Page 64 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

“Of course, but he was far angrier that you had married Lord Weston. You wouldn’t believe how he cursed you and your husband.”

Alison’s heart ached. She loved her uncle. How could he care so little for his daughter?

Alison gripped Erin’s hand and squeezed. “There are plenty of eligible young man who would be thrilled to marry you,” she said.

“Would you know if Mister McIntyre is unencumbered?”

“Mister McIntyre?” Alison said in surprise. “Cameron’s friend?”

Erin waved off the question. “Aye, but it is no consequence. I was only curious.”

Alison laughed. “He is very handsome, is he not?”

Erin’s cheeks pinked. “Do you think so? It was terrible of him to kidnap me, of course. But he never really hurt me. Honestly, I was more angry than frightened. And, as I told you yesterday, I quickly realized he had mistaken me for you and that he was doing Lord Weston’s bidding.”

Alison bristled at the thought that Cameron had sent Mister McIntyre to fetch her to his home, but said, “Well, I think Mister McIntyre is very handsome, and I believe he has a tenderness for you.”

“Really? Nae, you must be wrong. I am sure many beautiful women find him attractive.”

“You are beautiful,” Alison said.

Erin fidgeted with her hands. “It is of no consequence. I suspect Father now wants to match me with Mister Napier.”

“John Napier?” Alison blurted. “But why?” Her mind raced. This couldn’t be. Erin couldn’t marry a criminal. Cameron wouldn’t allow it. “I didn’t know that Uncle Harrison was acquainted with Mister Napier,” she said.

“Neither did I,” Erin replied. “Then again, I do not know most of his acquaintances. Father instructed me to be nice to Mister Napier.”

Panic caused her heart to accelerate. “Mister McIntyre is a much better match for you.” Anyone would be a better match than a sex trader. Should she tell Erin about Mister Napier? Nae, she couldn’t, not yet, for she couldn’t risk impeding Cameron’s investigation.

“Forget I said anything about Mister McIntyre,” Erin said. “Mister Napier is very handsome. I suppose I should be fortunate that Father hasn’t tried to marry me to someone like Viscount Arlington.”

“Erin, you must know…” Alison wavered. “You must know that Mister Napier is not a man you should marry.”

“I may not want to marry him—”

Alison shook her head. “Nae, he is part of the investigation.” Erin’s eyes widened. She opened her mouth to reply, but Alison said, “Shh, we have said enough. Do you understand?”

Erin nodded.

“Perhaps Uncle Harrison will allow you to stay with me for a little while,” Alison said.

Erin’s brow furrowed. “But why? We live only twenty minutes away from one another and see each other almost daily.”

Alison grasped her hands. “Can’t a woman want to have her best friend close?”

“I suppose so,” Erin said slowly. “We can always ask. So, what are you doing here? I cannot remember the last time you attended a party.”

“I imagine I will be attending many more parties now that I am married to Lord Weston,” Alison replied.

Her heart squeezed. She was supposed to have attended parties with Robert. She had often imagined attending parties on the arm of a dashing military man, and Robert had been dashing. Cameron, however, was magnificent. He fired up her temper, yet made her warm in all her secret places. She craved his touch in ways she never could have imagined. Her breath caught. Had she fallen in love with him? The burn of tears pressed against the backs of her eyes.

“Alison? Is something amiss?”

Alison shook her head. “Nae, it is just that—”

Erin put an arm around her shoulder. “Come along. Let us sit in the ladies retiring room for a moment. You can tell me what is wrong.”

Erin led her down the hallway to the fourth door on the right. Several ladies sat on benches and chairs in the front parlor.