The Highlander Is All That (Untamed Highlanders #4)(69)

Preferably, Twiggenberry’s face.

In lieu of that, a vase. Preferably an expensive one.

The only reason he did not was because Esmeralda would flay him alive if he did.

“That rat,” Victoria bleated. “Well, she’s definitely not marrying him now.”

“Indeed not.” The duchess’s smile was broad.

Hamish felt the extreme need to interrupt this orgy of delight with the bald facts. “This is all good and well, but the fact is, we have no idea where Elizabeth is. We must find her.”

She could be dead in the gutter for all he knew.

If she was, he wouldn’t want to live—

The duchess cleared her throat. “About that . . .”

All eyes snapped to her.

“I may have an idea where she’s gone.”

The duke whipped around and gaped at his wife.

She shrugged. “I couldna let her marry that beast.”

“My God, I love you, you Scottish vixen,” His Grace said, and then he kissed his wife.

And kissed her.

And kissed her.

“Ahem,” Hamish said. And again, until they surfaced. He hated to interfere with true love and all, but he really needed to know. “Where is she?”

“I sent her to stay with a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Well, a friend of a friend.”

“Aye?”

The duchess turned to her husband. “You remember Miss Claire?”

“Lovely woman.”

“She was Helena’s nurse. Now she lives in Cornwall.”

“Cornwall?” Hamish barked. Bluidy hell. He’d sailed right past her. Irritation welled in his gut and churned.

Esmeralda sniffed. “Cornwall is at the end of the world.”

“Only Devon,” the duke said amiably.

“Clovelly is a lovely village,” Her Grace assured them.

It did not assure Hamish. “She traveled by herself?” he croaked.

“She’s verra adept. We disguised her as a widow.”

Hamish blanched. Didn’t they know how men viewed widows? That they were practically fair game?

“She’s fine. Really.” The duchess patted his hand, the equivalent of a kitten patting an enraged tiger. Hamish sucked in a breath and glanced at her husband before he responded. To remind himself of her stature. It wouldn’t do to snap at her. Especially with Edward at her side.

He took a moment to contain himself before he responded. “Thank you for helping her, Your Grace.” If the duchess had not, Elizabeth would surely have been wed by now. “I have to go after her.”

Esmeralda cleared his throat. “You do?”

Hamish glowered at her. “Aye.”

“That would hardly be proper.”

“To hell with proper,” he practically roared. “I refuse to continue this farce.”

“Whatever do you mean?” the duchess asked with a glow in her eye.

Hamish leaped to his feet. “Elizabeth is mine,” he said. “We had agreed to marry before that idiot Twiggenberry compromised her, and let’s be clear, I have compromised her a damn sight more.”

Esmeralda gasped and pretended to swoon, but no one was paying attention so she sat upright again and proceeded to scowl at him.

“Ahem. How much more?” the duke asked.

“Quite thoroughly, Your Grace. When I do something, I doona see the point of doing it halfway.”

“Good man,” the duchess breathed. When her husband frowned at her she smiled brightly and said, “I’ve always fancied a holiday in Cornwall. What do you say?”

*

“How do you feel, dear?” Miss Claire asked. She tightened her arm on Elizabeth’s as they strolled along High Street. It wasn’t often that they came to town for fun, but there was a festival this afternoon and neither wanted to miss it.

“Wonderful,” Elizabeth said, and it was the truth. Whatever transition her body had been undergoing seemed to have eased. She had her energy back and was able to walk, and most of the time, her outlook was bright.

“I hear you crying at night.”

Oh dear. Elizabeth offered a brave smile. “I thought I was being quiet.”

“You were. I have good ears.” Claire stared out at the sea and sighed. “Do you miss him so very much?”

Elizabeth blinked. “My husband?”

Claire patted her hand. “If you wish. But between you and me, we both know better.”

“I . . . How did you guess?”

“I’ve been around for a long, long while, my dear. But fear not. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Thank you, Claire.”

“Thank you for coming to brighten my days. I’ve really enjoyed having you.”

“I’ve enjoyed being here. This will be a lovely place to raise a child.” Though she said this with a wistful tone.

“I imagine it would be.” She shot Elizabeth a sharp glance. “You could always marry Lord Hamlyn. He seems devoted.”

“I couldn’t. I don’t love him.”

“Many people marry without love.”

“I’m sure they do. But I cannot be one of them. You do understand, don’t you?”