The happy couple had headed toward the cliffs for a walk before returning to the Harriman estate-if they hurried they could reach them and offer their felicitations. Which meant that Elinor would be a dead in a few short hours…or, if they reached her in time, merely a widow.

He and Charles went directly to the registry office, only to find out they were mere hours late. He only would have slowed them down, and Rohan had given him money and sent him back to Paris to watch out for Lydia, assuring him that they would bring Miss Elinor home safely. They’d lost Jacobs outside of Dover, but by then he’d told them all they needed of the layout of Dunnet and the great house. They’d been moving nonstop, racing across the southern coast. Not during the long, endless night he’d escaped across the channel, curled up in the bow of a small boat, determined not to cry, trying very hard not to wet himself. Not when he’d cradled his dying brother in his arms and looked up to see one of Butcher Cumberland’s men bearing down on him with a pike. Not when he followed his father and brother into battle at the age of seventeen, facing almost certain defeat. Pray God she could find at least one.įrancis Rohan had never been so terrified in his entire life. There were a thousand places to hide back there. She ducked under his arm and began to run down the pathway toward the old ruins. There wasn’t much inside, but it gave her the element of surprise. She held very still, and then at the last minute she moved, slamming her reticule against the side of his head. It was simple, clear, and she wasn’t going to simply let him kill her. We’d best hurry this up.” He moved toward her, but he’d underestimated her. “It looks as if we’re about to have guests. But since you were willing to come out here it seemed wiser to simply have done with it.” He looked over his shoulder and frowned. You spread your legs for Rohan, you could do the same for me. The shock of his words was enough to give her the strength to pull away. By all rights this place should be mine, not yours.” Surely you can see how wrong this all is? I had to do something about it. In fact, I’m your half brother-unable to inherit by English law, while your sister, with her unknown father, has more right to this place.

I’m afraid our relationship is much closer. “Haven’t you guessed? I must confess you’ve been surprisingly slow about all this. “If you’re not my cousin then who are you?” she asked. This was real madness, not the crazy joyousness of falling in love. I’d hope to be back home in time for tea.” I’m a great deal stronger than you are.” He patted her numb hand again. “I could pull you down with me,” she said in a cold little voice, feeling the first stirrings of anger.

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