My Highland Lord (Highland Lords) by Scott Tarah

Author:Scott, Tarah [Scott, Tarah]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Broken Arm Publishing
Published: 2013-06-25T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

At hearing her uncle's voice through the partially open door of the drawing room that evening, Phoebe halted in the hallway. “Lady Albery,” he was saying. “would you see what is keeping Phoebe, please?”

“What keeps Phoebe,” Phoebe muttered, “is the question of whether life in Newgate is worth shooting a certain marquess.” She opened the door and saw Kiernan rise from the chair located beside the couch where the Duke and Duchess of Ashlund sat.

“Phoebe." He crossed the room. “I'm pleased to see you.”

“Forgive me, Lord Ashlund. The time slipped by. Before I knew it, the clock had struck nine.” The hour she received his note saying that the duke and duchess would accompany them to the soiree.

Kiernan kissed her hand, lingering a second longer than was appropriate before releasing her. “You look lovely tonight, my dear. My father and Elise are here.”

“Yes,” Phoebe replied. “I received your note an hour ago.”

He gave no outward sign of noticing her reprimand and led her forward, stopping before the duke and duchess.

“Your Graces.” Phoebe curtsied.

The duke rose and took her hand in his. “Remember, lass, call me Father.”

Elise stood and gave her a hug. “So good to see you again, Phoebe. I hope all is well with you."

“Very well,” she replied. “But I have kept you waiting long enough. Shall we go?”

“Phoebe,” Kiernan said, “before we go, I have something for you. My father and Elise accompanied me this evening for a very special reason.” Kiernan reached into his pocket and produced a square velvet box.

Phoebe's heart jumped into her throat. "Lord Ashlund—"

“This was my mother’s.” He opened the box to reveal a single strand, diamond and emerald necklace, matching earrings, and a heavy banded emerald ring. He removed the ring and handed the box to his father.

Phoebe took a step back, but Kiernan caught her hand. Her hand felt ice cold against his warm fingers and her hand trembled as he slid the emerald onto her finger.

He looked at her and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “She would have liked you.”

“You should have waited,” Phoebe whispered, and cast an anxious glance at the duke. “Nothing has been decided.”

He gave a soft smile that said everything was, indeed, decided.

Kiernan released her and when he took the necklace from the box, Phoebe stood stock still while he walked around behind her. As she had the first night he’d kidnapped her, she wore her golden hair up. He settled the necklace around her neck. The cold stones seemed to seer her flesh, to scream faker.

While closing the clasp, he leaned forward and whispered, “One year, Phoebe. It would be wrong for me not to give you what is rightfully yours.” He grasped her shoulders and turned her, then reached for the earrings. Kiernan clipped one on each ear, then took a step back and surveyed her.

“Perfect. Have you a cloak?”

“In the hallway.”

“Then we are ready?” Kiernan surveyed the group.

“Oh, yes, indeed, sir,” Lady Albery said, dabbing at the moisture in the corner of her eyes.

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