Page 28 of A Touch So Wicked

“’Tis exactly what I intend to do,” Damian allowed. “Return to your duties in the keep and fields, and Lady Elissa will be given her freedom.”

Hands on hips, Maggie shoved past Dermot. “Freedom to come and go as she pleases, my lord?”

Damian frowned. “I cannot allow her full amnesty. I must obey the king’s wishes. What I meant was freedom within the castle and inside the walls surrounding Misterly. No harm will befall your lady at my hands.”

“Where is our lass?” Lachlan called out.

“I am here,” Elissa exclaimed from behind Damian.

Damian remained watchful as she strode toward him. What she said to her kinsmen would be vital to his tenure as Lord of Misterly.

“Are ye well, Elissa?” Dermot asked anxiously.

“I am fine, Dermot.”

“Tell us what to do,” Lachlan said. “Shall we cooperate with his lordship? Ye have but to say, lass.”

“I donna like being locked in the tower,” Elissa replied, sending Damian an acerbic look.

“As I’ve explained, you have but to return to your duties to win Lady Elissa her freedom.”

“What about Lady Marianne and little Lora?” Winifred, the cook, ventured.

“I will do everything in my power to return them to health,” Damian promised. “Lady Elissa can verify that they have prospered under my care.”

All eyes turned to Elissa.

“He speaks the truth,” Elissa admitted with obvious reluctance.

Damian let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “You heard the lady. As Lord of Misterly, I vow to deal with you fairly and maintain peace for future generations.”

“For yer heirs, not ours,” Dermot grumbled.

“There will always be Frasers at Misterly,” Damian maintained. “I give you my word.”

“The word of an Englishman,” Elissa muttered beneath her breath. Fortunately, no one heard but Damian.

“What will become of our lass?” Lachlan demanded.

Damian had no ready reply, for he didn’t know the answer himself. He could only repeat, “I mean her no harm. She will work here among her kinsmen and serve me and my future bride.”

“Work!” Winifred huffed. “As a servant? ’Tisna right.”

“I will work,” Elissa said, sending Winifred a warning glance. “Haven’t I always pitched in where I was needed? ‘Twill be no different now.”

“Are ye sure, lass?” Dermot asked.

Elissa nodded slowly and Damian allowed himself to hope that harmony would be restored.

“Verra sure. Cooperate with Lord Damian until I find a way to return Misterly to the Frasers.”

Damian didn’t like the sound of that. What the devil did she mean?

Dermot’s shaggy brows arched upward, as if he understood perfectly what she had tried to convey. Then he winked at her. None of this was lost on Damian.

“Ye win, me lord,” Dermot allowed. “We will work with ye, but harm one hair on our lass’s head and ye’ll answer to us.”

“I dislike threats, Dermot,” Damian said, “but you force me to issue one of my own. Don’t even think about allying yourselves with rebels and their causes. I have men and arms to retaliate. Now back to your duties, all of you.”