“He’s the man I love,” she returned, angry tears in her eyes, and Ian had had enough.
He took her hand. “Come, let’s leave.” He didn’t even want the payment promised because he knew anything he received, Harrell would twist for his own purposes.
And bless her, Lyssa was willing to come with him. Her love was true. Ian opened the door and they would have left save for Harrell’s saying, “Wait!”
He stopped. He did not want to part with her father as enemies.
Pirate Harrell said, “I need to talk to you alone, Campion. Lyssa, you and Frances go out to the coach.”
“I’m staying here,” Lyssa said.
“No,” her father answered. “Campion and I need to speak honestly with each other. If when I’m done, he is still determined to take you from me, then I’ll let you go with my blessing.”
“You would?” Lyssa questioned.
“I would.”
She hesitated in indecision. Ian said, “Go. It will be fine.”
The worried line appeared on her brow, and he smiled. “Wouldn’t we rather have his blessing?”
“Yes,” she agreed fervently.
“Then, let me hear what he has to say. Perhaps I can convince him I have your best interests at heart.”
She turned back to her father. “I love you, Papa, and I love him.” Her statement was simple and powerful. She opened the door and left. The duchess followed silently behind after one worried glance at her husband.
Harrell waited until the door was shut behind them. He moved to the window and watched until the women had arrived to stand by the coach. He closed the curtain.
“You have a nephew?”
The question surprised Ian. Before he could answer, Harrell said, “Liam is his name. Smart lad. Young, able, a bit wild.”
“He can be all those things,” Ian returned tightly.
Harrell hummed an agreement. “He was also in with a bad crowd when we first met, was he not?”
“You’d not harm a child.”
“I will do what I must to protect my family,” Harrell replied plainly. “Parker had a good conversation with Liam. He learned quite a bit. Oh, don’t worry, your nephew is safe in the cottage in Chelsea where you stashed them. You see, Campion, I do admire you. You protect your family and I have no doubt you would do everything you could for Lyssa.”
“I love her.”
“I’m certain you do.”
“But?” Ian prompted.
“I’ve already said the but. You are a wanted man.”
Ian went very still.
“Liam thinks it is very exciting,” Harrell confided.
“Liam doesn’t know what he is talking about,” Ian contradicted.
“He does on this matter.” Harrell sat on the edge of the table in front of the window. “I had Parker check the matter through. We could even collect the bounty for you.”
“It doesn’t make any difference what you do,” Ian said, choosing his words carefully. “Lyssa is mine.”
