Page 58 of A Rogue in Firelight

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive,MacGregor had quoted Scott. A tangle indeed.

“Darrach is with us until we all go to Edinburgh for the king’s arrival,” the viscountess said. “He is quite an eligible bachelor—title and lands, and very handsome. I imagine many young ladies will want to be introduced to him.”

The tangled web just became more snarled. “My lady,” Ellison said quickly, “your carriage is ready.”

“When Jeanie comes down, we will leave. I had hoped to introduce Darrach.”

“I can do that,” Ellison said.

“Perhaps Mama will invite Lord Darrach to supper at Duncraig,” Sorcha said.

“A splendid idea! I will mention it to her. Ellison, what an excellent thought!”

“Excellent,” she replied. Tutoring the man to prepare him for a royal interview was one thing, but introducing him as Lord Darrach at a local party was quite another, and risky. If he was exposed, the consequences could bring down her father as well.

“Mama needs a distraction. A new bachelor in the area is a good reason to host a country dance,” Sorcha said. “We could have fiddlers and dancing and supper. Our friends here are eager for news and a little society before people travel to Edinburgh in time for the king’s arrival. It would be perfect!”

“Perhaps that is better done in the city,” Ellison suggested.

“Lord Darrach might enjoy a chance to practice his... dancing,” Lady Strathniven said, looking hard at her.

“Think of everyone eager to meet him and dance with him.” Sorcha giggled.

“Perhaps,” Ellison said. Dread ran through her like ice.

“Here is MacNie—oh, and Darrach too!” Lady Strathniven turned as the front door opened and the men stepped into the foyer. Sunlight flooded in with them.

“My lady.” Ronan MacGregor raised a brow, seeing the women gathered. His gaze touched Ellison. “Miss Graham. And—?” He inclined his head with a polite smile.

“Lord Darrach, this is my niece, Miss Sorcha Beaton, just arrived from Duncraig.”

“Ah, Miss Beaton. A pleasure to meet you.” He held out his gloved hand.

Sorcha bowed her head a little and took his large hand, beaming. “Thank you, my lord. I have heard so much about you.”

“Have you?” he asked pleasantly.

“Not much, sir,” Ellison said. “Just that you are a guest here.”

“Ah, and grateful for the hospitality of friends,” he said.

“We were just saying, my lord, that you might enjoy visiting Duncraig,” Sorcha said. “My mother is there, and my brother, Lord Justice Beaton, will come up from Edinburgh for this. He is fond of Glenbrae whisky, which I understand is yours?”

“It is,” he murmured. “So Justice Beaton is your brother?”

“Yes, do you know him? He was a lawyer and is now a lord justice of some kind. There are many justice ranks. I have never sorted them out,” she added with a laugh.

“I know the name. He is in the Court of Justiciary, I believe.”

Ellison felt a flutter of fear on his behalf; his reply was smooth but she heard a tense underlying note.

“Jeanie, at last,” Lady Strathniven said a tall maid in black came down the stairs carrying what seemed to be a heavy valise. “Where is MacNie? He was just here. Give that bag to the Duncraig driver. Where is he? We should be off soon.”

“Aye, madam.”

“Miss Jeanie, let me take that for you. Nonsense,” MacGregor said, reaching for the leather bag as she protested. “I do not mind at all. I am just headed outside myself.”

Ellison frowned. A lord offering to help a servant was a bit of afaux pas,although a kind gesture could rise above manners and earn praise and loyalty from household staff. She saw it as MacGregor’s nature—and perhaps he wanted an excuse to depart.