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“I would never allow it,” he grumbled. “I won’t allow any of it. ”
Determined, she took a different tack. “This is all idle speculation. My father has set my course. Until we find evidence of any wrongdoing, there is no way he’ll break the betrothal. ”
“Don’t I have a say?”
She bristled. He had a say, and more than a say—his thoughts and actions affected her more than he could ever know. But she saw the way of it clearly, and he didn’t seem to understand.
She could act as bravely as he, and with as much success. She could solve both their problems at once, if only he’d trust her.
She stuck with the argument that, sadly, was closest to the truth. “My father has made his decision. I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. I have no choice. ”
“There’s always a choice. ”
“You, of all men, know that’s not true. ” She sighed, tired of arguing. She knew her plan was their only option. If he disagreed, she’d have to proceed on her own—he’d see the wisdom of her actions later. “I know my father. Whatever your feelings for me, you have no claim. There can be no claim. ”
She turned and was continuing down the hill when she felt him grab her. He spun her, the look on his face dangerous. He held her shoulders in his hands, and she couldn’t look away.
“If you think I’ll stand idly by while you put yourself in harm’s way. Beth …” Fury made his words come haltingly. “Dammit, Beth, if you think I can watch as you give yourself … to another man—”
“Is everything all right here?”
She recognized Angus’s slow baritone. Aidan’s grip eased, and though he reluctantly let her go, anger sparked in his eyes.
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“Aye,” she said, looking up to face the farmer. “I have the situation well in hand. ”
Aidan gave a bitter laugh. “So you think. ”
Angus loomed on the hilltop, and though he only held a spade, the burly man somehow managed to make the thing look like the most intimidating of weapons. He pinned Aidan with an unwavering glare. “Is the MacAlpin bothering you? Never before have I heard you shout so. ”
“He is bothering me. ” She met and held Aidan’s eye. “Or rather, his closed mind is. ”
“I’m not bothering her,” Aidan said angrily. “I’m talking sense into her. ”
She raised her brows. “And you’re just about done?”
Aidan reached out to touch her, but after a glance up at the farmer stayed his hand. “This is far from done. ” He met her eyes, and the expression on his face chilled her. “You’re diving into deep waters. Deeper than you know. You must listen to me, listen to sense. Let me keep you safe. ”
He was being overprotective, but she knew, only she had the power to find the information they needed. “Sense? I’m the most sensible woman I know. You’ll see. I’m stronger and cleverer than you take me for. I don’t need you or any man to keep me safe, when I am perfectly capable of handling matters on my own. ”
She hated hurting him, hated arguing, but he’d forgive her the moment he saw her plan triumph. Keeping her face brave, she told him, “Go, Aidan. This is my business now. ”
Elspeth stormed to the bottom of the hill, knowing he hadn’t followed. It seemed, where Aidan was concerned, she’d only just found her voice and her confidence, and it broke her heart to have to use both just to squabble. But she would have her way, because she knew, it was in her power to help both of them.
She would prove Dougal an unfit mate. And she’d lead Aidan to his enemy in the bargain.
Aidan spent the night tossing on his cruelly tiny cot, the same thoughts running a deep rut in his mind. If he were a better man, he could simply claim Elspeth. He would be the one marrying her. But he had nothing, was nothing.
He thought of his enemy, and a familiar fury crackled to life in his belly. The Endeavor. It was his ship—the man with the black pearl. This Captain Will was there for the taking. Aidan could feel him—he just knew he was on board—and lightning crackled through his bones, making him ache for a fight, eager for vengeance. He just needed to find a way. Then he would have peace.
Then he would have Elspeth.
He’d walked down to the sea before dawn, and sat there still, his mind churning, damn it all. But he couldn’t stop the negative thoughts from flooding him, cracking the dam that’d held his resentment at bay.
Elspeth wasn’t going to fight her engagement. She thought if she insinuated herself into Fraser’s circle, she might find hard evidence, might even find a way for him to get to Captain Will. But she was naive, and she was wrong.
Dread was a constant churning in his belly. His enemy was so close, his future with Elspeth within reach. And yet both eluded him. Both, so far away.
