Moira saw Ross standing in his white night rail, the left arm of his shirt covered in blood. His other arm held a long musket. He lifted the musket to his shoulder and aimed it at the coach.

Instantly, Robert scooped Moira from her seat and held her in his lap, curving his body over hers. A huge boom rang off the castle walls and echoed in the courtyard.

The coach turned a corner, and it was dark, except for the moonlight and the lanterns that hung from the coach front.

Moira said, “I think the danger is over now. You can release me.”

Robert laughed softly, his breath warm against her ear. “There was never any danger. That man couldn’t hit the side of a barn.”

“So why are you holding me?” The scent of his starched cravat tickled her nose.

“Ross’s parting shot was wonderfully dramatic, wasn’t it?”

She snuggled deeply against Robert. “You shot him, didn’t you?”

“We had a duel. Unfortunately, he lacked the honor to wait for the ten paces.”

“He shot early?”

“Yes, but his bullet hit the wall beside my left ear.”

“That blackguard!”

“Exactly. Then it was my turn. Because I knew it would please you, I didn’t kill him. Instead, I gave him the chance to select which limb he wanted my bullet in.”

Moira had to smile. “That was very good of you. Astoundingly so, considering he tried to trick you with a false artifact, too.”

“I thought so.”

She suspected that Robert wasn’t completely honest about how close of a call he’d just faced. “You took a foolish risk for nothing. If my honor was impugned, it was my job to satisfy it, not yours.”

“As long as our marriage stands, I will protect you.”

As long as our marriage stands. That implied it was temporary, which made her chest ache, as if her heart were struggling to beat. Don’t be ridiculous. As soon as Rowena is free, Robert will ask for an annulment and I will see that he gets it. Still, her eyes stung, and she had to blink back tears.

Robert reached into his cloak and withdrew a velvet bag, which he placed on her knee.

She opened it, her fingers trembling. “The onyx box.”

“The real one. I found it, along with the fake, in Ross’s secret chamber.”

“How on earth did you find it?”

“Buffon charmed the location from a besotted chambermaid. Now we are ready to take on Aniston.”

Moira looked down at the box. Was Robert right? After all these months, would she finally win Rowena back?

Unaware of how her heart was racing, Robert added, “It will take us a week to get back to Edinburgh, then Rowena will be free and you and I can—”

Moira threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Surprised, he kissed her back with equal enthusiasm.

A soft thud broke them apart.

“What was that?” Robert asked, voice husky.

“The onyx box fell. Perhaps we should put it somewhere safe?”