Page 123 of A Rogue in Firelight

“Ellison, does your family know you and Ronan are betrothed now?” Mairi smiled. “I am so glad to hear it. Thank you for telling us—though you wanted to keep it a secret. But you know we will not tell.”

“I have not told them yet, though they could have heard a rumor at the dance last night,” Ellison answered. “My father will not be happy with me, but I will talk to him.”

“Sir Hector would surely think Ronan a fine choice for his daughter,” Sir Ludo said. “You have a proud ancestral line that includes the MacGregor chiefs as well as the old line of the earls of—”

“I will talk with Sir Hector,” Ronan said quickly, holding up a hand to stop Ludo from saying more about the original earls of Strathniven. He had not yet told Ellison that years ago the land had been forfeited and granted to Lady Strathniven’s husband.

“A daughter’s happiness should bring a father great pleasure.” Mairi smiled at her father. “One day I hope to be as happy.”

“I am sure you will be, dear,” Ludo said.

“Well.” She tilted her head. “Now is as good a time as any. I have something to tell all of you.”

Ronan grew still, dreading any news of Pitlinnie. It was hardly the time.

“I had a letter,” Mairi said, “from Lord Linhope, from Calton Jail.”

“Linhope!” Surprised, he sat forward. “I did not expect that. How is he? And MacInnes? Are they well?”

“Somehow he got a letter out, and said that he and MacInnes are well enough. They did not know where you were taken, and they have been worried about you. When he found a way to send a letter, he wrote to me on the chance I might know something about your fate.”

“I have been just as worried about them. But I heard he is able to act as a physician there, which is promising. Did he say anything else?”

“He said their accommodations have improved because of his work there. But there is something else.” Mairi looked around at them. “He said he hopes for my favorable answer.”

Stunned, remembering what she had told him the last time he was there, Ronan suddenly realized what she meant. He leaned forward. “Mairi—is it Linhope?”

“It is.” She smiled. “Who did you think?”

He only smiled. “Well done, my dear. But your father and your son must approve before I say aught.” Greatly relieved, he was still concerned about the fate of Linhope and MacInnes. He had yet to find a way to gain their release, if it was even possible.

If he could not save them, Mairi would be heartbroken once more, and he could not live with that. He sat silent while the others congratulated her.

“Lord Linhope is a fine man,” Ludo pronounced.

Donal beamed. “Truly, Mama? Linhope is an excellent fellow!”

“Did you answer him?” Ronan asked. Beside him, he saw Ellison looking from one to the other, silent, eyes shining.

“I would tell him aye, a thousand times aye, if I could only see him. I wrote my reply, but have not posted it yet. I fear it will be lost and he would never see it.”

“Give it to me. I will take it to him when I go to Edinburgh.”

“Oh, Ronan, thank you. And I am so happy that all of you are pleased!”

Ronan smiled and reached over to take Mairi’s hand. He knew for certain now that his wounded heart had healed and was coming to life again. He had found love and so had Mairi. He could ask for nothing better than that.

“Linhope,” he repeated. “I feared you were considering Pitlinnie’s proposal.”

“Pitlinnie!” Mairi looked horrified.

“We all thought so, Mairi Brodie.” Rabbie Muir had come in late to the discussion, having been sitting with his grandson Geordie, recovering upstairs. He was finishing his breakfast, and sat back. “That Pitlinnie made no secret of courting you for marriage. We feared you might fall for him.”

“An amadan sin!That fool!” Mairi gave a bitter laugh. “I always thought he had something to do with Will’s death, and the troubles that came to Ronan and Linhope and MacInnes too. So I let him visit in case I could learn something about it.”

“Brave and kind,” Ronan said. “And I beg your pardon for thinking you gave a moment of thought to Pitlinnie. I am more than proud to welcome Linhope to the family. And we will welcome Ellison too, if she will have us just as we are.”

“I will,” Ellison said, her impish smile glowing. Ronan took her hand.