Page 53 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

“Alison,” a woman cried from the other side of the door.

Alison froze in stepping into her petticoat. Erin? She dragged the petticoat over her hips, then raced toward the door.

“Alison, for goodness sake, wake up,” Erin called.

She reached the door, unlocked it, and threw it open. “Erin.” Alison grabbed her cousin and hugged her. “I am so sorry,” Alison blubbered.

“Nae, I am the one who is sorry,” Erin said.

“I locked you in a closet,” Alison said

Erin laughed through tears. “Indeed, you did, and you should be sorry for that.”

Alison pulled back. “I did not mean for any of this to happen.”

“Lord, have mercy!” a woman cried.

Alison and Erin whirled as Mrs. Cummings emerged from the servants’ stairs on the left. She fairly flew across the hall. She reached Alison and pulled her into a hug. “We were so worried.” She grasped Alison’s shoulders and drew back. “Never do that again, do you hear me?” She hugged Alison again. “What were you thinking?”

Alison laughed. “Mrs. Cummings, you are going to crush me.”

The housekeeper released her, then dried tears with the end of her apron.

“I am sorry to have worried you,” Alison said.

“You worried us both,” Erin said.

“I truly am sorry.” She grasped one of Mrs. Cummings’ hands and one of Erin’s. I am so very glad to see you both.” A thought struck. “Mrs. Cummings, have you any idea where his lordship’s father is? He must be displeased with all this commotion.”

“The earl?” she replied. “Aye, my lady. He is in Bredan at his estate Longgate.”

A sliver of tension eased in Alison’s shoulders. She couldn’t face him after what had passed between her and Cameron.

“Well, then,” Mrs. Cummings said, “I had better get back to work.” She leaned closer and said in a conspiratorial tone, “We have a wedding to prepare for this morning.”

Alison drew a sharp breath and Erin laughed. “She has forgotten, Mrs. Cummings.”

She had.

Mrs. Cummings shooed them back into Alison’s room, then pulled the door shut, leaving them alone.

Erin grasped her hand, pulled Alison to the bed, then tugged her onto a seat on the mattress. “I cannot believe it is your wedding day.”

Alison shook her head. “Neither can I.”

Erin’s eyes softened with compassion. “You are worried about Robert.”

Alison shrugged. “I must write him of…”—she released a heavy sigh—“of my indiscretion.”

“He would not want you ruined and would agree that you must marry Lord Weston even though you did not truly compromise yourself.”

“I—that is—” Alison broke off when Erin’s eyes widened.

“My heavens.” Erin howled with laughter. “I never suspected.”

Alison shoved her cousin, and Erin fell onto her back still laughing.

“We did not… We were not intimate the night I came here to his home,” Alison said.