Page 126 of A Rogue in Firelight

“It is—very sudden.” She looked a little stunned.

Mairi stood and beckoned to the others. “Come. They need to talk alone.”

“Now or later, I can do a marriage any time,” Rabbie offered as he left. “But this one should happen quick if you want to outwit Mr. Corbie.”

“He is right,” Ronan murmured as Mairi shut the door. Ellison stood as he did. Her fingers began to twist, anxious and uncertain.

“You truly think Corbie is a threat?” she asked.

“Very much, if he arranged to abduct you for marriage.”

“Last night no one mentioned a wedding. But I heard them talk about setting a trap for someone. I knew they meant you.”

“We are both fine now, and we will stay that way, I promise. But if we do this now—it could keep you safe from anything else Corbie might plan.”

“It would infuriate him. He would turn on us with vengeance, and convince my father that you should be arrested or worse. He will find a way to hurt you.”

“If you do not want to do this, we will not.” He waited.

She looked away, breathed out. Finally she nodded. “We did promise to marry.” Fluttering her fingers together. “But I did want to talk to my father first.”

He reached for her hands to still them and calm her. “I may not be your father’s choice for you. But I have something to recommend me now—the title, the estate, a good income from that one day. But there are legal matters that need resolution.”

“He will also respect that you are an educated gentleman and a lawyer. But it does not matter what Papa wants.” She lifted her head. “It is my decision.”

“It is.” He still held her hands, glad she seemed content with that.

“He may never approve. But it is time he knew that I have the right to be independent. And time he knew what sort of man Adam Corbie really is. But—what if we did not marry now, what then?”

He sighed. “Your father might pressure you to marry Corbie.”

“I would refuse. I would,” she insisted, when he cocked a brow. “I have been coddled and far too meek. I have been trapped,” she said. “When I tried to be independent before, it was disastrous. That first marriage—” She sighed.

“Whatever you want to do, lass, you have my heart. You always will.”

She squeezed his hands. “Ronan, when I promised to marry you, I meant it. If I marry again, it must be for love. True love. Not infatuation or a wish to escape my life.”

He waited.

“I will,” she said. “Let us do this now.”

He cupped her cheek. “As you wish, Lady Darrach.”

“I havena donea wedding for a while,” Rabbie Muir began, “but a pastor never forgets the words that bind two souls together in happiness.”

Ellison glanced at the others gathered nearby as she and Ronan stood with Rabbie Muir in front of the hall’s large ancient fireplace. Ronan looked fine in his wrapped plaid, a jacket pulled over his rumpled shirt. Smoothing her gown, muddied and torn, she was grateful for the soft, clean plaid shawl that Mairi had draped over her shoulders.

“Good, then,” Rabbie began. “We have all we need—two hearts what love one another.” He looked up as Mairi came near. “And wee flowers,” he added, as she handed Ellison a small bouquet of flowers tucked together in a sweet tangle tied with ribbon.

Ellison sniffed the gently scented cluster of wild dog-roses, pink-purple heather, and sweetly aromatic bog myrtle, tucked together with purple thistle and strands of mountain laurel and tiny young pine branches.

“Pine and laurel for MacGregor and Graham,” Mairi whispered. “The rest is for love and luck.” She slipped back to join the others.

“Good. Now take her hands, John Ronan MacGregor, and take his, Ellison Sophia Graham. Then listen and agree.”

Rabbie cleared his throat and proceeded without a stumble, though he had not uttered the words for years. Ellison felt her heart soar as he spoke. She felt strength flow through her in Ronan’s hands over hers, in the love shining in his eyes, deep as the bluest loch. And she knew this simple, impromptu wedding was all she could ever want.

“I pronounce thee man and wife. And no man may put thee asunder.” Rabbie smiled. “We will write up a document for all to witness and sign.”