Page 25 of A Rogue in Firelight (The Whisky Rogues #1)

I nvermorie’s great hall, warm and shabby, was bathed in candlelight in the hour before dawn. Ronan sat back, a cup of hot tea nestled in his hands, and gazed at the others there—Mairi, Ludo, Donal, Aleck, Rabbie, and the love of his life beside him, nibbling at buttered toast.

The table was scattered with dishes nearly empty now of scrambled eggs, sausages, toast, fruit, and more, as if this was a normal hour for breakfast. Somehow Mairi had managed to produce simple comforts quickly, and he was grateful.

Even better, Donal and Aleck had just returned, having rescued and moved the whisky casks and crates, lumbering back to Invermorie in the cart.

“So, you had quite the adventure,” Mairi said.

“We did,” Ronan replied. They had explained what they knew during the meal. “But we should not stay for long.”

“Aye, thank you for your hospitality,” Ellison said. “At Strathniven they will worry when they find we did not return last night.”

“Do stay and rest if you can. We can send the stable boy over to Strathniven to say you are here and safe after—an incident on the road last night. Aleck?”

The young man nodded, rose from the table, and hurried out the door.

“We could stay for just a bit,” Ronan agreed, seeing Ellison’s look of relief.

“Will you need to leave immediately for Edinburgh when you reach Strathniven?”

“The viscountess wants to leave today. When she returns from Duncraig, she will be eager to take to the road, knowing her.”

“All Scotland is in a mad rush to reach Edinburgh this week, I think. I wish we were also leaving for the city,” Mairi said.

Sir Ludo shrugged. “I would like to witness the festivities, but every nook and cranny is full, they say. Will you stay in the usual hotel, Ronan?”

“I am generally at the Waterloo when I am in the city, but my friend Hugh Cameron says it is full. Fifty rooms were reserved in July as soon as word was out. Barrie’s, The Crown, Davidson’s—all the hotels are full by now, he said.”

“I hope your friend has a spare bed,” Ludo said as he buttered an oatcake.

“I am sure you could stay with Lady Strathniven,” Ellison said.

“Mr. Cameron found a room for me, I think,” he replied.

“Good.” She sipped her tea, but Ronan sensed something troubled her.

“What is it?” he asked quietly.

“I do not want to see Mr. Corbie,” she murmured.

“If he is smart, he will not come near us. If I see him, we will have words.”

“Ellison, does your family know you and Ronan are betrothed now?” Mairi smiled. “I am so glad to hear it. Thank you for telling us—though you wanted to keep it a secret. But you know we will not tell.”

“I have not told them yet, though they could have heard a rumor at the dance last night,” Ellison answered. “My father will not be happy with me, but I will talk to him.”

“Sir Hector would surely think Ronan a fine choice for his daughter,” Sir Ludo said. “You have a proud ancestral line that includes the MacGregor chiefs as well as the old line of the earls of—”

“I will talk with Sir Hector,” Ronan said quickly, holding up a hand to stop Ludo from saying more about the original earls of Strathniven. He had not yet told Ellison that years ago the land had been forfeited and granted to Lady Strathniven’s husband.

“A daughter’s happiness should bring a father great pleasure.” Mairi smiled at her father. “One day I hope to be as happy.”

“I am sure you will be, dear,” Ludo said.

“Well.” She tilted her head. “Now is as good a time as any. I have something to tell all of you.”

Ronan grew still, dreading any news of Pitlinnie. It was hardly the time.

“I had a letter,” Mairi said, “from Lord Linhope, from Calton Jail.”

“Linhope!” Surprised, he sat forward. “I did not expect that. How is he? And MacInnes? Are they well?”

“Somehow he got a letter out, and said that he and MacInnes are well enough. They did not know where you were taken, and they have been worried about you. When he found a way to send a letter, he wrote to me on the chance I might know something about your fate.”

“I have been just as worried about them. But I heard he is able to act as a physician there, which is promising. Did he say anything else?”

“He said their accommodations have improved because of his work there. But there is something else.” Mairi looked around at them. “He said he hopes for my favorable answer.”

Stunned, remembering what she had told him the last time he was there, Ronan suddenly realized what she meant. He leaned forward. “Mairi—is it Linhope?”

“It is.” She smiled. “Who did you think?”

He only smiled. “Well done, my dear. But your father and your son must approve before I say aught.” Greatly relieved, he was still concerned about the fate of Linhope and MacInnes. He had yet to find a way to gain their release, if it was even possible.

If he could not save them, Mairi would be heartbroken once more, and he could not live with that. He sat silent while the others congratulated her.

“Lord Linhope is a fine man,” Ludo pronounced.

Donal beamed. “Truly, Mama? Linhope is an excellent fellow!”

“Did you answer him?” Ronan asked. Beside him, he saw Ellison looking from one to the other, silent, eyes shining.

“I would tell him aye, a thousand times aye, if I could only see him. I wrote my reply, but have not posted it yet. I fear it will be lost and he would never see it.”

“Give it to me. I will take it to him when I go to Edinburgh.”

“Oh, Ronan, thank you. And I am so happy that all of you are pleased!”

Ronan smiled and reached over to take Mairi’s hand. He knew for certain now that his wounded heart had healed and was coming to life again. He had found love and so had Mairi. He could ask for nothing better than that.

“Linhope,” he repeated. “I feared you were considering Pitlinnie’s proposal.”

“Pitlinnie!” Mairi looked horrified.

“We all thought so, Mairi Brodie.” Rabbie Muir had come in late to the discussion, having been sitting with his grandson Geordie, recovering upstairs. He was finishing his breakfast, and sat back. “That Pitlinnie made no secret of courting you for marriage. We feared you might fall for him.”

“ An amadan sin! That fool!” Mairi gave a bitter laugh. “I always thought he had something to do with Will’s death, and the troubles that came to Ronan and Linhope and MacInnes too. So I let him visit in case I could learn something about it.”

“Brave and kind,” Ronan said. “And I beg your pardon for thinking you gave a moment of thought to Pitlinnie. I am more than proud to welcome Linhope to the family. And we will welcome Ellison too, if she will have us just as we are.”

“I will,” Ellison said, her impish smile glowing. Ronan took her hand.

In a moment of clarity, he knew she was part of his life now, heart and soul, and part of his family. He was grateful she had agreed to marry him so quickly, but if she needed time to think on it, he could wait. He would wait for her forever.

“What I want to know about Pitlinnie,” Ludo said, “is why he arranged to have Ellison taken, and what can be done about it?”

“I have my suspicions,” Ronan said, “but we must go carefully. We cannot accuse a man without evidence. It will not stick.”

“Says the lawyer,” Ludo remarked with a wise nod.

“And how is Mr. Corbie involved?” Donal asked.

“I might know something about that,” Rabbie Muir said. “Last night I went to the distillery. I wanted to make a good count of the kegs and bottles there, since we had not yet found the whisky store.”

“Aye. What happened?” Ronan asked.

“A man came to the yard, very late. He said he needed some whisky and would I sell him some. Said if I gave it to him for free, he might remember where the lost Glenbrae whisky was. I had a bad feeling, since only the thieves would know that. But I agreed, see, and then a second fellow came in and they took three kegs.”

“Did they tell you where the other lot was?” Ronan asked.

He shook his head. “They said the whisky was for a wedding celebration, and that I would learn about the missing whisky if I came with them.”

Ellison sat forward. “Came with them! Oh, Rabbie Muir, how dangerous.”

“But I am a careful fellow. They asked if Ronan MacGregor was about. Then they showed a pistol. I had no choice but to go with them.”

“Where did they take you?” Ronan asked. “Thank God you are safe.”

“They said we would go to a wedding. I was puzzled. But now, hearing you lot, it is clear to me. The marriage, see.”

Ronan frowned. “Whose marriage?”

“They said they needed whisky for the wedding and they needed me.”

“Why? As a witness?” Ellison asked.

“No, Miss Graham. They wanted me to perform a marriage.”

“Perform?” Ronan sat straighter. “Why you?”

“Rabbie Muir was a pastor when he was a young man,” Sir Ludo said.

“I did not know that.” Ronan blinked in surprise.

“I was ordained as a young man and had a parish north of here,” Rabbie said. “Well before you were born, lad. But the clearing agents came through that glen and put my home and church to the torch. I had to protect my family, my young wife, and my aging parents, see. Your father, Ronan, bless him, was laird of Glen Brae then. He took us in and made me his factor, even gave me land in the glen.”

“I knew you were my father’s factor,” Ronan said. “I did not know the rest.”

“No reason to tell it. But know there no one more grateful and loyal to your kin than Auld Rabbie Muir.” He thumped his chest.

“I know you were a great friend of my father and grandfather too. How did these men know about you? Did you make the marriage?”

“Nah. But it was some lad marrying his ladylove quick-like.”

Sir Ludo looked at Ronan. “You? And Miss Graham?”

“No,” Ronan said.

“I heard a name.” Rabbie pursed his mouth. “They said Corbie was to marry his lady love.”

“Corbie!” Ellison cupped her hands over her mouth.

“I did not know the name. But now I am thinking those who wanted the whisky stole Miss Graham last night.”

“Devil take the man,” Ronan growled. “Was Corbie there?”

“He was to meet them but never showed. Nor did the lass.”

“Indeed,” Ronan drawled. “How did you get away?”

“They took me near Loch Brae. That made no sense to me, for there is only that cursed water and that rotten old tower. They left me waiting in the cart,” Rabbie explained. “But then horses got loose, and the idiots went chasing after them. And me sitting with the whisky in a cart. So I left and came here.” He shrugged.

Ronan laughed, shook his head. “We are glad you did.”

“If they looked for find me, they did not think to come here. And now we have our whisky back. All of it.” Rabbie looked smug and satisfied.

“So Corbie meant to force Ellison into marriage,” Ronan said.

“I fear so,” Rabbie said.

Ellison looked at Ronan. “They mentioned others. Perhaps they meant Pitlinnie.”

He nodded. “Corbie and Pitlinnie must have schemed this at the cèilidh after we told him we were engaged. I saw them deep in discussion later.”

“But why would they bother to stage a marriage?” she asked.

“He wants to prevent our marriage, and thought this would do it.”

“How did they know you could marry them, Rabbie Muir?” Mairi asked.

“Some in the glen know about it. I am muckle glad his plan was ruined.”

“So am I,” Ellison said.

“Likely he is on his way to Edinburgh,” Ronan said. “And I mean to find him.” He fisted a hand on the table, taut whitened knuckles containing his anger.

“Miss Graham may still be in danger if he was that desperate to marry her,” Sir Ludo said. “What does the fellow really want?”

“I wish I knew.” Ronan glanced at Ellison, who began to reply.

“He wants Strathniven,” she said. “He is Lady Strathniven’s heir, but she insists that he find a practical wife if he expects to inherit.”

“He wants your father’s approval and favor very badly too,” Ronan murmured.

“He does. With a good marriage and a peer’s title, he could rise high in a civil office. And if he sees Papa before I do, he could convince him that he should marry me. Papa relies on him. Favors him.”

“We must get to the city before he does any more damage.” Ronan flexed his hand, anger simmering. Ellison rested a gentle hand on his forearm. He relaxed, feeling the care in her touch.

“What if we could ensure that Mr. Corbie cannot marry our Ellison?” Mairi asked. Ronan and the others looked her way.

Our Ellison. He drew in a breath. “What do you mean?”

“Mr. Muir, what do you think?” Mairi smiled at Rabbie, sitting beside her.

He tipped his head. “I would be honored to perform marriage for those two.”

“Now?” Ronan glanced at Ellison. He immediately saw the sense in it. And he knew how much he wanted it. But he tipped a brow toward her in silent question.

Ellison stared up him, eyes wide. “Married, now?”

“If it is agreeable.” His heart thumped. “I would agree. But it is up to you.”

“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 done a 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.”

Then a tender kiss, Ronan’s lips upon hers, his hands at her waist. Kisses were not the usual at weddings, she knew but this little wedding felt different, truly so. Tears slid down her cheeks as she smiled up at him, feeling the devotion in her heart, seeing its match in his eyes.

“It is done, love,” Ronan whispered.

Within the half-hour, mounted on horses from the Invermorie stable, she cantered beside her husband toward what lay ahead.