How to Marry a Royal Highlander

by Vanessa Kelly

  The murmur of delighted horror that rose up around them almost drowned out her sister’s outraged exclamation. Evelyn hastily moved forward to confront Calista, but Edie shot out an arm to hold her back.

  “We’ve heard enough of this nonsense,” Wolf said. His commanding voice cut through the gale of scandalized comments and laughter in their vicinity, and he looked every inch the royal that he was. “Sir Malcolm, I suggest you escort your companion to the supper room. Lady Calista is beside herself, and I’m sure she could benefit from some refreshment.”

  “Yes, of course, of course,” babbled Sir Malcolm, obviously scared witless. He took Calista by the elbow and tried to tug her away.

  The idiot jerked her arm from his grasp. “Don’t be a fool,” she hissed at him. “I will not be run off by this lot.”

  “I suggest you take my husband’s advice and walk away,” Evelyn said sternly. “This scene does not reflect well on any of us.”

  No chance of that, Edie thought. The dratted girl had been waiting years for her revenge—probably since the time Edie dumped a bucket of cold water over her head at school.

  “Walk away?” Calista hooted. “Your sister should have to walk away, not I.” When she stretched forward, apparently preparing to deliver her coup de grâce, she looked like a viper about to strike.

  “Eden Whitney is nothing but a lightskirt,” Calista said in carrying tones. “She’s not fit to be seen in polite company, and I intend to tell that to everyone I know. Sir Malcolm gave me all the details, and I assure you they’re shocking in the extreme.”

  When Sir Malcolm let out an agonized moan, Edie rolled her eyes. He was truly a disgusting excuse for a man.

  “Good heavens,” Mamma exclaimed as she pushed her way through a gaggle of matrons. She scowled at her daughters. “I certainly hope you’re not engaging in one of your silly arguments with Lady Calista, my dears. I will be most disappointed in all of you if such is the case.”

  Then her gaze landed on Sir Malcolm, changing in a blink from disapproving to downright furious. The coward cringed and took a step back.

  “What is he doing here?” Mamma demanded.

  “I haven’t a clue,” Edie said. “But I can assure you that he and Lady Calista were just leaving.”

  Edie plucked her sister’s cup of punch from her hand and splashed it across Sir Malcolm’s pristine white waistcoat. She saved her own cup for Calista’s cream and yellow bodice. Her timing was impeccable because the colorful punch made contact just as Calista’s mother sailed up to their group.

  In the ensuing bedlam, Edie was almost swept off her feet. She staggered, her shoulders colliding with something that felt like a granite wall. A pair of large hands clamped onto her waist, steadying her.

  She wriggled around, looking up then up again past a brawny chest and a pair of exceedingly wide shoulders. Riveting gray eyes, glittering with laughter, stared down at her.

  Gilbride’s teasing brogue rose above the mayhem. “Well, Miss Whitney, what say you to Scotland now?”

  Chapter Four

  It was going to be a very long trip north.

  “It’s time,” Mamma announced as she marched into Edie’s bedroom. “The carriages are loaded up and ready to depart. We do not want to keep the horses standing about.”

  Edie was fully aware of the activity around the two large travel coaches parked in front of her father’s town house. For the last half hour, servants had swarmed over the conveyances like worker bees, strapping on trunks and stuffing band boxes, valises, blankets, food baskets, and a dozen other things deemed essential for the lengthy trip and a winter spent in the Highlands.

  For the last half hour, Edie and Evelyn had been sitting by the window, clasping hands as they held watch. Not a single word was needed to express their grief. Edie had the oddest feeling that once the carriage passed the outskirts of the city, some invisible thread connecting them would snap, and something vital inside would die.

  Evelyn rose and pulled Edie up with her. “I am always with you,” her twin said fiercely. She took one of Edie’s hands and pressed it over her heart. “Right here. Always here. Nothing can truly separate us.”

  Edie forced a smile, blinking back tears. “Not even Wolf?”

  Evelyn emphatically shook her head. “Not even him.”

  “You are such a terrible liar. All that man has to do is snap his fingers, and you lay right down at his feet.”

  Evelyn let out a watery laugh. “That doesn’t mean I need you any less. Besides, Will would never make me choose, and you know it.”

  More than anyone, Wolf understood the strength of the sisters’ bond and knew their lives would always be intertwined. He’d never displayed a shred of jealousy or been anything less than supportive. Edie wondered if she would ever find a man as loving, loyal, and accepting as Wolf Endicott.

  “Come along, Eden,” Mamma said. “I’m sure Captain Gilbride wishes to be on his way. The sooner we start, the sooner this dreadful trip will be over.”

  “I’m coming,” Edie sighed.

  Her mother had adopted a martyred attitude ever since the debacle at Lady Neal’s ball. Edie could only hope she wouldn’t spend the entire trip acting like she was about to be thrown into a cage full of wild beasts.

  “Last chance to turn back, Mamma,” she said, only half-joking. “No need for both of us to suffer.”

  Her mother cast a pious gaze up to the ceiling, as if visualizing her ascension into the heavens. Edie was beginning to think that Mamma was mining the situation for every ounce of drama so as to inflict the maximum dose of maternal guilt.

  Her strategy was working.

  “No, Eden,” she answered. “After all, I am partly responsible for this dreadful turn of events.”

  Edie and Evelyn exchanged startled glances.

  “You are?” Edie asked.

  “Yes. I allowed your father to indulge you and give you far too much freedom. Now I must accept the consequences of my accommodating nature.”

  “Oh, good God,” Evelyn muttered.

  “You’re a saint, Mamma,” Edie said in a dry voice. Leave it to her mother to accept responsibility in such a way that put most of the blame on poor Papa. “I don’t know how you put up with horrible old me.”

  Cora’s timely entrance prevented the impending reprimand.

  “The luggage coach is ready to leave, my lady,” the maid said to Mamma. “Davis is already downstairs and I just have to fetch Miss Eden’s jewel box.”

  Davis was Mamma’s dresser. She and Cora would be riding in the second coach along with the mountains of baggage.

  “Very well,” Mamma said. “If Captain Gilbride is agreeable, you may get underway. We’ll see you tonight at the inn.”

  When Cora fetched the small wooden cask from Edie’s dressing table, her mother frowned. “That isn’t your regular box, Eden. Why are you taking so little jewelry?”

  “It’s Scotland, Mamma. I doubt there will be many opportunities to show off the family jewels. Besides, we’ll probably end up getting robbed by a gang of highwaymen or bloodthirsty Highlanders. I don’t see any point in giving them all my good things.”

  “It’s better to have something decent to give them, so they don’t kill you,” Evelyn said with a rueful smile. “You know how Highlanders feel about Sassenachs.”

  “You are both being ridiculous,” Mamma said. “The Highlands are all the rage these days, thanks to Mr. Scott’s books and poems. Besides, the Earl of Riddick is an exceedingly rich man, so I’m certain everything will be quite fashionable.”

  “Just wait until they start playing the bagpipes, serving haggis and blood pudding, and wearing smelly old sheepskins,” Edie said. “And Gilbride told me they don’t even wear smalls underneath the kilts. Imagine how shocking that will be on a windy day, Mamma.”

  Her mother glared at them, then pivoted on her heel and stalked out of the room.

  “You shouldn’t tease her,” Evelyn said. “You’ll only make things wor
se.”

  “You’re one to talk. Besides, she did not have to come with me. I’m sure we could have found some impecunious cousin to act as chaperone.”

  “Mamma’s convinced that she’s the only one who can control you.”

  “And look how well that’s been working out,” Edie said. She took one last look around her bedroom, taking in the elegant chinoiserie wallpaper, the dainty furniture, and the four-poster bed with its luxurious bedclothes and pile of plump, soft pillows. She’d spent many hours reading and daydreaming in this room and longing for adventure. Now she was certainly embarking on an adventure, just not one she’d hoped for.

  And then there was Gilbride. Edie hadn’t the foggiest idea what to do about him other than to stay as far away from him as possible.

  Still, she had to give him credit for his quick thinking the other night at the ball. In the midst of the pandemonium, Gilbride had picked her up off her feet and walked her backward out of the ballroom. Edie could still recall her shock at having his brawny body plastered along her back and the ease with which he’d carted her away.

  Evelyn led her out to the hall. “I’m sorry you have to put up with Mamma without anyone else from the family to back you up.”

  “Don’t worry. She can’t stay mad at me forever.”

  “That’s because she never got mad at you before.”

  “True enough. It’s like wandering into a foreign country. I’ll have to send you regular dispatches to ask for guidance.”

  “I can tell you exactly what to do right now,” Evelyn said drily. “Stay out of her way.”

  “I can only hope Captain Gilbride’s manor house is big enough for us to avoid each other.”

  “It’s a castle, Edie. A big one.”

  Edie came to a halt at the top of the staircase. “How do you know?”

  “I asked, silly. I believe Alec described it as an ancient stone pile at the end of a valley, complete with battlements, towers, and ghosts.”

  “Ugh. No doubt the three witches from Macbeth are in residence, too.”

  Evelyn laughed. “At least Will, Papa, and I will be meeting you in Edinburgh for Christmas. Won’t that be fun?”

  “Let’s just hope Mamma and I haven’t killed each other by then,” Edie said, following her sister down the stairs.

  They were met with the last-minute bustle of departure in the front hall. Servants milled about, and Matt huddled next to the long-case clock as if trying to blend into the background. Mamma was talking to Papa and giving last-minute instructions to the housekeeper and the butler.

  “You mustn’t worry,” Papa was saying to his wife. “The staff and I will keep everything in fighting trim.”

  “You’re not used to managing things without me,” Mamma said in a fretful voice. “Goodness knows what will happen when I’m gone.”

  Edie knew exactly what would happen when they were gone. Things would continue to run as smoothly as ever, since Mamma had little to do with household management. Evelyn would continue to keep her eye on things, as she had been for years.

  Her mother let out a dramatic sigh. “My dear sir, I fear you will be quite lost without me.”

  Edie had to hold back a snort. If she knew her father, he was bursting with joy at the notion of six weeks or more of peace and quiet. Despite his rather pathetic attempts to look mournful, the twinkle in his eye confirmed her suspicions.

  But his good cheer evaporated when Edie said her good-byes. “I’m sorry, Papa,” she whispered as he folded her into a comforting embrace. “I wish I hadn’t caused such a fuss.”

  “Well, it will pass,” he said. “Take care of your mother, and be sure to write to your poor old father when you have the chance.”

  She readily promised she would. What else would she have to do, buried in the Highlands for this long time?

  “Come on, old girl,” Matt said, coming forward to take her arm. “Might as well get it over with.”

  “You make it sound like she’s going to the gallows,” Evelyn said as they followed their parents outside.

  “Well, it is Scotland. In the winter,” Edie said. “That does sound almost as bad as going to the gallows.”

  She clamped her lips shut when she saw Gilbride, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His gaze was full of mockery, which told her that he’d heard her comments.

  “Now, what was that ye were sayin’ about my beloved homeland, lassie?” he asked as he stood next to Wolf. “Surely ye can’t be thinkin’ it’s anything but heaven on earth.”

  “Oh, God,” she muttered. “Please, not the brogue.”

  He simply laughed.

  Gilbride’s deep, aristocratic voice normally carried only a hint of his native land. But whenever he wished to tease someone—or trick a person into thinking he was nothing more than a big oaf from the Highlands—he affected a heavy but natural brogue. Eden found it to be an entirely irritating practice.

  It didn’t help that she’d often been the target of his Highland ruse. When she’d finally discovered that he was not, in fact, a dolt but a deadly and accomplished military spy, she’d been mortified to realize that he’d been playing her for a fool the entire time.

  Well, she would not let the blasted man get the better of her again.

  She gave him a toothy smile. “Captain Gilbride, far be it from me to criticize, but you might be surprised to learn that it’s rude to eavesdrop on people’s private conversations. Since, however, you have only recently returned to polite society, I feel certain you would wish me to point out any little mistakes you might make.”

  “Oh, Edie,” her sister said, choking back a laugh.

  “Goodness, Eden, that is no way to talk to our host,” Mamma huffed. “Captain Gilbride is doing us the greatest of favors. I insist that you treat him with more respect.”

  “Have to agree with Mamma there, old girl,” Matt chimed in. “Mustn’t be insulting the fellow who’s going to be putting up with you for the next five months.”

  Lovely. A family scold—just what she needed. She silently fumed at Gilbride as he regarded her with a teasing grin.

  Fortunately, Papa stepped into the awkward breach. “Now, now, Edie was just funning. I’m sure the captain understands that.”

  “And let’s not forget that Alec can be immensely irritating,” Wolf added, winking at Edie. “I find that giving him a good whack in the head on a regular basis is the best way to keep him in line.”

  Everyone laughed except Mamma.

  “You’re right about that, laddie,” Gilbride said, “and I’m sure Miss Whitney appreciates the advice. But I think we’d best be on our way.”

  That timely reminder stifled their laughter. Edie had delayed as long as possible, but now there was nothing to do but board the coach and be on her way. It was the moment she’d been dreading for days.

  While her father helped his wife mount the steps, Edie turned to her sister one last time. Evelyn took her hands, her mouth drawn into a tragic line, her eyes filling with tears.

  “Good-bye, love,” Edie said. Her chest felt so tight she could barely draw in a breath. “Take care of yourself.”

  Evelyn threw her arms around her. “Write if you need me,” she said in a fierce whisper. “I’ll come right away, no matter what.”

  Edie closed her eyes and hugged back, trying to draw the comfort deep into her bones. She would never love anyone as much as she loved her twin, and saying good-bye was the hardest thing she’d ever done. Panic flared up, and she had to battle against a premonition that she might never see her sister again.

  Her twin drew back a bit, her hands on Edie’s shoulders. Her gaze was warm with love. “You’re not to worry, pet. I promise that nothing bad will happen to either of us while we’re apart.”

  A reluctant laugh broke from Edie’s throat. “I’ll happily take that promise.”

  Wolf gently drew them apart. “I’ll take care of Evie. You may count on it.”

  Edie went up on her toes to kiss his cheek. �
��You’d better, or I’ll come back and kill you, scandal or no scandal. You know how reckless Evie can be, so I’m counting on you to keep her safe.”

  Evelyn huffed out a little laugh. “Yes, that’s me—the reckless one.” She turned to Gilbride, standing by the carriage steps and looking uncharacteristically solemn. “And you take care of my sister, Alec, or I’ll kill you.” Her tone of voice made it clear she wasn’t making an idle threat.

  Gilbride took Evelyn’s hand and bowed over it. “I pledge you my word that I will treat Lady Reese and your sister with all the care and affection I would my own family. I promise no harm will come to either of them.”

  His deep, serious voice had Edie tearing up again. It was, quite frankly, annoying. Just when she thought Gilbride couldn’t get more irritating, the blasted man managed to sneak through her defenses again.

  Wolf clapped Gilbride on the back. “Stay out of trouble, old son,” he said. “I’ll miss you.”

  As the men made their gruff good-byes, it dawned on Edie that this must be a wrenching leave-taking for them, too. Wolf and Gilbride had spent the last several years as close as brothers, comrades in the war against the French.

  As Evelyn and Wolf stepped back, Gilbride took Edie’s hand. “Ready, Miss Whitney?” His tone was kind, but somehow it still sounded like a challenge.

  She forced a bright smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  It was a lie, of course. She wasn’t ready at all.

  “That was the worst meal I have ever eaten,” her mother said as they made their way back to the carriage. “I suppose it could have been worse, though. We might have had to stay overnight. Whatever was the captain thinking to choose this stop?”

  “Oh, come, Mamma,” Edie said, trying to be cheerful despite the melancholy that dragged like an anchor on her spirit. “It wasn’t that bad.”

  Her mother stopped in the middle of the yard to stare at her, oblivious to the grooms, stable boys, and assortment of vehicles and horses that crowded the forecourt of the Red Fox.

  Edie shrugged. “Very well, it was awful. But it wasn’t Gilbride’s fault. The serving girl told me the cook broke her ankle yesterday, and the innkeeper’s wife just had a baby. The poor man was obviously run off his feet.”