Page 8 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Some would disagree.”

He nodded. “And with good reason.”

“My point exactly.”

“They do not know you as I do. I remember you with your nieces.”

She warmed despite her effort to remember the two little girls.

“You begged me to raise them when their father died.”

Eve set the watering can on the floor. “No child should be without a father, which only serves to make my point. Lord Rushton will make a terrible father.”

“You could not be more wrong. He will be a very good father—as good as his father was to him.” She snorted, but her father cut her off. “Do not pretend to be one of those females who insists a man must coddle a boy as a mother would. A man’s world is hard. A boy must learn that early on.”

“Perhaps you are right, and Lord Rushton will make an exemplary father,” she said. “But he will make an abominable husband. He told me so himself. I do not intend to marry a man who will not only live his life as if I do not exist, but who will most certainly grow to hate me.”

“If he comes to hate you that will be your doing.”

Eve held her father’s gaze. “Just as you hating my mother is her doing?”

“Hate is too strong a word. That aside, you know nothing of your mother when I met her.”

“Did you?”

“No,” he said, startling her. “I was young and reckless. But that is beside the point. You will marry the earl.”

“Lord Rushton is the paradigm of recklessness. He broke into my room for pity’s sake.”

“But he is not blind to a woman’s nature.”

Eve stiffened. “And, therefore, could not possibly fall in love with me.”

“His feelings for you will be honest. That is more than most women get.”

“He has, indeed, made his intentions abundantly clear.”

“He will not lie to you and he will provide for you and your children.”

“A fine picture you paint.”

“Which way will you have it, Eve? You don’t want a man who sees you for the woman you are, and you do not want a man who adores you.”

“Adoration is overrated, sir.”

“Indeed, it is,” he said, and she knew he was thinking of her mother. “But you feel you can reject both. What of your sister?”

Anger welled up. “This is her doing. Yet she has not suffered one wit.”

“She will. Should you flout convention, the scandal will place her outside of polite society.”

“Then let her marry him. She wants him.”

“Eve—”

“No one knows Grace lied about his seduction,” Eve cut in. “They can still marry, as you first commanded. Surely, you must be pleased for her marry a man of stature. Mother is thrilled.”

“She has no common sense in such matters,” he muttered.