Taffy was a nobody in the eyes of the law. No matter how unfair, a cruel judge might sentence her to prison. “Aye, there will be consequences if anyone ever finds out she was the one who killed him. But none if I killed him. This is the story I will give. He tried to kill my son. Taffy did her best to fight him off, giving Rafe the chance to escape and find me. I ran up to find Gordon struggling with the girl. I shot him. I will say this under oath, if I must. I dinna care if that lie condemns me in the afterlife. I will not have her life ruined for protecting my son.”
He stared solemnly at Mr. Barrow and Mick. “If pressed for statements, all ye need say is that ye dinna see how it happened, but I had the pistol in my hand and Gordon lay dead. I doubt there’ll be further inquiry. The magistrate is already aware of the attempts on Rafe’s and my life. I’ll deal with the Earl of Moray if he dares to make a fuss. I doubt he will. It would only bring shame upon the Moray clan to know one of their own was trying to kill a little boy.”
He dismissed the Bow Street men and was showing them to the door when Mr. Barrow paused a moment. “M’lord, this situation with Miss Ralston.” He motioned to the bed. “She’s a good girl.”
“I know.” He smiled wryly. “I’ll be obtaining the special license first thing in the morning and marrying her as soon as I can drag a minister back here. She’ll be Lady Falkirk by tomorrow evening, if I have any say in the matter.” He glanced at the bed again. “I’ll not be disturbing her, obviously. My son has already claimed her for tonight.”
“Thank you, m’lord.” Mr. Barrow nodded his approval. “This relieves me greatly. She’s a remarkable girl and deserves the best.”
A thought came into Gavin’s head. “Assuming Taffy…er, Miss Ralston consents, what would ye say to doing a little investigating on our behalf? Do ye think it’s possible to find out the identity of her parents after all these years?”
“Very slim,” Mr. Barrow said. “But if anyone can do it, it would be me. In truth, I’ve been curious about her myself. She’s quality. No mistaking it. Best runner me and Mick ever saw. I’ll be sorry to lose her, but it couldn’t be to a finer man than you, m’lord.”
“Thank ye, Mr. Barrow.” Although probably unnecessary now, Gavin bolted the door after the two runners had left. He was exhausted, but sleep eluded him.
He tossed another log onto the fire, keeping the fire blazing since Taffy would need the heat to warm her after her loss of blood. Then he set up his pallet in the sitting area, but did not stretch out on it yet. Instead, he poured himself a glass of port from one of the bottles the Duke of Devon had stocked for his comfort.
With glass of port in hand, he drew up a chair beside Taffy. He needed to look at this beautiful girl a little while longer.
She opened her eyes as he sat. “I heard all of it. Do you think the authorities would imprison me for defending my life?”
“With the wrong judge, yes. I will no’ have ye put through any of it, lass. Do ye mind if I lie about this? I canno’ let anyone hurt ye. But I give ye my oath, as between ye and me, I shall never lie to ye.”
She cast him a fuzzy smile. “Nor will I ever lie to you. Are you serious about marrying me tomorrow?”
“Aye.”
“I’ll be an ugly bride.”
“Ye’ll be the most beautiful bride that ever existed. I’m going to kiss ye now and then I’ll turn in. Do ye need me to move Rafe over? He’s got his body crushed up against yours.”
“No, I don’t mind. He’s a little bundle of heat. I could do with the warmth.”
Gavin nodded and then kissed her gently on the lips. “I love ye, lass.”
Her eyes turned misty. “Thank you for loving me. It is quite splendid of you. And your kiss was brilliantly executed.”
“It was? Well then, I think ye must award me a hundred points.”
“Done, my lord.”
“Sweet dreams, love.” He cast her a wicked smile. “Dream of me naked.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Six months later
Inverness, Scotland
TAFFY HELD RAFE’S hand as they walked along winding hill path overlooking the water’s edge. It