Page 45 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“They ain’t my horses to rent,” the man said.

“Nevertheless, we will take them. When we see the earl, we will make sure he gets them back.” With interest, Erroll silently added.

“What about me getting back my horses?”

“You will have our mounts as collateral. We will need the chestnut, as well.”

“He is my favorite. I can’t sell him.”

“Name a price,” Erroll snapped. “Otherwise, I will simply take all three.”

“I’ll have the sheriff on your arse in ten minutes,” the man retorted.

“I know Halifax’s taste in horses. With a ten minute head start, the sheriff will likely not catch us. If he does, my companions and I will testify that you sold us the horses.”

The man glanced at Oscar, who folded his arms across his massive chest and glared.

“Twenty pounds each,” the man said through tight lips.

“I will leave my note,” Erroll agreed.

“A piece of paper means nothing here,” the man said.

Erroll pulled his wallet from his trouser pocket, and said, “I feel certain you are not implying I would cheat you,” as he withdrew the five notes he had on hand.

“You said you would take the horse if I didn’t sell them,” the man replied.

“If you insist on being an ass, I will make good the threat just on principle.” Erroll handed him the money, then called for paper and pen. He left the money and note, along with an assurance that he would have the funds sent once he reached home. The farmer grumbled, but fresh horses were saddled twenty minutes later.

“If we pace ourselves properly, we might catch them in two hours,” Erroll said as the three of them turned the horses toward the road.

“Why is he traveling so fast?” Somerset said. “Does he truly plan to marry her?”

That question had puzzled Erroll more with each passing mile. “One would think he expected Miss Crenshaw’s father to give chase.”

“Lord Tolland will shoot him, once he learns what the bastard has done,” Oscar said.

Erroll shifted his gaze onto the big man. “Will he, now?”

Oscar shrugged without looking at him. “If there is anything left after I get through with him.”

“As formidable as you are, dear Oscar, the earl will not expect you to be hot on his trail.”

“He ain’t all that smart,” Oscar said.

“I agree,” Erroll replied.

But he might be smart enough to have deduced that the lady’s father would, as Oscar said, kill him—or, even more pressing, that Erroll would kill him—which would mean he had concluded that he had no choice but to marry her.