Page 130 of A Rogue in Firelight

“Not yet, but I will. I want to give you a chance to rectify the situation first.”

“It cannot be rectified.” Squaring her shoulders, she had to take the risk. The truth might save her, and save Ronan. “We are married now.”

“What in blazes! Married? I just saw you. When were you married?”

“Yesterday morning.” She drew a breath. “I met Darrach at the ancient tower near Loch Brae. You know the place.” She gave him a cold stare.

He went pale, small dark eyes narrowing. “What tower?”

“You know where it is. Darrach found me there. We met with his family and old Mr. Muir. Did you know he was once a pastor? No?” She paused, watched him swallow hard. “Mr. Muir offered to marry us, and a quiet, quick ceremony seemed just perfect at the time.”

“Impossible. This cannot be!” He stepped back as if stunned, shaking his head, pulling at his neckcloth as if it choked him. Warily, she moved back a step.

“It is true.”

“I feared that rascal would undo our good work,” he said in a low, threatening voice. “But this is far worse.”

“It seemed a better solution than your suggestion at the cèilidh.”

“You little fool—this man has manipulated you to his advantage. But if he is caught smuggling again, this time he will hang, and so will his friends.”

“He is not smuggling.”

“Trust that I can find the evidence.”

“You cannot be trusted for much, Mr. Corbie.” A strong feeling warned her to say nothing about his scheme to force her into marriage.

“We cannot risk introducing him to the king,” he went on. “He will likely be arrested as soon as he arrives in Edinburgh.”

“He did all you asked and more.”

“Oh, much more,” he said in a cruel tone. “Betrothal is one thing. Marriage quite another. Once again you have made a poor choice. This puts your father in an untenable position. The scandal could undo him.”

“Do not be so dramatic, Mr. Corbie. I married a viscount and a clan chieftain, the cousin of the clan chief who will lead the procession in the city. Papa will be proud.”

“I told you,” Corbie said, “MacGregor intends to transport whisky by sea, so my sources claim. Moving it by sea can be considered smuggling. The excise officers will be interested in that.”

Even now, Ronan might be coming into Leith harbor. “You would not do that.”

“I would. Since I had word of it, I am obligated to report it to Sir Hector, since he serves as chief of the constabulary.”

“You are despicable, Adam Corbie.” She took a step backward. Another.

“But I have a solution. Here is what we will do.” He moved toward her, grabbed her wrist. “Listen to me.”

“I listened before. It did not go well. Let me go.”

“Sir Hector, and my aunt too, will have to hear the truth. But you and I can fix this before they are shocked and disappointed in you.”

“The truth, sir, is that I am married, and you do not like it. But it is done.”

“And can be undone. You must apply for an annulment immediately. Your father will need to know so he can press to have it reversed with urgency.”

“No.” She pulled away, and he pulled her back.

“You will save your father’s future.”

“His future is not threatened. You invented that for your own interests.”