Page 92 of The Last Debutante
“What is this?” he demanded of her, gesturing to the door. “What are you about, lass?”
She looked at him with dark, lifeless eyes. “What it seems. I’m to England.”
“Daria—”
“Now that the ransom has been paid, I am free to go, am I not?”
He would not deny that; he had given his word. “What of your grandmamma, then?” he demanded a bit frantically.
“Captain Mackenzie is sending his men—”
“The hell he is.” Jamie looked at Geordie, who knew instantly what he needed and quietly walked out the door to the bailey. “No one is going anywhere, as it happens,” Jamie said. “I hold all of you for ransom.”
Daria gasped. “You can’t do that!”
“No, you canna,” Mackenzie said, his voice deadly calm.
“No? I am laird here; I can do as I please. Do you intend to stop me?” he asked Mackenzie, just as calmly.
Mackenzie braced his legs apart. “If I must.”
“Assuming you can, which I doubt, you’ll have to stop them, too,” Jamie said, nodding at the Campbell men who were filing in behind Geordie.
Mackenzie’s face darkened. “You are making a grave mistake, Laird.”
“Aye, well, I’m no’ alone.” Jamie looked up at Daria. “Come here, Miss Babcock. We must speak—”
“No,”she said. “We are leaving, Laird. You must honor your word.” Her mother put her hand on Daria’s shoulder, but Daria angrily shook it off. “You said that I was free when the ransom was paid; you promised. And ifyoudon’t honor your word, ifyoubetray me...” She choked back a sob.
“If I donna honor my word, what?” he challenged her, stepping up onto the stairs. “What will you do?”
“I will lose all hope.” She whirled about, pushing past her parents and Miss Scott and retreating up the stairs.
Jamie looked at Geordie. “No one leaves. No’ until Miss Babcock and I have resolved a thing or two.” He started up the stairs.
“What do you intend to do, Laird Campbell? Force her to your will?” Miss Scott asked as he moved past her.
Jamie paused to look her directly in the eye. “If necessary, that is precisely what I mean to do.”
A smile spread across Miss Scott’s face. “Best of luck, then,” she said softly, and stepped back.
“Mr. Campbell, please,” Jamie heard Daria’s mother say, but it was too late. He was running up the stairs, his mind made up.
THE DOOR TOher suite banged open with such force that it hit the wall. Daria whirled around with a start; she opened her mouth to protest, but Jamie didn’t give her an opportunity. He strode across the room, grabbed her face between his hands, and kissed her. Hard. He kissed her until her body softened, until he could feel the tension seeping out of her.
He softened his kiss, then slowly lifted his head. “You meant to board that coach and leave without a word? Bloody hell,leannan,what do you mean to do to me?” he asked softly.
She sighed wearily and dropped her head against his shoulder. How could she possibly explain it? “What I mean to do is spare you the dishonor that will soon be associated with my name.”
“You’ll have to be a wee bit clearer than that.”
A tear slipped from her eye. “I learned something quite horrible today. I am... I am abastard,” she whispered.
Jamie stared at her, his brows sinking with his confusion.
“Mamie told me the truth at last,” she said, and reluctantly, tearfully, related the full story.
Jamie listened, his expression reflecting the horror of her words. She knew it was the worst sort of news for her. And for him.
