“An excellent idea.” He retrieved the box and put it under the seat across from them, then he settled Moira back in his lap. “We should talk about what will happen after we rescue—”

She placed a hand on his cheek and smiled. “Hurst, has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”

And all of his words fled, chased away by a redheaded vixen with eyes the color of a Scottish glen.

CHAPTER 22

A letter from Lady Caitlyn Hurst MacLean to her sister Triona Hurst MacLean.

You would think, since we wed brothers, that we would not be forced into secret stratagems to spend some time together, but thus it is. Pray inform Hugh that the Earl of Tunbridge has been forced to sell all of his horses because the new Countess Tunbridge has decided he spends too much time in the stables. Hugh has always coveted Tunbridge’s gray matched set, and he will instantly wish to go to Edinburgh for the sale.

Meanwhile, I shall inform Alexander that the countess is also selling many of the furnishings in their various houses, because they once belonged to her mother-in-law. Alexander cannot refuse a good estate sale.

By the way, when we get to town, the Countess Tunbridge wishes us to go to tea with her. You’ll like her very much; she is ever so charming.

It took a week and a day to reach Edinburgh. The closer they got, the more anxious Moira became. Robert did what he could to while away the time—he told stories, played cards, made up silly games, shared court gossip that made her chuckle. But mostly he drew Moira into telling him stories about her life with Rowena.

He learned a lot, seeing Moira in a new light. It astounded him that a woman who could trick the entire polite world into thinking her a Russian princess had the gentleness of spirit to be a devoted mother. But her love for Rowena showed in every sentence as she told of the dolls and flower chains, the colds and bruises, and the laughter and sadness of a normal childhood. Moira obviously loved her cottage in the country, and Robert wondered if Hurst House was the right sort of place for a child. Or for Moira.

He no longer wondered if he wished them in his life—the events of the last three weeks had erased those doubts. Others now tumbled through his mind. Would Moira want to be a part of his life? Would Rowena accept him? He had no idea how to be a good father or husband. What if he couldn’t do it well enough? Would they all be miserable?

There was only one area he was sure about, and he held Moira close every night while she slept. And most mornings he awakened her with a kiss that didn’t stop there.

As they drew closer to Edinburgh, Moira fought her own fears. She no longer worried that Robert might whisk Rowena away. He would never take a child from her mother; she knew that now. But would he wish to be part of Rowena’s life after they had her safe? Did she want him to be part of Rowena’s life?