Page 121 of The Highlander Is All That

“She’s hosting a soiree.”

“Lovely.” It wasn’t. At least it wasn’t what Elizabeth was hoping for.

“A Scottish theme. In honor of the Duchess of Moncrieff.”

“Of course. Kaitlin is Scottish.”

“She’s even engaged a Highlander to attend.”

“That would be Lord Ranald, Baron of Bower.” Who would have returned home with Mary.

Claire shook her head. “Huh. That’s not what this says.”

Elizabeth’s head jerked up. Her heart pattered. “What does it say?”

“It says his name is Hamish.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Hamish was aggravated when they finally returned to London. For one thing, the day they arrived, Henley informed them that Lady Esmeralda had gone out on calls. Jamison was understandably relieved—he’d been increasingly skittish about facing the matron—but Hamish was frustrated. He wanted to get started on his search for Elizabeth at once. He was fully determined to find her. He desperately needed to know she was safe.

And now he had to wait.

He saw Jamison and Mary to their quarters, and when the boy expressed discomfort living in the family wing, Hamish told him, in no uncertain terms, to get used to it.

He’d really come to like the young man during their journey, and he felt that he and Mary were a good match. He agreed completely with Bower’s decision to hire the lad. Their business was growing and they could use another good man back in Halkirk, but the boy’s station in life had changed and he had to learn to accept it. His servant’s mentality did not become the husband of a wealthy lady.

Once the newlyweds were settled, Hamish headed for the parlor. To wait. He wanted to be right there when Esmeralda returned.

When he heard a bustle at the door, he shot to his feet.

Esmeralda pushed through and stopped short at the sight of him. Her face scrunched up, which he interpreted as her way of holding back her excitement. Or her dismay.

With her, it was difficult to tell.

“Henley. Tea,” she barked. And then she swanned into the room with Victoria in her wake.

Though he knew it was pointless, Hamish couldn’t help glancing into the hall behind them in hopes of seeing Elizabeth sweep in as well.

“Sit down,” Esmeralda barked. “And stop mooning.”

“Was I mooning?”

“You were. How was your journey?” She seemed stiff and unsure of herself, which was a first. “Did you find Mary?”

“We did. I brought her back—”

“Oh, thank God.”

“But . . .”

Esmeralda pinned him with a sharp glower. “But what?” Though it was clear she already knew. Or suspected at least.

“We found them in Gretna Green.”

“How romantic,” Victoria gushed. Her aunt singed her with a frown.

“So it was too late,” the older woman said on a sigh.