He knew from one of Dermot’s letters that his wife was the youngest of five siblings. And the family was very protective, especially after a health scare Millie had survived the year before.

“My two brothers-in-law and their wives and children will be arriving soon, as are Lady Phoebe and Captain Bell and their infant. Captain Melfort, my partner here, is married to the eldest sister, Lady Jo. They live at the Tower House, a short walk from here, with their son. And of course, the Earl and Countess Aytoun will be here too. And in addition to all these guests, there’ll be—”

“I understand. You invited me, and now you have no room for me.”

“I’m so happy you understand, Bamberg.”

He smiled. “That’s no problem at all. I can stay in the village. I believe I saw a deserted hovel there as I rode through. I can ride over here and call on Lady Taylor—”

“There is an inn, but you don’t have to go that far. We have a small cottage on an island in the loch just beyond the Tower House. It would merely involve a pleasant walk and a very short boat ride. It’s much nearer than the village. And another thing in its favor, it lies in the direction where Lady Taylor takes her daily ramble.”

In Bavaria, Bamberg lived in the manner that was required of a nobleman of his standing. While in London or Edinburgh or one of the capitals on the continent, he kept a handful of servants. But when he traveled like this, he went alone. No servants. No carriage. He’d learned, as an explorer, that traveling unencumbered was often the best way. And though he was teasing Dermot, he’d roughed it many times. The thought of staying in a cottage sounded perfect.

“Tell me more about this island.”

FROM AN UPPER WINDOW, Taylor watched the duke arrive. No carriage, no valet, no formality. He traveled on the same ebony steed she’d seen him riding the first time they met.

He seemed taller. His hair longer, his chest broader, his face handsomer. Taylor could see Millie and Dermot standing beneath the window, waiting to greet His Grace. Bamberg handed his mount’s reins to a groom and strode toward the house.

He smiled at them, and Taylor clutched her chest and backed away. The chaotic entanglement of their first meeting was still fresh in her mind. His touch, their bodies dancing against each other. She wasn’t strong enough to meet him again. She couldn’t retain her outward indifference to him, and that would surely lead to disaster. Taylor didn’t want to wake up one morning and find herself married to someone who only wanted her money, and left alone in some cold, ruined castle in Bavaria.

Evasion. That was still the best response.

But why did he have to be so bloody perfect?

When Millie arrived an hour later, Taylor told her what she’d decided.

“Well, you can put that thought out of your head. You’re not leaving. I’ll not allow it. I could be delivering this baby any day now, and you promised you’d be here for me.”

“But your whole family is coming. Your sister Jo is a five-minute walk from here. Your husband is a doctor.”

“Stop whining. I refuse to accept any excuses. You’re my friend. Two days ago, you swore that you had come to the Abbey for me…but now…”

Guilt squeezed Taylor’s heart. Last year, when Millie had gone through the frightening operation to have a breast removed, Taylor didn’t hear about it until later. Since then, she’d tried to find some opportunity of helping her best friend. She wanted to be here when she was needed, whatever the circumstances.

She put an arm around Millie’s shoulder. “I saw you greeting the duke. Does he know I’m here?”

“He does. If you recall, the two of us decided that your best course of action was to meet him.”

It was true. She had to explain to him why he must withdraw. Millie had been coaching her for the past couple of days. It wasn’t that she was afraid of him. She was afraid of herself.

Still, Millie’s words echoed in her mind. Seeing him is the best way to ditch the duke.

Taylor had thought she could do it. That was until she saw him ride up and wedding bells began to ring in her ears.

“How long do you think he’ll be staying?” she asked tentatively.

“Probably as long as you’re staying, or until you reject him and send him away.”

Taylor walked off and looked at the ceiling as she paced. How could she possibly face the man and reject him? She couldn’t.

“I don’t know what to do. I’m torn. All those reasonable strategies we talked about suddenly seem frightening.”

“He is certainly not frightening.” Millie walked to the wall and absently straightened a picture. “He is…well, quite handsome. And charming. And considerate.”

“You had one brief introduction, and now you’re under his spell too.” Taylor threw her hands up.

“He has placed no spell on me. I’m only relaying my observations.”

Taylor shook her head and resumed her pacing. “The man may be impossible to resist in person. I’m afraid I shan’t be able to say no to him.”

Millie sat on a chair and watched her go from the window to the door and back again.

“Promise me that you’ll stay, and I’ll make the arrangements so you won’t have to see him.”

It took a few moments for Millie’s words to sink in. “How?”

“I’ll lie for you. I’ll make some excuse about an urgent letter arriving. I’ll tell him you needed to depart for Edinburgh.”

That would be another snub to the duke, but as much as she hated it, she didn’t know what else to do. “I’ll stay here in this room. I’ll hide until he’s gone.”

“Not here. I can hardly lie when everyone else knows you’re here. I have a reputation to protect.”

“Where should I go?”

“Do you recall the loch that is surrounded by forest just beyond Jo’s house? You and I walked there. It has that pretty island in the middle.”

The shimmering lake had been their morning destination several times the first week after Taylor arrived. Since then, she’d been walking the path by herself on almost a daily basis. Millie was uncomfortable going so far. “I remember. Why?”

“I didn’t take you to the island, but a quaint little cottage stands on the far side of it. Do you think you might be able to stay there until the duke is gone? It would only be for a day or two, I’m quite certain.”

“Is it livable?”

“Of course, it is. Dermot and I used to take a basket and have picnics out there before I grew this big. It’s a lovely place.” Millie struggled to her feet. “Why don’t you come with me, and I’ll have one of the grooms row you out to the island? Inspect it, take an inventory of what you need, and send the man back with instructions. I’ll send your maid after you with the supplies.”

“And you think this might work?”

“Absolutely. Trust me.”




CHAPTER 4




How to Ditch A Duke

– Step 4 –

Choose the Most Advantageous Time and Place to Let Him Down


THE SUMMER AIR was unnaturally still, and the waters of the loch lay like silvery glass beyond the ripples sliding outward from the boat. In the distance, the round-shouldered peaks of the Cairngorms wore a mantle of thickening grey clouds.

Taylor stared at the swirling pools formed by the oar blades and tried not to think of the ridiculousness of what she was doing. Never in her life had she been a coward. Never had she failed to rise to a challenge. She prided herself on her independence. On her willingness to stand up to the men in her family. Why she ran away from the duke was a mystery that plagued her.

She turned her attention to the island ahead. It was indeed pretty and small. She’d admired it from afar when she walked along the shoreline. At one end, a copse of pine trees bordered a grassy meadow. At the other end, the land rose high above the loch, covered by another grove of trees. The refuge was just distant enough from the shore to require a boat and a pair of strong arms to row to it.

As they approached, she was surprised to see another boat pulled up onto a beach of sand and stone. She turned to the wiry old groom who’d been tasked with bringing her out.

“Does anyone live on the island?”

“Nay, my lady.”

“Whose boat is that, then?”

The groom turned and squinted at the craft. “A few lads were out fixing a hole in the cottage roof last week, but they’re done with it. A maid out cleaning up, I’d wager. The isle has scant visitors. Family folk, mostly. Could be the Squire and the minister are out here.”