Page 107 of A Rogue in Firelight

He took her hand, then Ellison’s, and circled with them, not quite sharing their elation but willing enough. Soon he could not help but chuckle. He had never in his life done something like this—the spontaneous joy of lightsome girls and an impish dog were new elements to him, a remedy of sorts.

Ellison stumbled over the little terrier underfoot and Ronan caught her swiftly, setting an arm about her for balance. She looped her arms around his neck and urged him to swirl around, while Sorcha picked up the dog and danced with it.

On the last turnabout, Ronan saw a figure in the doorway. He stopped.

Ellison slid out of his arms and stepped back. “Mr. Corbie!”

Heart thumping fromdancing, laughter, and moments of freedom, Ellison went still and silent. Beside her, Ronan seemed to freeze as he faced the newcomer. At her feet, Balor tensed and began to bark in irritation.

“Cousin Adam!” Sorcha ran to Corbie, taking his arm to bring him into the parlor. “We have been waiting for you!” Patting his hand, she smiled at the others. “Here is Ellison. And I think you know Lord Darrach?”

“Miss Ellison. Mr. MacGregor,” Corbie said stiffly. Still barking, Balor trotted toward him to stare up, tense and quivering. Ellison hurried forward to pull him away by his collar.

“Balor, here,” she said. “Mr. Corbie, welcome.”

“Thank you.” Corbie said.

Ellison held Balor now, scruffing her fingers on his head as she stood beside Ronan, who briefly touched her elbow in discreet reassurance.

“Mr. Corbie,” he said.

Corbie looked sour, tired, and tight-lipped. Rather than feeling angry or resentful, Ellison felt sorry for him. Had he arrived earlier, he would have killed any impulse for merriment. Her heart sank as she hoped her newfound happiness had not abruptly ended with his footstep on the carpet.

“Please have a seat,” she said. “I hope you had a pleasant journey.”

“Not particularly.” Corbie sat beside Sorcha on the narrow sofa, while Ellison took a wing chair, holding the dog. Ronan stood beside her, silent. “Your man MacNie kept me waiting while he finished a pint in the tavern—expecting me to wait for a servant! And just what is going on here?” He looked sternly from one to the other. “My lady aunt is not here at present. Cat’s away, mice will play, is that it?”

“Certainly not,” Ellison said.

“We were practicing dance steps,” Sorcha said. “You came just in time!”

“I have been in a coach for hours on rough roads. I am not in a mood for dancing.”

“I meant you are here just in time to join us tomorrow for a cèilidh at Duncraig,” Sorcha said. Even she sounded subdued now.

“I heard. My aunt wrote to invite Sir Hector and me as well. He is much too busy to come north, but sent me, as other matters require attention.” He lifted a brow to look at Ellison, then Ronan. But there his glance skittered away, as if he could not meet Ronan’s steady, searing gaze. “We must discuss why I came up here, and what has been going on at Strathniven.”

“Going on, Cousin?” Sorcha looked bewildered. “We are enjoying the summer and looking forward to the royal visit, so we have been practicing for introductions, if we are fortunate enough to be introduced.”

“Ah,” Corbie said.

“And looking forward to the dance tomorrow,” Sorcha added.

“I hope it proves as simple as you imagine, Cousin Sorcha. Just for now I need some rest. Did I miss supper? No one mentioned.”

He had given her no chance as yet, Ellison thought. “We had a light supper earlier, but Mrs. Barrow can prepare a tray for you. I will ask her to send it upstairs. You will be in your usual room.”

“Good. It has been a long day. Traveling north took longer due to the unusual traffic on the roads. Crowds at every stop, and the roads full of carriages. We will need to return very soon, Miss Ellison. Plan for a long journey due to the number of travelers heading to Edinburgh.”

“Very soon?” Ellison asked.

“Your father expects you home as soon as possible.”

“I—I thought there was more time,” she blurted. Beside her, she saw Ronan rest an arm on the high back of her chair, a simple gesture that made her relax. “What of Lord Darrach?” she asked.

“Expected as well. We will arrange a separate escort.”

“No need. I will find my way there,” Ronan said flatly.