Page 5 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

Chapter Two

“Where were you?”

Her father’s abrupt demand, coming from the dark foyer behind Erin, set off fissions of fear. Her heart pounded. Nothing compared to the soft threats of her formidable father.

The soft click of the front door as she pulled it closed echoed in the empty space.

“I am sorry.” She’d said those same words before when it came to her relationship with Lord Weston. But she never meant them more than she did tonight. “It wasn’t my fault.”

“It never is.”

She turned, shoulders hunched, and pressed her back against the door. She stared at the hem of her dress and the toe of her exposed slipper. “There is only so much I can do. I cannot control him, nor can I plan for every contingency.”

“Excuses. You are always full of excuses.”

“My timing was perfect and all was going exactly as planned.” She grew quieter. “But you weren’t there.”

“You blame me?” his voice rose. “Nae, blame lies with you. How many opportunities must I provide?”

“Father—”

“Enough!” He turned from the hall and strode toward his study.

Erin wasn’t sure if she should follow or retreat to her room. No explanation would assuage her father’s ire. But this was not her fault. The moment had been perfect. Perhaps she had fumbled previous plans, like the time she’d followed the viscount home from one of the hells. He’d been unsteady on his feet…a perfect opportunity to smile, seduce, and garner an invitation to his bed. Only, the blasted man had been a ghost. One minute, weaving his way through the park, the next, gone. She’d spent the night hidden in his pantry, but he’d never arrived. Evidently, another woman had warmed his bed that night. Another failure as far as her father was concerned.

With whisper-quiet steps, she followed her father into his sanctuary. “Perhaps there is a reason the viscount has never fallen victim to scandal. He is careful, Father. And not easily persuaded.”

“He’s a rake, he has bedded every whore—except you.”

“Whore?” Erin felt as if she’d been slapped. “How dare you?” The words erupted from her mouth before she could stop them. “If I am a whore, you made me one.” Fear skittered across her flesh. For a moment, she’d forgotten with whom she spoke. She lowered her head. “I am sorry.” She couldn’t anger her father, lest she find herself homeless tonight.

“Do not make me explain myself again,” he said in a cold voice.

Please, not again, she mentally pleaded. One might think her father wanted this marriage more than she did. Obsessive was too kind a word for her motivation. More than marriage, she wanted out of her father’s house. If he wanted her to marry the viscount, what better escape? For the hundredth time, she considered fleeing her father’s house for a life on the stage.

“I will provide another opportunity,” her father said. “Listen well, Daughter, because Cameron Hunter is an intelligent man. Too intelligent,” he muttered. “A man like him needs watching.” He plucked at his black brow as he stared hard at Erin.

Tension coiled in her belly. She told herself he wanted the best for her, but Harrison Lennox never did anything that didn’t suit his own needs. Erin had learned early on never to cross her father.

He slid a handwritten note across the table. “Sunday evening will finally secure your future. I will not be foiled again.” The meaning in his words rang inside her head: fail me again and you will not be forgiven.

Erin looked at the paper. She didn’t recognize the stationary, but the molded Weston wax crest was as distinctive as her father’s hand.

She devoured the words.

My Love,

Meet me tonight at my home at 1:00. I will leave the kitchen door unlocked. Take the servants’ stairs located to the right and go to the third floor. My room is the first on the right. We will be alone, so you need not worry, we will have the privacy I promised you.

I cannot wait until you are in my arms again,

Cam

She didn’t understand. “Does he want me to come?”

“Of course not.”

“But it’s written on his stationary. The letter has his seal.”