Page 113 of A Rogue in Firelight

“If you want Darrach and his friends safe, you will agree. Save all of them from hanging and let them be banished. Be the heroine in our story, my dear.”

She felt cold all over. Numb. She had known he could be vile, but not like this. “You could not harm them!”

“Not me. The law will do it. MacGregor’s actions will bring about his hanging and that of his friends. His lands will be lost. His family will be evicted. Marry me instead, and we will do what we can to lessen their sentences.”

“Stop,” she moaned, as tears stung her eyes. “You cannot mean this.”

“I only care about you. I only want to help you.” He released his fierce hold to take her hand. She froze as he raised it to kiss her knuckles through her glove.

“No,” she whispered. “Leave us alone. I will tell Papa what you have said.”

“I could not stop your first ill-fated marriage, but I can help you escape this one. We will be happy together, you and I. You will forget your infatuation when you see how proud your father will be. We will be content and elevated in life. You will be Lady Strathniven.”

She gasped, realizing that his hope of inheriting Strathniven rested on her. “Elevated?” She grasped the word. “Your aunt will learn the truth.”

“But will she believe it? Think of your father. He could be Lord Provost someday. And I might become Deputy Provost in his place.”

If she agreed to this, she knew Corbie would make sure Ronan suffered more than her father ever would. Corbie would ruin him utterly. Ronan’s life and their happiness together stood in the balance here and now.

But if she refused, if she relied on newfound strength and determination, she might only destroy what she loved most in the world.

She felt the fight drain out of her. “Let me think about it.”

Corbie pulled her to him, leaned to kiss her. She angled her head away and his lips smeared her cheek. “Make the right decision, Ellison.”

She could not betray Ronan’s love and trust in her. Yet that could save his life, and if it did—he could never learn the truth.

Corbie leaned to attempt another kiss, but she torqued away. “Later, you will be glad you did this,” he said, lips eager even as she avoided him.

“Stop! Let me think.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw a tall shadow stride across the terrace. An arm reached out swiftly out to shove Corbie aside.

“Leave her be,” Ronan snarled.

Corbie stumbled. “How dare you interrupt a private conversation?”

“Am I unwelcome?” Ronan demanded, turning to Ellison. She set a trembling hand to her chest above the lace at her bodice.

“Not at all,” she said breathlessly.

Taking her arm, Ronan turned to face Corbie. “The lady does not wish your company, sir.”

“We were discussing matters that are none of your concern.”

“Miss Graham?” Ronan asked.

Lifting her chin, she stood close to Ronan, relieved to feel his steadiness and calm, and the banked power he radiated. He was all she could ever dream of and all she could ever want. Yet she might have to distance herself, detach her heart from his, else Corbie would ruin him.

As she looked from one to the other, she felt a well of strength rise in her.Take the risk, a voice within seemed to say.

“The rumor of my betrothal to Lord Darrach,” she said, “is true.”

“My God, woman, you are a fool. You will regret this!”

Ronan bristled beside her, squared his shoulders. She saw the pulse in his jaw, the blue flash in his eyes. She set a hand on his sleeve.

“Miss Graham,” he said in a hard voice, “explain it to the gentleman.”