He whirled on her. "I have just spent one of the most hellish hours of my life and you think I'll be swayed by your indignation?" Marcus moved an inch closer. "Think again, my sweet." He inched even closer and she backed away from him. "I am the master here, and I will let you push me only so far." He slid closer.
Elise sidled to her left, but he grasped her shoulders. He forced her back against the wall and pressed himself against her. Their eyes locked. He broke the standoff, his gaze dropping to her lips. The beat of his heart pounded against the swell of her breasts. He breathed deep, then pulled her to the couch and shoved her onto the cushion.
"Now, what is this foolishness?"
"I can't stay here forever. It's time I go."
"It is not," he growled.
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."
Elise leaned on the table and said in lowered tones, "I must go."
"Why?"
She dropped her gaze to her hands clasped atop the table. "There are certain… rumors about me."
His brow furrowed. "Such as?"
Elise leaned closer. "It is said that I am Marcus's mistress."
"What?" Cameron burst out.
Marcus dropped his elbow from the mantel.
"Nay, lad." His father held up a hand. "Stand where you are." Marcus halted and Cameron focused again on Elise. "Who said this?"
She shook her head. "That isn't important."
"But it is."
"No—"
"If I am to consider any petition," he interrupted, "I must know all the facts."
After a moment's silence, she mumbled an answer.
"What? Speak up, lass."
Marcus strained, but missed the single word she repeated.
"Margaret?" Cameron repeated loudly.
Marcus started forward.
His father's attention jerked to him. "Hold, Marcus." Their gazes locked, Cameron's mouth twitching, then he looked back at Elise. "Is this what the two of you were fashin' over?"
"Margaret?" Marcus echoed.
Elise released an audible groan.
Cameron looked at him. "You should have seen 'em. Had I not arrived when I did—"
"It isn't funny," Elise snapped.
"Aye, lass"—his shoulders began to shake with laughter—"it is."
"All this over a silly conversation with Margaret?" Marcus demanded.
"It would seem so," Cameron said between fits of laughter.
"I will put an end to Margaret's troublemaking." Marcus muttered. His father had been right; he should have dallied with the demimonde and left the noblewomen to their own devices.
Elise grabbed Cameron's arm. "But, Cameron," she shook his arm, "it's not true."
"Wha—"
"She's lying," Elise insisted
Marcus's mind snapped to attention.
Cameron gave a final grunt, then sobered. He focused on Marcus. "Is this true? I had thought—" he broke off with a slight cough and a sideways glance at Elise.
Marcus swung his gaze onto Elise. "What are you doing?"
"Marcus," Cameron cut him off.
Marcus looked at his father.
"Is it true?" Cameron repeated.
"Damn close," Marcus replied with force.
"Marcus!" Elise cried.