Page 14 of Two Nights with the Duke (Cherish and the Duke #3)

M alcolm realized he had been walking along the harbor for over an hour to cool himself down. The sun had set and a chill wind was blowing off the water, but he kept on walking. The tide was in and he could hear the light clanging of fishing boat bells as the crafts bobbed upon the waves. The moon was a faint silver glow behind a wispy layer of clouds.

There was nothing more beautiful than the shimmer of moonlight upon the water.

He wanted Jocelyn to share this sight with him, but he was not about to return to the inn and drag her out now. In truth, he ought to be heading back before even the tavern lanterns dimmed and the streets became dangerous to walk alone.

He turned and strode back to the inn, suddenly aware someone was following him. He quickened his pace to put distance between him and the man dogging his steps. Was it some dockside ruffian thinking he was an easy mark? Or had Ballantry set a man on him in the hope of silencing him?

Doubtful it was Ballantry, for he had too much at stake to risk his secret getting out.

As the inn came into view, Malcolm spared a glance behind him and saw a darkened shape that resembled Burling’s rotund form.

Was that a knife in his hand?

He saw the glint of something metal as the moon’s reflection fell upon the man and Malcolm saw him clearly. “Coward,” he muttered, dismissing the drunken sot. Burling would never summon the courage to attack him. The resentful oaf was just playing out a fantasy.

Well, perhaps he was drunk enough to lose all reason and put his thoughts to action. But it was too late now that Malcolm was nearing the inn. There were too many people around.

Burling snarled at him and lumbered away.

“Arse,” Malcolm muttered, dismissing the wastrel as he strode through the entry and started up the steps to return to his suite.

He was still unsure what to say to Jocelyn. The lass thought he was angry with her, but he was not at all. What he felt was frustration in not being able to tell her all that he had discovered about Ballantry.

The church clerics, Terrence, and the investigators knew of Ballantry’s secret. That was already too many people. He trusted Terrence, of course, and knew the clerics would keep the matter confidential. He hoped the Edinburgh investigators would do the same. He’d certainly paid them enough for their discretion.

The only value in this information was in its remaining secret.

Perhaps he would have confided in Jocelyn if not for one problem…in hiding the truth, he was also harming Ballantry’s nephew. Not that he owed the lad anything, but Jocelyn would be angry when she found out he’d known of Ballantry’s lies and yet never said a word to the nephew.

His first duty was to protect Jocelyn, was it not? This was what he had pledged to do.

But how would she be protected if Ballantry, having lost his title and all the privileges and protections that came with it, decided she was the cause of his ruin and came after her?

The situation was already a mess with Burling feeling resentful and trying to summon the courage to stab Malcolm. Not that this frightened him in the least, for the man was incompetent and truly a coward at heart. In truth, he was relieved that Burling had trained his anger on him and not Jocelyn.

But Jocelyn’s former betrothed was another matter entirely. He did not want Ballantry’s anger festering to the point that he went after Jocelyn, for it was clear he blamed her for his misfortune. However, the man would behave himself so long as he received his settlement.

The suite was dark when Malcolm walked in, but he knew his way around the furniture well enough not to bump into anything without light to guide him.

He contemplated stretching out on the settee for the night. An uncomfortable night’s sleep was better than climbing into bed with Jocelyn and having her kick him out. But he was too big for the settee and would fall off it the moment he shifted position. Anyway, he did not like the idea of sleeping apart from Jocelyn.

What was his Silver Duke experience good for if he could not convince her to let him remain in their bed?

He let out a breath and decided to tempt fate. Walking into the bedroom, he quietly sat on the bed to remove his boots.

Jocelyn stirred as the mattress dipped and she began to slide toward him.

He heard the soft swish of the coverlet as she sat up. “Camborne?”

“Aye, lass. I dinna mean to wake ye.”

She lit the candle by her bedside, and then turned to face him. “You didn’t. I wasn’t able to fall asleep without you beside me.”

“Och, sweetheart. I’m here now.” He set aside his boots and then began to remove his clothing, relieved when she merely watched him complete the task and said nothing as he slipped under the covers beside her. “Will ye let me hold ye in my arms?”

She emitted a ragged sigh. “Do you want to? I thought you were angry with me.”

“I was angry with myself. It was never my intention to keep anything from ye. I would no’ have done it, but there is no other way. It is not something I can reveal to anyone. Ye’re the first person I would confide in, if I could. I wish ye would trust me.”

“I do,” she admitted, casting him a remorseful smile. “I should not have pushed you. It was wrong of me not to take you at your word and simply let it go.”

“Ye had the right to ask. I dinna blame ye for it. Nor am I happy that I had to put ye off.” He drew her into his arms. “Thank ye for understanding, lass. Are we all right?”

“Yes,” she said, wrapping her arms around him as she nestled against his body. “I love you.”

Those simple words were sweeter than an angel’s chorus.

“Och, lass.” He rolled her under him and kissed her with fierce longing.

And proceeded to show her just how much he desired her.

*

Come morning, Malcolm awoke to find Jocelyn still nestled against him, both of them in a tangle of limbs and sheets.

He should have told her that he loved her.

And after their disagreement of last night, she was not going to press him on anything.

He’d accused Burling of being a coward, but was he not one also? How hard could it be to admit his feelings for Jocelyn? He’d given her the locket, claimed it came with his heart. But he had not said the actual words.

I love ye.

He stared down at her lovely face in repose, her long, sooty lashes delicately at rest, her lips still rosy and slightly puffed from his kisses.

Aye, she had his love. She had his heart.

She had always been responsive when they coupled, beautiful in her passion. Last night was no exception. Perhaps it was relief she felt in their not fighting upon his return. Whatever her reasons, she gave all of herself to him, and it was indescribably good.

Were he less of a cynical arse, he would believe they had achieved a “oneness” in their marital relations. A true blending of hearts and a union of souls that he had never thought possible to achieve in a lifetime, much less in a matter of weeks. This was the bond of marriage.

He understood what this meant now. This bond was a realization that nothing could ever come between them to break them apart. There would be no running away. They would face each challenge together.

The relief Jocelyn must have felt had him feeling ashamed.

He would tell her that he loved her…soon. He would tell her once they were through with Ballantry and the situation over her dowry, which was another secret he was keeping from her.

Would he lose her over these secrets?

He kissed her lightly on the forehead. She fluttered her eyes open and then smiled at him. “Good morning, Camborne…my dearest husband.”

He chuckled lightly. “Ye’re awake, then?”

She purred like a kitten while stretching her limbs, and then drew the covers around her when she sat up. “I’m awake. I seem to have lost my nightgown.”

“It’s somewhere here amid the sheets. But ye have no need of it yet, lass.” He cast her a wicked smile. “I’m thinking ye look perfect just as ye are.” He ran his fingers through her silken curls, loving the way they fell in a wild tumble over her shoulders and down her back.

She still wore her locket, which was the only item she had on her otherwise naked body. He’d accidentally licked it about a dozen times last night, flicking his tongue over the precious metal each time he put his mouth to her breast, meaning to suckle her soft bud instead of clanking his teeth against the locket.

Not that he was complaining.

They had both ended the night thinking the other one hated them and that matters were going to end terribly. Instead, they had strengthened their bond of love, both of them relieved the other one cared…and then gone at it like a pair of wild monkeys.

Best sex ever.

“Och, lass. Yer body’s so soft and warm.”

“Are you thinking of turning up the heat?”

“I was seriously thinking of it. But I had better not touch ye again this morning. Ye must be sore after what we did last night.”

She blushed. “We did exert ourselves, didn’t we?”

He grinned as he nodded, and then gave her a lingering kiss on the lips before rolling out of bed.

She sighed and searched for her nightgown. “Ah, here it is.”

While he was slipping on his trousers and shirt, she donned her nightgown and robe, then went to the window to look out over the water. “Camborne…”

He looked up as he finished putting on his boots. “Aye, lass?”

She cast him a familiar, impudent grin. “The air is filled with sunshine and we have been married for fifteen days.”

He came to her side and lifted her in his arms. “There’ll always be sunshine for us, sweetheart.”

She laughed and grabbed his shoulders. “I hope so.”

“I know it will be so.” He kissed her again and then set her down. “I’ll be heading to the solicitor’s office shortly. What do ye plan to do while I’m gone?”

“Other than spend the hours missing your splendid body?”

“Before it sags and turns wrinkled,” he muttered with a snort.

She laughed. “I had no idea you Silver Dukes were such preening cocks. First of all, I doubt anything of yours is ever going to sag. You are not idle enough for that to ever happen. As for wrinkles,” she said, placing a hand to his cheek and lovingly stroking it, “we shall probably wrinkle together, and our eyesight will fade so that we will never see each other’s imperfections.”

“Gad, I’ve a mind to take ye straight back to bed and not let ye out of it all day.” He was going to take her into his arms again, but a knock at their door swiftly put that intention to rest.

“Who could that be?” Jocelyn said as she stared at the door. “Still a bit early for my parents, don’t you think? But I’m pleased that Mama has been doing much better these past few days. I thought to take her for a little shopping along the high street while you were taking care of matters with Ballantry.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” Malcolm left her side to open the door. “Lord Granby.” He was surprised to find Jocelyn’s father already up and dressed. “Is it yer wife? Shall I summon a doctor?”

Granby shook his head. “She’s fine. I’m sorry if I alarmed ye. The thing of it is, Camborne…I need to talk to ye.”

Jocelyn came to Malcolm’s side. “What’s wrong, Papa? Can it not wait until my husband finishes his business with Ballantry?”

“No, lass. We won’t be long.”

Malcolm frowned, for he suspected the business Jocelyn’s father wanted dealt with this morning was the same thing the man had been bothering him about these past two weeks—the matter of transferring fifty thousand pounds into the account set aside for Jocelyn’s dowry.

He was not frowning over the fact that he had promised to give it over, or that her father was not letting up on reminding him until the matter was done. His irritation was in Jocelyn’s father continuing to lie to her .

To put it more accurately, Malcolm did not like being complicit in this deception, and it worried him that Jocelyn might not forgive so easily this time…or forgive him at all.

He was not a praying man, but was heartily doing so now. He hoped their bonds of marriage were strong enough to overcome yet another disappointment on her part.

Assuming she ever found out.

He sighed. “All right. I’ll meet ye downstairs in fifteen minutes.”

“Thank ye, Camborne,” her father said with a nod. “Ye’re a good lad.”

Lad ? Malcolm hadn’t been a little boy in ages. His childhood ended with the deaths of his parents and siblings.

“Bollocks,” he muttered, stalking into the bedchamber to wash and properly dress while Jocelyn remained chatting with her father by the door.

He heard her ask about her mother’s health.

“She’s hale, lass. Take her shopping, as ye planned. The outing will do her good. Och, I needn’t stand here while yer husband gets himself ready. I’ll be downstairs waiting for him.”

Jocelyn shut the door after her father and then joined Malcolm in their bedchamber. He’d tossed on some casual clothes when he awoke, thinking to take a quick look around the inn and then bring up a pot of tea and some scones from the dining room for them to share as they leisurely prepared for the day.

That plan had changed with her father’s appearance. Was the old man worried about something more than Jocelyn’s dowry?

He smiled at Jocelyn when she joined him in their bedroom and settled on the bed to watch as he began to shave. “You appeared impatient with my father.”

“He thinks I want yer dowry, which I dinna want and couldn’t care less about.”

“ I care about it. It is my contribution to the marriage and I am proud to provide it. But I think my father is more concerned with the entirety of our situation. Not merely the dowry but my marital settlement. His worry has to be that I will be given nothing should something happen to you or should we part ways.”

“I’m not parting from ye, lass.”

She smiled. “Oh, I know. We resolved that question rather thoroughly last night.”

“Not quite, lass.” He grinned as he lathered his chin. “I think it deserves more exploration tonight. Much more exploration.”

She laughed, but then sobered after a moment. “Seriously, Camborne. He must want the matter formalized before he and my mother return to Granby.”

“Aye, lass.” But he knew it was mostly about that dowry and the fact it had all been spent. Her father had been fretting about it for days now, taking Malcolm aside at odd moments every day to make certain he was not going to renege on his promise.

Malcolm understood the root of this irritating behavior was her father’s guilt over losing it all. But if he felt all that guilty, then why not simply confess to Jocelyn? The lass was all about sentiment and feelings, not wealth.

She still had not pressed him about what he was going to settle on her beyond the funds he had already placed in an account for her. It was a goodly sum, but a mere fraction of his wealth. He would add more once she had the chance to tour his properties and decide on her preferences. Of course, he could not give her the entailed properties. But he had plenty of unencumbered assets as well.

“Camborne,” she said as though reading his mind, “I know you want me to set out a list of my demands, but I have none. The one hundred thousand pounds you’ve given me is an enormous sum. And you’ve already told me the fifty thousand pounds you’ll receive as my dowry portion is to be added to it. Even with all that, am I expected to demand more? It is pointless when all I want is to be happily married to you. Frankly, I am a little irritated with my father for bothering you about it. You’ve already given me more than Ballantry ever agreed to provide for me under our betrothal contract. In fact, his obligation was far less.”

“Because he is a wastrel who did not take care of his assets and therefore had far less to offer ye.”

She paused to give the matter more thought and then looked up at him in dismay. “We’ve been worried about my mother’s health all this time. Do you think my father is the one seriously ill and wants matters secure before he can no longer attend to them?”

“No, lass. He looks hale enough,” he hurried to assure her, gazing at her stricken expression. “He has a tendency to fret, just as ye do. I expect ye inherited that trait from him.”

He hoped she would not probe deeper.

“I do fret,” she admitted. “It is a much prettier word than ‘nagging,’ which I hope I do not do.”

“Och, lass. Ye’re a worrier, for certain. But ye do not nag. Perhaps I am also a worrier, for I want to ensure ye’ll always protected, especially if I am not around to see to yer safety. So, think seriously about what else ye would like in the marital contract. Yer father is right—it is important. And as I said, I have more to give ye than that lout Ballantry ever had.”

“I’ll delegate the matter to you, Camborne. Four gowns and a bulging bank account is more than I ever expected to receive. As far as I’m concerned, the only matter requiring discussion concerns what is to be settled on our children. But we don’t have any yet, so is it not a bit premature to discuss this?”

He frowned. “If we have no sons, ye’ll be set aside once my cousin inherits. Even if we do have a son, ye’ll merely be the dowager duchess once he marries. I’ll not have a greedy cousin, or some impudent slip of a girl who marries our son, thinking their status will ever be above yers.”

Jocelyn laughed. “You really are being quite apish about this. If your cousin inherits, so be it. I’ll be a rich widow and capable of caring for any daughters we might have. Same for the wife of our eldest son, assuming we have a son. She will be the reigning duchess. If she does not care to have me underfoot, then I will settle elsewhere.”

“Ye’ll do no such thing. I’ll no’ have any wife of mine reduced in standing. Ye’ll live where ye like, and no one is ever going to kick ye out. As for that ingrate daughter-in-law, I want ye to be the dragon dowager she fears.”

“Me? A dragon? I am not even a decent harpy.” She shook her head and laughed again. “Well, none of it is relevant, since we do not have a son.”

“Lass, I have not kept my hands off ye. I think the question is not if we will have any but how many we will have.” He finished shaving and took a moment to wipe the remains of the lather off his face. He then dressed in proper business attire, asking Jocelyn for assistance in doing up his cuffs.

She scrambled off the bed and came to stand before him. She barely reached his shoulder, so he saw only the top of her dark tumble of hair while she looked down at his cuff.

She was such a pretty thing.

“Jocelyn, if ye take yer mother shopping this morning, I want ye to bring Terrence along with ye.”

She glanced up at him. “Why? Do you think there is any danger? We are just going to walk up the high street, and not very far at that. We’ll probably stay within sight of the inn because my mother still tires easily.”

“I’m just being cautious, that’s all. No specific threat from anyone. However, Ballantry and Burling have to be disgruntled. There’s no telling what they might do.”

“We’ll be careful.” She smiled at him. “I’m sure Terrence will be delighted to watch us try on hats or inspect bolts of fabric.”

He finished dressing and started for the door. “Shall I send a maid up to help ye dress, lass?”

“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “My mother can help me. I’m going to stop next door and look in on her once you leave.”

He leaned forward to kiss her, loving the soft give of her mouth as he sank his lips onto hers. “Dinna forget to take Terrence with ye when ye go out.”

He strode downstairs, shaking his head at the realization that he was besotted with his wife. He already missed her and they had not been apart for even a minute.

Gad, he was pathetic. That little jeweler, Solomon Haggard, would be laughing heartily if he knew.

Jocelyn’s father was waiting for him by the entrance to the inn, pacing by the doorway. “What is the urgency, Granby? I’ve told ye a dozen times already that the arrangements for the transfer of funds from my account into the one ye held for yer daughter have been made. All I have to do is give the nod and those funds will be delivered. But that will no’ happen before Ballantry signs the settlement. So, why are ye dragging me away from yer daughter when I’m merely going to repeat what ye already know?”

“I want to know what yer terms are with Ballantry. I’m Jocelyn’s father. I have a right to be told.”

“And I’ve told ye before, they are confidential and I am not discussing them with ye.”

“But should I not be the one signing the settlement on Jocelyn’s behalf? After all, the betrothal agreement was a Granby matter, and I am head of the clan.”

“I am her husband now and responsible for her. The only signatures that matter are mine and Ballantry’s. In truth, all I care about is Ballantry’s, and he’ll be signing this afternoon.”

“How can ye be so certain? What if he fails to show up at yer solicitor’s office?”

Malcolm frowned. “Do ye know something that I do not? Out with it, Granby. We’re talking about yer daughter’s safety. Ye had better not be holding anything back.”

Granby glanced around nervously. “Walk outside with me. I dinna want us to be overheard.”

Malcolm did not like this one bit, but agreed to follow him. “All right. Tell me.”

“I overheard Ballantry and Burling fighting last night,” Granby said as they walked in the direction of the harbor. “It was a while after supper. They were standing out here, talking low and looking around furtively. I had come outside to smoke. My wife detests the odor of cigars, so she does not permit me to smoke in our room. I honor the request, of course, for I am ever mindful of her delicate heart condition.”

“Ye saw them whispering and scowling at each other,” Malcolm said, prodding the man back to the point.

“They were so intent on their argument, they failed to notice me in the shadows. I meant to walk away, but stopped when I heard them mention Jocelyn’s name.”

Malcolm instantly tensed. “What did they say?”

“Burling was demanding money from Ballantry, but he refused. He said Burling could get it from Jocelyn, but there was none to be had from him. Burling retorted that maybe he would do just that because she was… I canno’ repeat the vile terms he used to describe my daughter. He threatened Ballantry, too. But it was the way he spoke about my daughter that had me worried. I ran back to the inn and knocked at yer door last night, but Jocelyn said ye had gone out.”

“So ye walked away and told her nothing?” Malcolm struggled to maintain his composure and not throttle the earl. How could he just walk away from Jocelyn and tell her nothing?

“I could never repeat such a vile thing and upset my daughter.”

Malcolm raked a hand through his hair. “Ye left her knowing she was alone and defenseless.”

“Och, calm yerself, Camborne. The pair were too busy fighting to plan anything last night. Ballantry stalked back to the inn, angry and disgusted with Burling. As for Burling, he just stormed off. I have no idea where he went, probably to some nearby tavern to get himself piss drunk. I knew Jocelyn would be safe enough. So, upon learning you were not there, I merely pretended I stopped by to invite ye for a drink and left it at that. But I had to tell ye now. Ye understand why I dared not speak in front of the lass.”

Malcolm stopped, as they were now almost out of sight of the inn. They had walked far enough, and he needed to get back to Jocelyn to warn her and also relay this information to Terrence. “Ye canno’ continue to shelter her, Granby. She is better off knowing of threats rather than being taken by surprise.”

“She’s my daughter. How can I scare her?”

“She will no’ be scared. She’ll appreciate being able to take whatever steps necessary to protect herself. Ye already know my thoughts on the matter. She is better off knowing everything ,” he said meaningfully, for it was time all of it, including the matter of her lost dowry, came to light.

But he saw by the stubborn set of Granby’s jowls that he was not ready to reveal the truth to his daughter. “Jocelyn has a delicate constitution. Ye cannot tell her any of what I have told ye. Ye’ve given me yer oath.”

“Not about Ballantry and Burling’s discussion,” Malcolm shot back, turning around and motioning for Granby to follow him back to the inn. If Jocelyn was able to endure three days on the run in a skimpy wedding frock and without funds enough for food, then she was not too fragile to be warned about Burling.

He already knew the sot was of a mind to hurt someone, since he’d been following Malcolm last night. It must have been shortly after he and Ballantry had their fight. “Terrence will be guarding your daughter and wife this morning while I meet with my solicitor. I’ll alert him to be especially on his guard.”

Granby gave an approving nod. “Aye, that will ease my worry.”

“I’m going to alert Jocelyn, as well. She needs to understand why she is to keep away from both of those churls.”

“But—”

Malcolm cut him short with a grunt. “Dinna give me that nonsense about her being yer little girl and too fragile to handle the information. She is a sensible woman and old enough to think for herself.”

Malcolm hurried back to the inn and ran upstairs. Jocelyn’s father lumbered a few paces behind him, struggling to keep up.

“Bollocks, the door’s open,” Malcolm muttered as the earl came up beside him. Taking but a trice to ensure no one was standing in the room with a pistol pointed at the door, he strode in and called for her.

His heart quickened when he received no response.

Nor would he get one, since she obviously wasn’t there.

Nevertheless, he called out again with more urgency. “Jocelyn!”

Where was she? Her gown was on the bed. Was she still in her nightclothes?

“She might be with my wife,” Granby remarked, noticing Malcolm’s dismay.

“Aye.” Malcolm followed Jocelyn’s father to his guest chamber, which was only a few steps away from the grand suite he shared with Jocelyn. He waited just outside their door while her father stepped in to make certain his wife was decent for company.

“My love, I have Camborne with me.”

“Oh, yes. Let him come in.”

Malcolm entered and immediately surveyed the elegantly appointed room. “Lady Granby, have ye seen yer daughter this morning?”

“No, I haven’t seen her yet. Why?”

Malcolm’s heart surged into his throat. “She isn’t in our quarters, and I dinna think she’s dressed. The door was left open and her gown is laid out on the bed.”

“Then she couldn’t have gone out,” her mother assured him with a light shrug, showing no concern.

Was he overreacting to the situation?

He did not think so.

But even if he was, so what? Was it not better to worry than to sit idly by while something dire might be happening?

His only comfort was that Jocelyn could not have been led out by Burling while still in her nightgown and robe without attracting everyone’s notice. She had to be somewhere inside the inn.

He tore downstairs and called for the proprietor.

The man scurried forward. “Yer Grace, is something amiss?”

“I need the key to Lord Burling’s room. Same for Lord Ballantry. Give them to me now or I’ll break their doors down.”

“I carry the master key on my person at all times. Follow me,” he said, hurrying up the stairs.

“Burling first,” Malcolm said. “Dinna knock. Just unlock it and then step aside.”

The man’s eyes widened, but he did as asked.

Malcolm cautiously stepped in. The drapes were drawn and the room reeked of spilled brandy and stale body odor. Burling was snoring in his bed and soundly asleep. A perusal of the room showed no one else present.

“Blast,” Malcolm muttered, for Burling was in his nightshirt and nightcap. He certainly would have been noticed walking around the hallways dressed like that. “Take me to Ballantry’s room.”

The innkeeper hastily locked Burling’s door and then scampered two doors down, pausing in front of the first room at the foot of the stairs. “Lord Ballantry’s downstairs having breakfast, Your Grace. Perhaps we ought to ask him for—”

“Open it,” Malcolm commanded. “I’ll not be wasting time asking for his permission.”

“Your Grace, what is it you are looking for? Perhaps I can help,” the proprietor said as Malcolm stepped into Ballantry’s room and raked a hand through his hair in frustration as he looked about the mess.

Where was Jocelyn?

“How long has he been seated downstairs?”

“Oh, about half an hour, I would say.”

Malcolm had only left his wife about twenty minutes ago. “Duchess Jocelyn…”

The proprietor’s eyes brightened. “Oh, she’s seated with yer man, that Terrence fellow. They’re having breakfast.”

“What?” Malcolm shook his head, certain he had not heard right.

“She walked in just a few minutes ago. I doubt she’s started eating yet. Ye’ll catch up to her if ye—”

“She’s there? Having her breakfast? In her nightclothes?” Malcolm was now utterly confused.

The proprietor frowned as they walked out of Ballantry’s chamber and he locked the door behind them. “What makes ye think she is in her nightclothes, Yer Grace? She’s wearing a pretty gown. But then, she’s quite a beautiful lass, if I may be so bold as to remark.”

Malcolm stifled a groan. “My apologies for disturbing ye. Seems my wife and I got our information crossed, and I worried needlessly.”

“Were ye worried those two lords might have been up to mischief? We all noticed how they were scowling as they kept their eyes on ye and yer wife yesterday. Unhealthy, if ye ask me. Quite menacing. Do ye wish me to toss them out? I’ll gladly do it. They’re more trouble than they’re worth.”

Malcolm sighed. “I expect Lord Ballantry will be gone by tomorrow. Once he leaves, I doubt Lord Burling will have reason to stay on. My wife is downstairs, ye say? With my man, Terrence?”

“Aye, Yer Grace.”

“Thank goodness,” he mumbled, and then marched back downstairs along with the proprietor, who was staring at him in puzzlement.

Aye, he could have just asked the man whether he had seen Jocelyn and knew where she was. But he had gone apish over the possibility she had been abducted.

He found Jocelyn indeed seated with Terrence. Beside them was her father, who had remained downstairs while Malcolm was tearing through the inn, dragging the poor proprietor from chamber to chamber in the crazed belief she had been the victim of foul play. “Granby, ye might have mentioned ye’d found her,” he grumbled, taking a seat beside Jocelyn.

“I happened upon her just now,” Granby replied. “I was about to have one of the maids run up to tell ye. But ye’re here and all is well.”

Aye, all was well…if one overlooked that Malcolm had made a disruptive jackass of himself while scouring the inn.

Jocelyn noticed his frown. “What is the matter?”

He let out a heavy breath. “I turned into a wild ape when I returned to find our door open and yer gown laid out on the bed. Then yer mother reported she hadn’t seen ye. I thought…”

She inhaled lightly. “Oh, I did tell you that I would knock at her door. Then I changed my mind because I thought it might still be too early for her to rise. A maid passed by as I was contemplating what to do, so I had her assist me with my gown. You thought I had been abducted?”

“Aye, lass. As I said, our door was open and yer gown was laid out on the bed…as though ye were interrupted before ye had the chance to dress. What was I to think?”

She cast him a gentle smile. “I’m so sorry I worried you. The gown you found on the bed was the one I decided not to wear because it was wrinkled. The maid who helped me took it to the inn’s laundress to give it a quick pressing. She must have returned it.”

“And left our door ajar for anyone to walk in,” Malcolm muttered.

“It could not have been for more than a moment. She was going to clean our room while we were down here having our breakfast. Do not get her into trouble simply because she darted out a moment to fetch something.”

Malcolm was not mollified. “That is no excuse. Anyone could have strolled in, stolen some of our valuables. Or lain in wait for ye.”

“The poor girl was harried because the inn was short of staff this morning and she has had to be in three places at once. Besides, what valuables do we have? I’m wearing the locket you gave me, and you always carry your valuables on your person. What were they going to steal? My silk undergarments?”

“Jocelyn!” her father cried. “Ye are in company, lass.”

“Forgive me, Papa,” she replied, not sounding at all contrite. “I will not mention my unmentionables again. But my husband was obviously worried that I had fallen victim to foul play, so I hardly think my unmentionables are the issue.”

She frowned at her father. “Is this the reason you asked for a moment of his time? I thought it was odd that you were up and about so early. Had you heard something worrisome and wanted to convey it to my husband? Why not tell me?”

Her father blushed. “I did not wish to frighten ye, lass. Ye’re my little girl. It is my responsibility to take care of ye.”

“And now it is my husband’s. But you still should have told me.” She turned to Malcolm, obviously not wanting to receive a watered-down version of the story from her father but the entire truth. “What did he tell you?”

Her father groaned as Malcolm began to relate the conversation between Ballantry and Burling with detailed accuracy. “Terrence, I need ye to stay close to Jocelyn and her mother today. I’ll be busy with my solicitor much of the morning, and then Ballantry is to join us this afternoon.”

“One hopes,” Jocelyn interjected.

“Aye, lass.” Malcolm nodded. “He has every reason to accept this fair deal.”

She nibbled her lip. “But Burling appears to have been cut out by everyone and is angry. Is he the one we must worry about? I always thought he was an oily creature. Do you think he is desperate enough to commit violence? To what end? He only damages himself. He is not a peer and would have no privileges accorded to him.”

“Who knows what might run through any man’s mind if he feels trapped like an animal and has no other way out? But Burling has been ineffectual all of his life. Even when enraged, he is a bumbling fool.”

She stared at Malcolm for the longest moment. “Perhaps he can be bought off cheaply.”

“Bought off?” He arched an eyebrow in surprise. “Ye were adamantly against it until this very moment. Why should he be bought off? Ye know I am going to protect ye.”

“So am I,” her father intoned.

Malcolm frowned at him.

Jocelyn continued, unaware of the tension between him and her father. “Great, now both of you might get hurt. And Terrence, too. I would never forgive myself if harm befell any of you. Camborne, take whatever ye wish of my dowry and buy him off. Make him go away.”

“No, Jocelyn. He is just a pig at the trough. If we give him anything, he’ll only come around asking for more a month from now.”

She resumed nibbling her luscious lower lip. “But this disappointment is fresh in his mind now and making him unreasonably angry. As you just indicated, we cannot reason with an unreasonable man. Give him something to mollify him.”

“No. He gets nothing. Why are ye so insistent, lass?”

She tipped her chin into the air. “Why are you suddenly so against it when you were the one willing to bribe him when we were in Arbroth?”

“Ye weren’t married to me then, and the threat to yer reputation was real. However, we are husband and wife now, so he has no secrets to relate to the gossip rags that can harm ye. He lost his leverage upon our marriage. I am not going to let him squeeze us now.”

“Even if it leaves me in danger?”

“The man is a coward. He was following me last night, had his blade in hand, but was too afraid to confront me. Terrence will be guarding ye whenever I am not here to do it. Just stay close to the inn. Venture no farther than the high street, which is all ye planned to do anyway because of yer mother’s frailty.”

“I’ll be with ye, too,” her father remarked. “I’ll not let anyone harm my little girl.”

Jocelyn reached over and hugged him. “You are the best father. I’m so very sorry I put you and Mama through all this. You were not keen on my marrying Ballantry while everyone else in the family pushed me to move forward. I should have listened to you instead of being so contrary. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Nothing to forgive, lass,” her father insisted, hugging her back. “We are family and must stand together no matter what mistakes are made. Is that not so?”

“Yes, Papa. Thank you.” She hugged him again.

Malcolm groaned inwardly.

Jocelyn believed her father was speaking of her misbegotten agreement to marry Ballantry and then running away from her wedding. But the man was obviously thinking of her dowry that he’d spent down to nothing.

He stared at her father. Granby refused to look back at him.

“But, Papa,” Jocelyn continued, “you really should have warned me of the threat last night and not waited until this morning to relay it to my husband. Promise me that you will not ever hide the truth from me again.”

Her father mumbled something, then hugged his daughter again. “I love ye, my Jocelyn.”

“Oh, Papa. I love you too.”

Malcolm could take no more of the deception.

He excused himself to meet with his solicitor, but gave a final warning. “Lass, stay close to Terrence. Dinna stray far from the inn. I’ll be back as soon as Ballantry signs the settlement.”

Ballantry, seated at a table on the opposite side of the common room having his meal, had been staring at him and Jocelyn throughout.

Was he going to collude with Burling? To what end?

Burling had nothing to lose, but Ballantry had everything to lose if he stepped out of line. This also assumed he was thinking rationally.

What if he wasn’t?

Malcolm considered taking Jocelyn with him to the solicitor’s office to keep her close, but decided against it. If he did so, she would find out the terms of the settlement. She would realize Ballantry was not the rightful earl and then be furious that Malcolm had no intention of telling Ballantry’s nephew he had been deprived of his rightful title.

Much as he wished to keep her close, she could not come along with him.

Terrence, he noted, already had his eyes trained on Ballantry. He would do the same with Burling when the sot woke up and made his appearance.

Malcolm had no doubt Jocelyn would be safe with his trusted companion. No one was sharper or more watchful than Terrence.

He strode out of the inn and made his way to the bustling center of town, where his solicitor maintained his bureau. But each step away from Jocelyn felt like a mistake and haunted him.

Had he been wrong in refusing to toss a few coins at Burling to make him go away?

The man could not be so deranged as to seriously threaten Jocelyn, could he?

Or did Malcolm have cause to worry?