Page 108 of A Rogue in Firelight

“I was hoping we would all travel there together,” Sorcha said. “Oh, dear, it is getting late. We should all get some extra rest tonight. I am glad you are able to join us, Cousin Adam.”

“I have not yet decided,” he said, as Sorcha stood. “Good night, Cousin.”

“Mr. Corbie,” Ellison said when Sorcha left the parlor. “I promised to attend Mrs. Beaton’s cèilidh, and I plan to travel south with Lady Strathniven and Sorcha. Lord Darrach can travel with us. I am sorry if you have other plans.”

“Miss Ellison, your father is displeased that my aunt left you unchaperoned.”

She lifted her chin. “Sorcha is my companion here, since Lady Strathniven was called away to help her sister.”

“Sorcha’s mother is healthy enough to host a country dance, apparently. I am disappointed in my lady aunt for leaving you here.” He looked pointedly at Ronan.

Though she could not see Ronan’s reaction, she felt his ominous silence.

“Miss Ellison, you may not care that your father’s reputation rises or falls on the behavior of his family at this crucial time. We will discuss that later, you and I—and MacGregor too,” he added.

“You mean Lord Darrach,” she corrected.

“I know Sir Evan MacGregor requested that the inheritance go to his cousin. It came to our office for review. The law of succession is not a clear path in this case. We disagree with the decision to grant the title and estate to MacGregor.”

“‘We?’” Ellison repeated. “Presumptuous, sir.”

“I only share your father’s opinion as his secretary.”

“Yet you and Papa are willing to present him as Darrach to the king.”

Corbie’s nostrils flared. He stood. “That is different. A temporary necessity.”

“For whom?” she asked.

“We all know the answer to that.” Ronan spoke at last, his voice reverberating low. “The decision about the title is fortunate, Mr. Corbie. It eliminates a certain risk.”

“We are not prepared to accept the decision as final.”

“Usually, intestate succession in Scots law,” Ronan said, “results in the granting of goods equally among spouse, children, siblings and other kin if agreed by all parties. It has been a stable factor in Scots law. The difficulty comes when there are few relatives. My cousin, the previous Lord Darrach, had no clear inheritors other than myself. As his first cousin and nearest male relative, the title, land, and goods can legally come to me.”

“Except that the nearest male relative is a criminal.”

“That is not a factor under the law, sir. I have not been convicted, and have been pardoned—as you well know.”

“Conditional.”

“And innocent of charges unless proven otherwise. What is most unusual here, as you may be aware, is that a peerage title hangs in the balance as well as an estate. Therefore, the court deferred to the clan chief, which is their prerogative and his right. Sir Evan recommended in my favor. And that is that. You and Sir Hector cannot hold sway, as you have no legal claim or authority in the matter.”

Corbie gave a scoffing laugh. “Where did all that legal parlance come from? Pretending to be a lawyer as well as a peer?”

“I am a lawyer,” Ronan said calmly. Corbie stared.

“Sorry, did no one mention?” Ellison smiled, cool and quick. “He read for the law and is a very fine lawyer who practices in Perth and Edinburgh.” The smug satisfaction she felt seemed almost evil.

“That cannot be! He is a small laird, a smuggling thief, and an imposter.”

“I am an advocate for the defense, as it happens,” Ronan said.

“Outrageous,” Corbie sputtered. “You should have said so.”

“You never asked,” he drawled.

“If you advocate for criminals, how did you end up in a dungeon?”