Phoebe leaned back in the chair at her secretary and opened the note from Kiernan, his second missive in as many days.
Phoebe,
I left word to have this small wedding gift forwarded to you if it arrived while I was away. There will be many more gifts forthcoming—Elise looks for every excuse to give gifts. She tells me she plans to spend time with you while my father and I are away—again, I apologize, but our business in Suffolk simply can't wait. I hope this book gives you something to do until my return.
Kiernan
She reread the line: I hope this book gives you something to do until my return. In other words, if you're busy reading, you'll stay out of trouble. Confound the man's arrogance. He'd seen her in a bookstore and decided he could manipulate her with a book. Phoebe pulled the large package from the desk and unwrapped the paper to reveal three leather-bound books inside a leather-trimmed box. She drew a sharp breath at sight of the author and title: Frankenstein, Mary Shelley. Carefully, she pulled volume one from the box and turned to the title page.
London
Printed for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones Finsbury Square 1818
She brushed her fingers over the date, 1818. An early edition. She'd underestimated Kiernan MacGregor. He knew exactly what he was doing—and could all-too-easily succeed in distracting her. If that distraction didn't work, he'd arranged for Elise to spend time with her while he was gone. This explained the duchess' appearance on her doorstep yesterday, less than an hour after Phoebe sent word that she would leave for Scotland the next day. She hadn't been surprised when the duchess protested in favor of waiting for the men to return. Phoebe’s assurance that she would go alone brought a knowing smile to Elise’s face, and she said, “Actually, it’s a fine idea. After all, they will likely catch up with us on the road.”
Phoebe gently inserted the book back into the box. She hoped the men would be gone long enough for her and the duchess to reach Scotland…and for Phoebe to catch her breath. Two days had passed since the interlude with Kiernan and she couldn't seem to regain her equilibrium. It seems the duchess had been correct. God help her, Kiernan MacGregor was, indeed, an experienced lover. A tender lover, damn his soul, and Phoebe had only tasted of his talents. She shivered as she had a hundred times since that night, the feel of his rigid staff between her fingers still so real…the memory of his tongue inside her—Molly appeared in the open doorway of Phoebe’s bedchamber.
“The duchess’ coach has arrived, Miss.”
“Thank you, Molly. This trunk is ready. Please inform Gaylon.”
"Are you all right?" the maid asked.
She smiled. "Distracted. I'm fine."
Molly left and Phoebe gathered her reticule, the two books she had purchased, and her cloak, then made her way to the parlor where the duchess and her aunt waited.
Elise smiled. “I hope I'm not too early.”
“Not at all. Gaylon should have my trunks loaded right away.” She sat on the sofa beside her aunt.
“Phoebe,” Lady Albery said, “are you sure you won’t change your mind and wait until Lord Ashlund returns?”
“We've discussed this, Aunt. My uncle has afforded four men as escort in addition to Calders. Plus, we have the duchess' entourage. We're quite safe.”
“You really should take Molly with you,” Lady Albery continued.
“No thank you. As I said, I'm not accustomed to traveling with a maid, so I won't miss her.”
“Don’t worry,” the duchess said, “I have Sue. She can deal very nicely with the both of us.”
Lady Albery tsked, but Phoebe only nodded and wondered how much time she'd have in Scotland before her nemesis caught up with her.
Three quarters of an hour later, they drove through the gate, leaving her aunt waving a woeful handkerchief.
“Are you and your aunt close?” Elise asked.
“No,” Phoebe replied. “Though, the way she has acted these last few days, one would think she was losing a daughter.”
“Yes, one would.” Elise smiled. “So, we're off. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have you visit Ashlund. We're going to have a wonderful time.”
“Where exactly is Ashlund?”
“Two hours north of Edinburgh.”
“Not in the Highlands then?” Phoebe asked.
Elise shook her head. “No. It's another two hour ride before you enter the southernmost part of the Highlands. Tell me, did you like Brahan Seer?”
“I did. The castle is beautiful and Loch Katrine is spectacular.”
“Yes,” Elise smiled, “it is magnificent. Marcus and I spend a great deal of time there. Though, with the education of the twins, we don't stay as long as we used to.” She sighed. “I would prefer they received their education there, but my husband insists they receive a formal education in Edinburgh.”
“Is that where Lord Ashlund studied?” Phoebe asked.
“No, he studied at Oxford, which is why Ethan is to study at the university in Edinburgh.”