Victoria breathed a relieved sigh. “Since the girls no longer wish to marry the twins—and vice versa, I might add—I’d say we did it. Huzzah.”
“Yes, we appear to have weathered the storm, thanks mostly to you,” Nicholas said, smiling at Victoria as he lifted his cup in salute.
Alec grimaced. “There’s still the little matter of Mr. Fletcher.”
“We’ll deal with that when we return the ladies to Glasgow,” the earl said.
“I’m afraid not. Fletcher arrived in Arrochar yesterday, and I suspect he’ll be popping up on your doorstep any minute.”
Victoria felt as if someone had just punched her in the stomach. “Are you sure?”
Alec nodded. “I’d been camped out at the inn the last few days waiting for the pass to clear. Fletcher came waltzing in last night. We exchanged a few choice words, but he remains undeterred. I managed to get a march on him this morning, so I could get here first to warn you.”
“How the hell did the bastard know where we’d gone?” Nicholas snapped.
“He showed up at Kendrick House shortly after you and Victoria left. Braden tried to deal with him, but the man was quite demented in his rage.” He grimaced. “He wasn’t exactly sane with me last night, either.”
“Is Braden all right?” Victoria asked.
“He’s fine, but he inadvertently revealed where you’d gone. Fletcher made some nasty threats and then stomped off. You also need to know that he has Glasgow constables with him, and some sort of legal documentation.”
Victoria pressed her palms flat on the table, quelling the urge to be sick. “Did you actually see the papers?”
“No. The idiot wouldn’t show it to me, which means it’s very likely not an arrest warrant.” He gave Victoria an encouraging smile. “That’s a good thing, pet.”
She tried to smile back but couldn’t manage it.
Nick shoved his chair back and stood. “All right, I’ve had enough of this damn nonsense. I don’t care if that bastard’s got a bloody regiment of Hussars with him. He’s not laying a finger on Victoria.” He stalked out of the room without a look back.
Alec came around to her side of the table and crouched down beside her. “I know it’s worrisome, but Arnprior and I will take care of it. We’ll keep you safe.”
She sucked in several deep breaths. “His lordship is right. This needs to end.”
Alec frowned. “What are you saying?”
“I need to tell the truth about what Thomas Fletcher tried to do to me.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m tired of lying, as if I’m the one who did something wrong. If it damages my reputation, so be it. I’m not running away and I’m not hiding anymore.”
He seemed to think about that for a few moments before he rose and took her hand. “All right, Victoria. Whatever happens, we’ll be there with you. Fletcher doesn’t stand a chance against our united front.”
As they hurried after Nicholas, Victoria sent up a silent prayer that her cousin would be proven right.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Victoria mentally ticked off the last item on her list. She’d changed into warmer clothing, packed a bag, spoken with Mrs. Taffy and Ainsley, and finally, checked on the twins. She’d done everything she could to quickly prepare for her departure, knowing Fletcher and the constables could arrive at any moment.
“Would you please cease racing about like a madwoman?” came a voice from behind her. “I’m trying to talk to you.”
Victoria glanced over her shoulder to see Ainsley following her down the hall. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
“That’s rather miraculous, since I was all but yelling at the top of my confounded lungs.”
“I’m a little distracted, as you can imagine.”
Ainsley grimaced as she joined her at the head of the staircase. “I didn’t mean to make light of your situation. But I’ve been thinking about all this, and I believe you should listen to Lord Arnprior. You shouldnotleave Kinglas. Let the earl protect you.”
