I had expected Mr. Kemp would have to make a number of arrangements for our journey to God knew where, but instead, he insisted we leave virtually immediately.
“But, Mr. Kemp,” I protested, for I was unused to such hurried departures. “Why the rush?”
“Because, my dear, the second that your beloved cousin informs Lady Elspeth what you said, I suspect Her Ladyship will race here hot-foot.”
I nodded. Aunt Elspeth could indeed be an impetuous woman when she was not being infuriatingly efficient. I looked to the door, half expecting her to burst it open and thrust inside, brandishing her parasol and a certificate of marriage. “My goodness, Mr. Kemp, let us be off indeed.”
It was only when we had travelled a good quarter mile from the loch, in a direction opposite to Edinburgh, that I though
