Page 50 of The Highlander Is All That

It took a moment for her to place the voice, but then Lord Tiverton, Catherine’s erstwhile suitor, emerged into the light.

Catherine sighed. “Yes, my lord?”

Tiverton’s expression was somber. “I have terrible news.”

Catherine stiffened. “What is it?”

“Your brother, Peter, the fool. He’s been in a duel.”

“No.”

Elizabeth’s heart lurched as she stared at Catherine in horror. They’d all been so certain Peter had straightened up. This was, indeed, a disaster and Catherine seemed devastated.

“He’s gravely injured,” Tiverton said. “He asked me to bring you to his side.”

“Oh, that is terrible.” Catherine glanced at Elizabeth. “I must go.”

“Of course. We shall all go.” She gave her friend a quick hug. “Wait here and I will fetch Bower and Hamish.” She took off at a run and brought the two Scots back in moments.

But by the time she returned, Catherine—and Tiverton—were gone.

Peter had, indeed, not been in a duel. In fact, he was fine.

But Catherine wasn’t.

When Elizabeth had gone for Hamish and Bower, Tiverton had taken her.

She had been kidnapped.

Chapter Eleven

Fury and concern churned in Hamish’s gut. It horrified him that Catherine had been taken on his watch. It horrified him more that the same could easily have happened to Elizabeth.

Regardless, it was extraordinarily difficult telling Duncan Mackay the news.

“What do you mean, she’s gone?” he bellowed.

“Tiverton took her,” Hamish said.

“What do you mean, he took her?”

“I spoke to the coachmen in the mews,” Ranald said. “They saw Tiverton and several men toss a bundle into his carriage. The bundle was . . . kicking and screaming.”

“Do we know where he’s headed?” Duncan asked, his voice a rough scrape.

Ranald scrubbed his beard with his palm. “Word is, he’s taking her to Gretna Green.”

Duncan frowned. “Are you sure?”

“It’s what he told his friends at White’s.”

“Bastard.”

“Where else might he take her?”

Ranald shrugged. “He has an estate in Leeds.”

“Excellent. That is on the way.” Duncan headed for the door.