said. “They will want her safe. They will understand.”

“Quite right.” Ranald nodded. “Now, let’s prepare for the flight north. We have a carriage to catch.”

Indeed, Esmeralda and the girls were more than understanding. Anne and Elizabeth even wanted to come along, but Ranald convinced them to stay. It was essential they hold up the fiction that Catherine was still at Sinclair House, should any gossip come sniffing around.

But hell, it was hard saying goodbye, not knowing how long he would be gone. It was hard saying goodbye in front of the entire household too, because there was no opportunity to pull Elizabeth into his arms and kiss her once more.

It ate away at him that he had no right to do so.

Beyond that, there was Twiggenberry. The bastard. No doubt he would continue to woo Elizabeth, or whatever it was wealthy lords did to win their brides.

Again, Hamish had no right to care, which irritated him more than it should.