Page 141 of A Rogue in Firelight

“Ah.” Ronan turned away, sucking in a breath. Then he rounded back, hand clamped in a hard ball, reared back, and slammed Corbie’s jaw.

Thrown back, Corbie stumbled into Pitlinnie, who roared at Ronan. The regimental soldiers came running. Ronan opened his fist, balled it again, and hit Pitlinnie with bullish force, knocking both men down like dominoes on the marble floor.

He spun on his heel and walked away. Two soldiers veered after him, with Hugh and Sorcha in their wake along the length of the enormous hall.

Jameson stepped in his path. “Darrach!”

Ronan stopped mid-stride. “Sir,” he growled, still simmering. Let them arrest him. He hardly cared.

“I read your bride’s petition,” the justice said. “To be honest, I might have done the same to those bastards. Guards!” he called. “Leave this man to me. Take those two and hold them for Lord Beaton’s decision. It will come shortly.”

“My lord, thank you—but I do not understand.” Ronan shook his head in confusion, wondering why the girl’s petition for annulment made Jameson sympathetic to him.

“Take a walk. Cool your head. Then find her.”

“My lord,” Ronan said, and shoved through the doors into a light rain. Hugh and Sorcha hurried after him.

“Ronan! What in blazes was that?” Hugh asked.

“What they deserved.” He turned. “Miss Beaton, my apologies. Can we take you back to Lady Strathniven’s house?”

“I will wait for my brother. Lord Darrach, what you did was just magnificent!”

He flexed his aching hand and gave her a bitter smile. “It did not feel that way.”

“Are you coming back inside?”

“I have an important errand. Hugh, are you with me? I am off to Calton Jail. Miss Beaton, your brother will be looking for you soon.”

He cleft through the hordes filling the square and strode down the long slope of the High Street. He did not wait for Hugh, knowing he would keep up.

Here was herchance to explain, Ellison thought. Mustering courage, she straightened her posture and faced her father. She was sure that whatever Corbie had told him was slanted.

“Adam said,” growled her father, “that you married this fellow Darrach in a Highland ceremony. Unthinkable! But he explained the circumstances, and assured me that you wisely decided to correct your regrettable impulse. Adam’s offer to marry you stands, and he hopes you will agree. You are fortunate.” He glowered, but then shook his head. She felt his deep disappointment more than his anger with her.

“I am sorry Mr. Corbie told you first. It was not his place. I tried to find time at home, but you were too busy to listen. I wanted to tell you the whole of it. Corbie left out certain details.”

“Best forgotten, I am sure. But he said you were compromised, so at the least, I assume that Darrach recognized his obligation.”

“I was not compromised. I owe him my life.”My heart.“He is not what you think.”

“I am usually a good judge of character, and so I was surprised, I admit. MacGregor, er, Darrach, seemed a solid enough fellow once I met him. But you will make amends today, and we will discuss the matter later.”

“He is more of a gentleman than many others we know, Papa.”

“I did think today that he demonstrated a noble spirit and gentlemanly manners as well. Even so, his actions toward you were wrong and he should pay.”

“Papa—”

“Soon this unpleasant situation will be done and we can forget about the Highland spectacle—and the little spectacle of our own making.” He shook his head again.

“Papa, listen to me. I am not filing for annulment.”

“Corbie said you were submitting the papers. I suppose I am expected to witness them.”

“Listen. I submitted a complaint against Mr. Corbie and Pitlinnie.”

“Why would do that?” His gray eyebrows snapped together.