Page 78 of The Highlander Is All That

Ranald was furious.

He’d come downstairs after that delicious interlude with Anne to be snagged by Esmeralda for a long and unproductive discussion about a gift she might send the duke. Then, when he’d finally broken free—though she had been following him and nattering on—it was to find Elizabeth in the library in Hamish’s arms.

Again.

Had he not made their position more than clear?

They were here for one reason and one reason only. To oversee the St. Claire girls’ season for the duke. Not to seduce them.

It infuriated him that Hamish had ignored his command to stay clear of Elizabeth.

And not only because Ranald had taken such great pains to keep his hands off Anne, although that did factor into his frustration.

“This is not acceptable,” Esmeralda crowed, for the hundredth time. They sat in the library, the four of them, without even a tea tray.

“No’. Acceptable.” Ranald frowned at Hamish. “I told you to keep clear of her.”

“I tried.”

“He did,” Elizabeth said, taking Hamish’s hand, which was a mistake because it made her aunt glower even more. “It was totally my fault.”

Esmeralda reared back. Her nostrils flared, and, heavens, they were . . . large. “What do you mean it was your fault?”

“I . . . pursued him.”

“She hunted me, more like.” Hamish grinned like a man who had no idea what deep trouble he was in.

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, that is true. Please forgive me, dear aunt, but I do love him.”

“Love. Bah. You’re a child.”

“Not hardly. And I know my own heart.”

Esmeralda put her hand to her forehead. “The duke will be devastated.”

“Will he be?” Hamish asked with an edge to his tone. One Ranald could understand. He knew the duke, while she did not. Lachlan was not given to social snobbery.

Ranald figured he’d better intercede before Esmeralda lashed out at the lad. “The duke was hoping for the earl.”

Hamish’s expression tightened and he glared at Ranald. “You told him about Twiggenberry?”

“He asked to be kept apprised.”

“Has he met Lord Twiggenberry?” Elizabeth asked.

“I doona believe so.”

“Then how can he have a preference either way? For me? Whom he has also. Not. Met.”

“Elizabeth. You have to understand, this is not what is best for you.” Esmeralda waved at Hamish somewhat dismissively. When she caught his wounded expression she huffed out a breath. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Then how did you mean it?” Hamish failed at keeping the bitterness from his tone.

Esmeralda sighed. “You have to realize you are not a wealthy man.”

Hamish swallowed. “Ah, so it’s money, is it?” God, Ranald hated the look on his face. The devastation, the fear, the courage. It was clear his friend would face anything, sacrifice everything, for this woman. And that was frightening indeed.

“I want what is best for Elizabeth,” Esmeralda said.