Page 143 of A Rogue in Firelight

“What do you mean, sir?”

“Confidence. I saw you stand up for what you believe in.” He smiled ruefully. “I thought discipline might make you stronger and happier. Perhaps that was not the best course. It is not criticism that improves, I think, but love. You have shown me that, my dear. It is a hard lesson, I vow.”

“Oh!” Ellison said through tears.

“Sometimes you are more the image of your mother than your sisters. You have her heart and her imagination. You and Darrach will do well together.”

“Thank you, Papa.” She blinked away tears.

“We will talk further this.” He looked around. “I do not see him here.”

She whirled about. “I thought he would wait.”

“Something must have come up. I will tell my driver to take you home in my carriage. I have some work to do, and I must have dinner with the organizing committee. I will see you tomorrow.” He kissed her cheek.

*

“The king, asmuggler? I wish I had been there!” Linhope said.

“Wish we were all there, and out of here,” MacInnes said. “By God, it is good to see you, Ronan, and Cameron too.”

“Darrach,” Linhope reminded him, for Ronan had told them about the inheritance.

“Time we are done with the past, lads,” Ronan said. “I do not regret our efforts to finish the work my brother and cousin began. But we are fortunate that a solution has appeared.”

Cameron leaned a shoulder against the wall, arms folded. “Lord Darrach here discovered the remedy for this situation. We all owe him our thanks.”

“If this warrant for liberation holds, we will be released soon, aye?” MacInnes asked.

“It should hold,” Ronan said.

“And then?” Linhope asked.

“My advice to all of you is to behave,” Cameron said.

“I plan on it.” Iain scratched at his beard. “We need a barber and a tailor before we leave here.”

“I will send a barber in tomorrow,” Ronan said. “And a tailor too. We have no guarantee from the court as yet, you do understand that. But you should be ready to walk out of here with your heads high. If for some reason this petition is refused, I will find another way. I will not give up.”

“Everyone needs a lawyer like you,” MacInnes said, and laughed.

“You have both been of service here in Calton,” Hugh said. “That will count as well.”

“So, we need be Highland heathens no longer?” MacInnes asked.

“No more. Well, MacInnes may always be a roughshod Highlander,” Ronan teased.

“I prefer it. And hardly feel like a gentleman now.” He scratched his overgrown beard.

“One hundred and three days? You are certain?” Linhope asked.

“By all counts, aye.” Hugh said. “Steps in setting up charges and a trial were missed.”

“You may want to thank the king for that—the chaos of his visit may have interfered with procedures,” Ronan said.

“If you have freedom,” Hugh cautioned, “you are done with the free trade.”

Ronan laughed. “The laws will change soon, and smuggling will not be as profitable for anyone.”