which means the two of them are not as close as they once were.”
Alec wasn’t as close as he had once been to Benjamin Westfield, either. “What about this harmony thing Cait keeps going on about?”
“You’d have to ask her. I know their powers are stronger and more predictable when the five of them are getting along with each other than when they’re not.”
This generation of witches did seem stronger than the previous one, now that Alec thought about it. “Sorcha’s and Cait’s mothers were not fond of each other.”
“That’s certainly a euphemism.” Eynsford nodded as though he was well aware of the fact. “From what I’ve been told, Fiona Macleod made a habit of overstepping her bounds and manipulating the others with faux visions. When Bonnie Ferguson learned the truth about Fiona’s deception, the two had a falling-out.”
Fiona Macleod had manipulated the others with untrue visions? What a horrible thing to do to one’s coven sisters.
Alec had never heard that, and he gaped at the Lycan.
Eynsford took pity on him and explained, “Mrs. Macleod was an enterprising lass. She managed to keep Elspeth away from her father and was responsible for Lord Kettering’s imprisonment. Apparently, she wanted to keep the coven pure of such mangy creatures as Lycans and vampyres.”
But Bonnie Ferguson apparently had felt differently, just like her cheerful and inviting daughter. Alec glanced down at the sleeping witch curled up beside him. Hopefully, Seamus Ferguson was more in line with his late wife’s way of thinking. He couldn’t lose Sorcha.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, Alec caught Eynsford’s eye once more. “I wouldn’t really call vampyres mangy. Lycans, on the other hand…” He let his voice trail off and shrugged. Then he chuckled at Eynsford’s feigned scowl.
At least Alec assumed it was feigned; there was no fury in the man’s eyes.
Once the four of them reached Edinburgh, Alec didn’t imagine he’d ever seek Eynsford out of his own accord. But should they end up in the same parlor or ballroom, the two of them might be able to behave as gentlemen. Maybe.
~*~
The motion Sorcha had become so accustomed to came to a stop, and she fluttered open her eyes. Beside her, Alec smiled the roguish smile she had quickly come to love.
“Where are we?” she asked and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
“We are in Scotland, lass.” He tucked a curl behind her ear.
“Home?” she asked, unable to keep the smile from her voice. They’d made excellent time. She had thought they were still a few days away. But all the days on the road did tend to blend together after a while.
Alec shook his head. “Not home precisely, not yet anyway. We are finally off those Sassenach roads as we’ve just crossed the border into Gretna. And Eynsford promised Cait we’d stop for the night.”
Gretna! What were the odds that Sorcha could talk Alec into an anvil wedding? It would certainly keep the Marquess of Eynsford’s snout out of their affairs for the rest of the journey. And she could finally have Alec all to herself.
“Alec,” she tugged his jacket and brought his face closer to hers, “we could have a blacksmith marry us here. Today. Right now.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “And have your father drive a stake in my heart once we reach Edinburgh? I’d rather not face his wrath, if you don’t mind.”
Sorcha giggled. Papa did not have a wrath to be feared.
He was the most kind and generous man in all of Scotland.
“He willna mind. I promise. Besides, ye dinna hear Mr. Crawford at Blaire’s weddin’. He was adamant about no’ performin’ any more irregular ceremonies. And I doona want ta wait another three weeks for the banns.”
This time Alec gently touched his lips to hers. “Crawford can be dealt with. And though you may not think your father would mind, I have to disagree with you, Sorch. You’re his only daughter and the light of his life. He will want to be present at your wedding, and I cannot take that away from him.”
Alec was right. She knew he was. Papa would be hurt if she married without him there to walk her down the aisle.
But… Wait! Alec couldn’t wait for her at the altar. Alec couldn’t step foot inside the church. Why hadn’t she thought of that before now?
“What is it, lass?” Alec tugged her from the darkened coach into the waning daylight as though to see her better.
“Your heart is pounding. Is something wrong?”
Everything was wrong,