Page 78 of Any Rogue Will Do
“She said—and I quote—as long as she’s there to wish us happy, we could get married naked in the woods if we wanted. I can now testify that Scottish ceremonies are very loose in your wild country, so the naked thing is definitely an option.”
His laugh warmed her to her toes. “And Darling? Did you suggest she come along and marry her coachman while there? Because that sounds like one of your plans.”
Lottie gaped in mock outrage. “I’m not that managing—” He cut her off by shoving a slice of ham in her mouth. “Fine, yes. She and Patrick are coming with Agatha,” Lottie confessed around the ham.
“You are nothing if not efficient, love. Did you ladies plan out the rest of Patrick’s life?” He washed the teasing down with a healthy gulp of wine.
“Of course we did. They’ll either move with us to Kent or breed horses in America.” Lottie nibbled a piece of cheese, returning his sarcasm with her own.
“Either way, we’ll always have room for them. They might be a good fit for an idea I had while home.”
She brushed away a bread crumb stuck in his scruffy beard. “What have you been concocting in between fighting fires, catching saboteurs, and rescuing damsels who poison people?”
“The man Montague hired, John Billings. He worked against his conscience tae sabotage my home in exchange for barely enough money tae feed his wife and children for a week. He’s a former soldier. Lost his leg in the war. How many more soldiers are desperately tryin’ tae feed themselves and their families but can’t find work because of a physical handicap? I want Woodrest tae be a place where men can work with dignity and raise their families outside dangerous neighborhoods like Seven Dials and the rookeries.”
Lottie laid her head on Ethan’s shoulder. She nibbled on a dried piece of fruit and offered it up to share. What he proposed made so much sense, especially when one knew his generous heart. Thank heaven he hadn’t been raised to be a lord. Because of that, he was better than most of the aristocracy.
“I love it.” She gave him a peck on the lips, pulling back before the sweet sentiment could build into anything more. “Thank you for riding across the country to save me. You were so dashing, ready to fight Montague.”
“Aye, but you got tae him first, you little savage.” The dimple in his cheek never failed to cause a flutter in her belly. “I’ll always come for ye, lass. And I’ll mow down anyone fool enough tae get in my way.” Ethan let go of her hand to bury his fingers in her hair, holding her steady for his kiss as the carriage hit a bump. “Are you sure you don’ want the society church wedding?”
“I told you, Agatha is joining us tonight. We have it all planned.”
He sighed. “I’m surrounded by managing females.”
“Get used to it, Lord Amesbury.”
Epilogue
The river and nearby waterway of the Solway Firth carried men, ships, and silt to and from the sea with the temperament of a demanding mother-in-law. The air smelled like mud and fish.
Cal might be cranky with fatigue. Once he finished this task, he’d get something to eat. Maybe that would help. Lack of food made him irritable, and he was most definitely irritable.
A muffled sound came from the other seat in the carriage.
“Shut up,” he replied.
Montague glared ineffectual daggers from behind his gag. No doubt the man was making a rude gesture behind his back, where Cal had tied his hands.
Justice was justice, after all. And Cal was nothing if not fair. Montague had been treated to the same tender ministrations he’d shown the new Lady Amesbury.
Ethan and Lottie’s marriage over the anvil had taken mere moments. Glancing at his pocket watch, Cal checked the time. The lovebirds were naked by now. He’d bet on it.
Angus, an affable three-toothed man who’d known Ethan since birth, opened the door and climbed inside, carrying the smell of whisky and tobacco with him. “Time tae take out the rubbish, eh? ’E’s beginning tae smell.”
“You don’t know the half of it. Let’s just say this has been a very long trip,” Cal said. Whatever Lottie had given the man was nothing short of foul.
Angus directed him to a pub near the docks that was suitably disreputable for their needs. In the farthest corner, drinking in the shadows, sat a man with his back against the wall. After years of friendship with Ethan, Cal would be the first to admit that his metric might be skewed. But judging by the man’s shoulders, he was a bit of a beast. Easily as broad as Ethan, but without any layers of gentility. Definitely a rough character, although younger than he’d expected.
Angus doffed his cap. “Captain Harlow? Had a bit of trouble. Thought ye could help. Lord Carlyle, this here’s the gentleman I told ye about.”
Gentlemanmight be stretching the truth.Piratewas probably more accurate. Cal eyed the sketchy seafarer a moment before motioning to a passing barmaid for another round of ale. The woman eyed him up and down suggestively, then winked when he placed a coin in her palm.
“You’ll get more than a drink from that one,” Captain Harlow said, nudging a chair toward Cal.
“I’ll just take the drink, thank you.” Cal took a seat and waited for Angus to sit beside him before speaking. “I won’t waste your time, Captain. A man kidnapped my best friend’s wife.”
“You need me to track him down? I don’t find people.”
