Page 98 of Highland Renegade
Ian’s rather lustful thoughts disappeared. Emily was clenching her hands so tightly he could see they were white, even from where he stood. He wanted to remind her that he’d told her he wouldn’t throw her out. He started to say as much when Donovan spoke.
“’Tis time we take back what is ours.”
“Aye. MacGregor holdings should nae be in the hands of the English.” Broderick looked at him. “Ye are our laird, by Scottish law. Do ye nae agree?”
Ian opened his mouth, then closed it. The Crown didn’t recognize lairds but the Scots still did. His duty was to protect his lands. Not only did his clan expect it, he would no doubt be exiled from them—and truly wander in the mists—if he did not claim what had been rightfully theirs. He glanced at Emily, but she wasn’t looking at him. Well, this would simply be one more reason why she should marry him. Surely she would see the reasonableness of that now. He took a deep breath.
“Aye, Clan MacGregor must have our lands back.”
…
Emily wasn’t sure how she managed to hold herself together until she reached her bedchamber, but somehow she’d found the strength to hold her head up and walk out while the men were talking about celebrating. She’d refused to look at Ian.
He had betrayed her.
She shut the door practically in her sisters’ faces. They’d both wanted to come in, but she told them she had some thinking to do. Juliana had been furious about the news and Lorelei had a dozen questions and, until she could sort things out, she just wasn’t ready to deal with either of them.
Clan MacGregor must have our lands back. Those were Ian’s words. He hadn’t said “theirs” and he hadn’t corrected his uncles when they both said the English should not have a claim. They’d meant her.Sheshould not have a claim.
Emily sank into the chair by the hearth and stared at the cold ashes. Her heart felt like those cold ashes looked. Spent. Where hope had leaped like fire only this morning, now she felt her heart, like the ashes, could be swept up and discarded.
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand. She’d been in Scotland long enough to realize how important a clan’s holdings were. She had even given thought to offering Ian a proposal—not for marriage—but one where they would share equal profits. That was no longer applicable. Once Parliament restored the MacGregors’ status, they could—and would—pursue getting their lands back. No doubt they’d also petition the Crown for the title to the castle as well. If King George acquiesced, she would be back where she started.
She desperately needed a plan. Slowly, as she continued to stare into an empty hearth, one began to form. It wasn’t what she wanted, but she thought Ian might agree to it, since it would make things easier for his clan. As she stood to go find him, a knock sounded on her door. A moment later, it opened and Ian poked his head around as though she’d conjured him.
“May I come in?”
“Yes. I…was just coming to look for you.”
Ian closed the door. “Ye were?”
“Yes. I have a proposal.”
He grinned. “I kenned ye’d see the way of it.”
“The way of it?”
“Aye. Marriage to me solves all the problems, does it nae?”
Her silly heart skittered. If only it were so easy. But she knew he was offering a business proposal, however much they’d enjoyed their bedding. Lust was not love and he had yet to even hint at that. Love was not something that could be forced, either. She might love him— Dear God, she had come to that realization while she was doing her thinking—but she didn’t want to go through life with a husband who didn’t love her back.
Slowly, she shook her head. “It does not. Your uncles made it quite clear earlier that I am not welcome here—”
“They can move elsewhere.”
“No.” She felt tears sting her eyes and willed herself not to cry. “Can you not see that I would just be breaking up your family? You finally have the chance to be their true laird. I do not want to be an obstacle.”
“An obstacle?”
“Yes. Now—after centuries—you finally have the opportunity to be a proud clan again.”
He was silent and she knew that his silence was the answer. It wasn’t the one she wanted, but it proved she’d made the right decision. “Here is what I propose. I will turn over the deed to the castle and the lands willingly. In return, I want enough money to purchase a small house. I also want ten percent of the profit from the sales of the whisky going to White’s annually. That will allow me to have financial independence.”
He furrowed his brow. “I told ye I would nae throw ye and yer sisters out. Why would ye need financial independence?”
Here was the crux. If she stayed, her heart would be broken, not that she was going to confess that. She didn’t want his pity, for God’s sake. “Because I cannot continue like this. Iwillnot continue like this.” Emily took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “My sisters and I will be returning to London.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
