Page 81 of Desire of a Highlander

Henry’s eyes narrowed. “And ye think they’ll get any of that whilst Scotland is yoked to the English crown? What happens when the King’s soldiers find yer precious valley? They willnae care that ye have tried to stay out of the conflict. They will burn the Steading to the ground. “

The image struck far closer to Ronan’s fears than he cared to admit, and Henry saw his reaction.

“Ye’ve already realized this, of course. It’s the only reason ye would risk a confrontation with yer brother.”

Ronan felt the nerve in his cheek twitching furiously. His hands clenched into fists, and he forced them to relax. Sensing his tension, Elodie stepped closer until her shoulder brushed Ronan’s arm. She said not a word, but her presence steadied him.

Henry faced Ronan. “I know what yer brother stole from ye. I also know that Bryce Campbell will never surrender yer inheritance willingly. We share a common enemy. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, aye? So let us help.”

Henry took a slow step closer. “We can provide men. Weapons. Support.” He spread his hands. “Ye need only stand with us.”

Lady Alana spoke softly. “We offer ye everything ye abandoned.”

Everything he abandoned? Memories suddenly engulfed him. Ronan saw his father’s ruddy face, his mother’s warm smile. He remembered the smithy on the estate where he’d hidden from lessons. He remembered his brothers laughing before grief and ambition had poisoned everything.

For one dangerous heartbeat, he wanted it. He wanted everything he’d lost, everything he’d given up. Everything his brother had taken from him.

“Come home, Ronan,” Henry Murdoch said softly. “Ye are the rightful laird. Yer people deserve a leader. Ye deserve yer birthright.”

Elodie’s fingers closed around his arm, squeezing, and he met her gaze. She didn’t speak, but she didn’t have to. He knew what she was thinking about. The Steading. Faye. Eamon. David. Sarah. All the people who had trusted him, not because of his title, but because of who he’d chosen to become.

Aye, for a moment, he’d wanted his old life back. He’d wanted the title, the lands, the power. But only for a moment. What he really wanted, what he had always wanted, was peace. For his people. For Elodie.

He looked back at Henry. “What if I refuse?”

Henry’s expression scarcely changed. “That would not be a wise decision.” The men around the clearing moved, their hands going to their pistols, but Henry held up a hand to stop them. “Dinna make yer decision now. Think about it.”

Lady Alana bent and smiled at Morag. “Time to go home now, little one.”

Morag looked uncertainly at Ronan.

He crouched. “Come here, lassie.”

Morag ran into his arms and lifted her against his shoulder.

Henry folded his gloves neatly. “Ye and the child may go.”

Ronan’s blood went cold. “What about Elodie?”

Six muskets were suddenly raised and pointed right at Elodie who went as pale as milk.

“Lady Elodie will remain with us as our guest. I give ye my word she willnae be harmed. Return by first light tomorrow to give us yer decision.”

Two soldiers moved towards Elodie, but Ronan stepped in front of them before they could reach her. “Touch her and I’ll kill ye,” he growled.

Elodie laid a hand on his arm. She looked terrified as she met Ronan’s gaze. “It’s all right,” she said. “Get Morag home. I’ll stay here until you come back.”

She looked right at him, and beneath the fear in her eyes he saw something else. Trust.

Ronan swallowed hard. “I’ll be back for ye.”

She nodded tightly. “I know you will. “

Henry stepped aside. “Ye’d best go, Laird Campbell. Yer people will be worried.”

Ronan held Elodie’s gaze for another long heartbeat, then, with Morag held securely against him, he turned away. Every instinct screamed at him not to leave Elodie but he knew what the outcome would be if he drew his pistol now.

Whistling for the dogs to heel, he forced himself to walk away. Each step felt like he had lead weights strapped to his ankles, each movement that took him further away from her felt like he was being ripped in half.