by Tarah Scott
“Where is she?” Marcus demanded.
The men parted to reveal Elise, head downcast, hair damp. Marcus frowned, his first thought was Why had she not been given a tartan? But she raised her head and the fire in her eyes ignited an answering fury in him. He strode to her, grabbed her by the shoulders, and began shaking her.
“What do you think you were doing?” He shook her harder with every word.
“Marcus!” Cameron's sharp voice cut through the haze. “You'll shake her to death.”
“Or mayhap shake some sense into her.” He shoved her away from him and raked his hand through his hair.
“Laird,” Daniel said.
Marcus looked at Daniel, who tossed a small pouch to him. He caught it and the clink of coin rattled inside the leather.
“'Tis Elise's—”
Marcus jerked his gaze onto his captain.
“The money she received from the pawnbroker,” Daniel finished.
Marcus loosed the tie and emptied the coins into his palm. He counted five sovereign. A small fortune. He looked at Elise. “What were you selling?”
She remained mute. He turned to Daniel.
Daniel cleared his throat. “A wedding ring, according to the bill of sale.”
Marcus watched dumbfounded as Daniel produced a piece of paper from within his sporran. He strode to the table and laid the bill of sale on it.
Marcus looked at Elise. “A hefty sum, even for a gold band.”
She lifted her chin a fraction. “How did you find me?”
He slipped the coins back into the pouch, then tossed it on the table. “The MacGregor can track you, remember?”
Her cheeks colored and he knew she remembered that day in the meadow when she had threatened him with the MacGregor fury should he harm her and the children. 'I tracked these children. You think he cannot track you?' she had said.
He broke eye contact. “Go change into dry clothes.” Silence followed and he looked to see she hadn't so much as twitched a muscle. Marcus narrowed his eyes. “I warn you, Elise, do no' try my temper any further. Go upstairs. Now.”
She remained motionless. He lunged forward and scooped her onto his shoulder. Whoops and cheers rang throughout the room.
“Marcus MacGregor!” She thrashed.
He answered with a hard squeeze to her legs. The men responded with more raucous laughter. Applause followed as he strode across the room and bounded up the stairs. She twisted in his grasp, but Marcus ignored the futile effort until he reached her bedchamber, where he kicked the door open and, in three paces, tossed her onto the bed. She landed on the mattress and immediately made to scramble to her knees. Marcus leapt forward, one knee on the bed, and planted his hands on each side of her.
“Get away!” she shouted as she scooted backwards.
She fell back against the bed when he brought his face to within an inch of hers.
“If you do not change into dry clothes, I will do it for you.”
Elise remained motionless, but he caught the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. He pushed away from her and stood. She crawled off the bed, her gaze on him, as she fetched the dress hanging in the closet. She faced him. Marcus waved toward the screen in the corner.
“Kind of you,” she retorted.
“Do not try me,” he growled.
“Try you?” Elise snorted, then stepped behind the screen.
“All I want to know is why?” he demanded.
The rustling of clothing paused. A long moment of silence passed, then she said, “Exactly my question.”
Marcus started to reply but threw himself, instead, onto the couch opposite the bed. A moment later, she appeared from behind the screen.
“Why did you leave?” he demanded.
“Why did you bring me back?”
He frowned. “I didn't. Cameron did. I wasn't aware you had left until an hour ago.”
“Cameron?” Her eyes darkened. “So I have him to thank for scaring me half out of my wits.”
Marcus leapt from the couch. Elise retreated several steps.
“You truly have taken leave of your senses.” He stopped two paces from her. “Had I known—had I come for you—I would have given you a scare you wouldn't have forgotten. Being kidnapped by the Campbells clearly left no impression on you.”
“I was well out of MacGregor territory when Daniel found me. I was safe.”
Marcus seized her hand and yanked her close. “So safe you were accosted in an alleyway. And a woman on a ship alone—bound for America—no, Australia. No money, no escort—although, money you had in abundance. Why did you leave?”
Her lips pursed. “That is none of your business.”
“None of my business? Bloody hell, Elise, I will have my answers.” He yanked her so close he could feel her breath on his face. “Why?”
He twisted her wrist slightly and she winced.
“Elise,” he repeated.
Silence followed, then she said, “I decided it was time to go.”
Marcus tightened the tenuous hold on his temper. “Well, you can't go.” He shoved her away from him. He closed his eyes, massaging the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger.
“I can't go?” she repeated softly.
He whirled on her. “I have just spent one of the most hellish hours of my life and you think I'll be swayed by your indignation?” Marcus moved an inch closer. “Think again, my sweet.” He inched even closer and she backed away from him. “I am the master here, and I will let you push me only so far.” He slid closer.
Elise sidled to her left, but he grasped her shoulders. He forced her back against the wall and pressed himself against her. Their eyes locked. He broke the standoff, his gaze dropping to her lips. The beat of his heart pounded against the swell of her breasts. He breathed deep, then pulled her to the couch and shoved her onto the cushion.
“Now, what is this foolishness?”
“I can't stay here forever. It's time I go.”
“It is not,” he growled.
Elise jumped.
“Do not move. I won't strike you. Though, God knows, I would love nothing more than to turn you over my knee.”
“Comforting,” she said with a snort.
“Listen, you little fool, when I think it's time for you to go, if I ever think it's time for you to go, I will tell you.”
“You can't stop me.”
Marcus stared. “You think I can't stop you? I can do anything I damn well please.” Though this was the first time he'd used his power to take advantage of a woman. “Do you plan on making her a prisoner?” his father had asked.
“Cameron is master here, not you,” Elise said. “He can let me go.”
“There's no real difference between my father's authority and mine.”
“There is enough difference. If he says I can go, then I can.”
“It doesn't matter. He will not.”
“You are so sure?”
Marcus exhaled loudly.
“You don't mind, then, if I ask.” She stood.
He couldn't believe it. “You would ask him?”
Elise raised a brow. “Afraid?”
Marcus paused. “You will let this rest if he agrees with me?”
“He won't.”
Marcus followed two paces behind as Elise stepped from the staircase into the great hall moments later. It was mid-afternoon, and only the men who had fetched her home lingered in the hall with Cameron. She smiled and approached him while Marcus sauntered to the hearth and propped an elbow on the large mantle. Elise stopped before Cameron, who glanced from her to Marcus, then back again.
“I would like to speak with you, Cameron,” she said.
He motioned the men to leave. She seated herself in the chair beside his. Once the men were gone, he looked expectantly at her.
“Marcus tells me I can't leave.”
“'Tis his decision.”
“You can countermand this edict.”
Cameron laughed. “I can, but wi
ll not.”
“Aren't I free?” she asked. “Don't I fall under the same law as every Highlander?”
Cameron's mouth twitched and he looked at Marcus. Marcus raised a brow and his father turned back to her. “Why do you want to leave, lass? Have we not been good to you? Have no' we cared for you as one of our own?” His expression softened. “You're a sweet lass. We would miss you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I feel certain you would survive quite well without me.” Her voice quieted. “I don't belong here.”
He frowned. “Who has been filling your head with such silliness?”
She hesitated. “No one. It's simply obvious, is all.”
“Nonsense.”
Elise leaned on the table and said in lowered tones, “I must go.”
“Why?”
She dropped her gaze to her hands clasped atop the table. “There are certain… rumors about me.”
His brow furrowed. “Such as?”
Elise leaned closer. “It is said that I am Marcus's mistress.”
“What?” Cameron burst out.
Marcus dropped his elbow from the mantel.
“Nae, lad.” His father held up a hand. “Stand where you are.” Marcus halted and Cameron focused again on Elise. “Who said this?”
She shook her head. “That isn't important.”
“But it is.”
“No—”
“If I am to consider any petition,” he interrupted, “I must know all the facts.”
After a moment's silence, she mumbled an answer.
“What? Speak up, lass.”
Marcus strained, but missed the single word she repeated.
“Margaret?” Cameron repeated loudly.
Marcus started forward.
His father's attention jerked to him. “Hold, Marcus.” Their gazes locked, Cameron's mouth twitching, then he looked back at Elise. “Is this what the two of you were fashin' over?”
“Margaret?” Marcus echoed.
Elise released an audible groan.
Cameron looked at him. “You should have seen 'em. Had I not arrived when I did—”
“It isn't funny,” Elise snapped.
“Aye, lass”—his shoulders began to shake with laughter—”it is.”
“All this over a silly conversation with Margaret?” Marcus demanded.
“It would seem so,” Cameron said between fits of laughter.
“I will put an end to Margaret's troublemaking.” Marcus muttered. His father had been right; he should have dallied with the demimonde and left the noblewomen to their own devices.
Elise grabbed Cameron's arm. “But, Cameron,” she shook his arm, “it's not true.”
“Wha—”
“She's lying,” Elise insisted
Marcus's mind snapped to attention.
Cameron gave a final grunt, then sobered. He focused on Marcus. “Is this true? I had thought—” he broke off with a slight cough and a sideways glance at Elise.
Marcus swung his gaze onto Elise. “What are you doing?”
“Marcus,” Cameron cut him off.
Marcus looked at his father.
“Is it true?” Cameron repeated.
“Damn close,” Marcus replied with force.
“Marcus!” Elise cried.
“Do not act as if it isn't true,” he replied irritably.
She shot to her feet. “You are no gentleman, sir.”
“Elise,” his father said, “sit.”
She cast a dark glance at Marcus. He raised a brow, but she did as ordered and reseated herself.
Cameron addressed Marcus. “Is it true, lad?”
“Aye, she speaks the truth.”
“Margaret ought not to have lied.” Cameron gave Marcus a quick glance. “'Course, she had no way of knowing it was a lie.” He rubbed his chin. “If ye don't belong to Marcus—”
“Cameron!” Marcus strode across the room to his father's side.
Elise leapt from her chair. “Be quiet, Marcus MacGregor, and let your father speak.”
“She may have a point,” Cameron said.
Marcus kept his gaze on Cameron. “Father,” he growled, “you know my feelings on this.”
“Aye, lad, but if you haven't done anything about it yet—”
“Cameron—”
“I warn you, Marcus.” Elise stalked toward him. “Remain silent and let your father finish, or I'll…” she stopped, looking wildly about the room. Her gaze stopped on the weapons mounted on the wall, and she ran to them.
Marcus cast his father a look and they both burst out laughing. Elise made a frustrated sound as she began tugging on a scabbard containing a large sword. The weapon remained fixed and she moved to another. That one didn't budge, nor the next or the next.
“Elise, lass,” Cameron said between howls of laughter, “you're tugging on the scabbards.” He laughed even harder. “If you wish to draw a weapon”—he slapped the table with his hand, “grab the”—he gasped with laughter—”hilt.” He doubled over with laughter. “By God,” he wheezed, “are ye sure you're not Irish, lass?”
“Irish?” She laid a hand on the hilt of a lady's sgian dubh mounted above the swords she had already tried. “You've never seen an Irish temper like my father's. Except, perhaps”—she turned back to the wall—”mine.”
Elise pulled the dagger free of its scabbard. She stepped a pace from the wall, drew back, and threw the knife. The sgian dubh whizzed between Marcus and his father, entering the wooden table with a loud thwang.
Aside from a “Sweet mother of God” from the kitchen doorway, silence reigned. Both men stared at the knife.
Marcus pulled the dagger free of the wood and held it up, looking at her. “You missed.”
She raised a brow. “I did not.”
“Sweet mother of God,” Cameron repeated. “Where did you learn to throw a knife like that?”
She gave him a disgusted look.
“Are you sure you want her, Marcus?”
“Aye,” he replied, not taking his eyes off her.
Cameron slapped the table again. “A Celtish woman who can throw a knife. I knew I liked you.” He patted the chair. “Come, sit.”
Marcus tensed for the moment she studied them before crossing to the chair and reseating herself.
Cameron leaned back in his chair. “Why didn't you tell us you are Celt?”
“I didn't know it mattered.”
He gave Marcus a satisfied look.
“What?” she demanded. “What has happened?”
“'Tis as you said,” Cameron said, “you fall under Highland law. You're an Irishwoman. We are family.”
“I am free to go, then?”
“Well,” he answered slowly, “'tis not so easy.”
“But Winnie said any clansman who didn't agree with their clan could leave.”
Cameron's lips thinned. “I wouldn't speak of Winnie. That isn't working in your favor.”
“But—”
He shook his head. “She would be the first to admit that she wasn't talking about women traipsing off alone.”
“What?”
Cameron gave her a considering look. “Did she not send Peter with you?”
“Yes, bu—”
“And did she not tell you it was a bad idea?”
“I wouldn't say—”
Cameron raised a brow.
“I have a right to come and go as I please.”
“You're a woman,” he insisted. “You must submit to your lord.”
She stiffened. “I have no lord. I am unmarried.”
“All women have a lord,” he explained gently.
Elise shook her head. “I am free.”
“Aye, you are a free woman—not a slave—but I am your lord.”
“You? Ridiculous.”
“You are under my roof. You are a part of us.”
“Cameron—”
“It would be wrong of me to let you go,” he interrupted gruffly. “You should never have run off in
the first place.”
“But you were going to let me go,” she insisted.
He shrugged. “I was considering it, but I hadn't made up my mind either.”
Elise jumped up and whirled on Marcus. “This is your fault.”
“My fault? This was your idea.”
“Now, lass,” Cameron interjected, “tomorrow Marcus will deal with Margaret and she'll never interfere again.”
Elise turned on Cameron. “Cameron, please—”
He brought his palm down on the table. “Enough.” He looked to Marcus. “Marcus, take her upstairs and put her to bed—once and for all.”
Marcus took hold of her arm. She started to resist, but Cameron gave a single shake of his head. Marcus prodded her toward the stairs and her shoulders slumped.
“This is wrong,” she said, taking the stairs with deliberate slowness.
“It's finished,” Marcus replied.
“You have nothing to say about it.”
“I have been patient,” he said, as they reached the top of the stairs.
“I never asked for your patience.”
He placed a hand on her back and urged her down the hallway at a quicker pace. “Count yourself fortunate that's what you've gotten. Now go to bed.”
They came to a halt before her bedchamber door.
“I'll go to bed when I am good and ready,” she retorted.
Marcus leaned in close behind her. “Go to bed before it's too late.”
She shook her head.
“You play a dangerous game.” He opened the bedchamber door and shoved her inside.
“What the devil are you talking about?”
He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. “By God, did your husband teach you nothing of respect? What of trust”—desire flared to life inside him—”or…desire?”
Elise paled.
Marcus started at her sudden expression of pain. “Bloody hell.” He reached her side in an instant. “Forgive me, love.”
She turned away, but he grasped her shoulders.
“Please go,” she said, her head averted.
“Did you love him deeply?” Marcus asked. She grasped his wrist and tried to disengage them from her hands, but he tightened his grip. “Elise?”
She lifted her head and met his gaze. “No.”
Marcus blinked. Her eyes widened and he was unsure if he read fear or remorse. “What happened?” he asked.
