Page 49 of My Highland Love

Elise jumped.

“Do not move. I won't strike you. Though, God knows, I would love nothing more than to turn you over my knee.”

“Comforting,” she said with a snort.

“Listen, you little fool, when I think it's time for you to go, if I ever think it's time for you to go, I will tell you.”

“You can't stop me.”

Marcus stared. “You think I can't stop you? I can do anything I damn well please.” Though this was the first time he'd used his power to take advantage of a woman. “Do you plan on making her a prisoner?” his father had asked.

“Cameron is master here, not you,” Elise said. “He can let me go.”

“There's no real difference between my father's authority and mine.”

“There is enough difference. If he says I can go, then I can.”

“It doesn't matter. He will not.”

“You are so sure?”

Marcus exhaled loudly.

“You don't mind, then, if I ask.” She stood.

He couldn't believe it. “You would ask him?”

Elise raised a brow. “Afraid?”

Marcus paused. “You will let this rest if he agrees with me?”

“He won't.”

Marcus followed two paces behind as Elise stepped from the staircase into the great hall moments later. It was mid-afternoon, and only the men who had fetched her home lingered in the hall with Cameron. She smiled and approached him while Marcus sauntered to the hearth and propped an elbow on the large mantle. Elise stopped before Cameron, who glanced from her to Marcus, then back again.

“I would like to speak with you, Cameron,” she said.

He motioned the men to leave. She seated herself in the chair beside his. Once the men were gone, he looked expectantly at her.

“Marcus tells me I can't leave.”

“'Tis his decision.”

“You can countermand this edict.”

Cameron laughed. “I can, but will not.”

“Aren't I free?” she asked. “Don't I fall under the same law as every Highlander?”

Cameron's mouth twitched and he looked at Marcus. Marcus raised a brow and his father turned back to her. “Why do you want to leave, lass? Have we not been good to you? Have no' we cared for you as one of our own?” His expression softened. “You're a sweet lass. We would miss you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I feel certain you would survive quite well without me.” Her voice quieted. “I don't belong here.”

He frowned. “Who has been filling your head with such silliness?”

She hesitated. “No one. It's simply obvious, is all.”

“Nonsense.”