“And yer household and tenants agreed?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “They had no choice. Not really. They’ve nowhere else to go, and I couldn’t begin to put everything back to rights. The fire was an added burden, and it was just too much.”
“Aye. I agree with ye, lass. ’Twas quite a burden yer da left you with.” After a minute or so, he said, “Why is it yer not married? Dinnae yer da make arrangements for a husband for ye?”
She stiffened and hoped Evan didn’t notice. “Nay. He never had time.”
“And no one ever caught yer eye?”
“Nay. Once Mum died I never had time for socializing.” She didn’t add that even if she’d had the time, there’d been no coin to buy her a new dress or even a hair ribbon. Every penny had gone into keeping food on the table.
Evan swung his leg back and forth as he studied her. “I give ye a lot of credit, lass. Ye did the best ye could with as little help as yer da offered. I ken how hard it is for a woman to do all that ye did and take care of yer wee brother as well.”
Gavin.
The final reason she’d decided to make the dangerous trip across the Lowlands to MacDuff at Fife, with no more than an old, faded piece of paper to claim the land. Yes, desperate measures to be sure.
“I sense in ye a strong nature, Mistress Stirling. If ye were able to keep yer da’s place running, despite all the problems ye dealt with, I am sure ye can do the job I’m offering ye.”
It had been her hope to claim ownership to benefit Gavin when he became a man. Rightfully, Stirling belonged to him, but she couldn’t imagine what shape it would be in by the time he grew to manhood. She had hoped to be able to turn this estate over to him and settle herself in a small house on the grounds—happy with spinsterhood.
Gavin could then marry and have children, making her the doting aunt. ’Twas a peaceful and contented life she’d planned for herself. Now she would merely be an employee, and there would be nothing for Gavin.
“I have one condition, laird.”
“What is that?”
“My brother would have inherited this place when he became a man. Now there will be nothing for him if I don’t continue with my claim.”
“’Twould not be a terrible thing for yer brother to make his own way in the world. Plenty of Scotsmen have moved to other places to start a new life. Times are changing, and yer brother might not even want to remain.”
She chewed on that for a while and realized ’twas much too far in the future to worry about. “Verra well. I accept yer offer.”
The laird actually seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Good. Now we must spend time going over the books and speaking with the household staff and tenants. See where we stand with all of this. I intend to leave within a fortnight to return to Argyll. The winter will be arriving soon, and I dinnae want to be on the road when it comes.”
“Will I receive a salary?”
“Of course. I will pay ye what I would pay any land steward I employ. Ye, in turn, will be responsible for seeing that the land prospers. If there are any problems ye cannot deal with, ye must contact me for guidance.”
“A salary is fine, but I need something for our future. I would like a percentage of the profit from the land.”
MacNeil’s brows rose. “Indeed? And ye think yer in a strong-enough position to ask for this?”
“Aye. I believe so. Ye said yerself ye didn’t want to spend much time in Fife. I am here and willing to take on the responsibility. I have experience and can start now. ’Twill save ye time to search for a land steward.”
“Ye are clever, I will give ye that, lass. Verra well. A percentage as well as a salary. We will settle on an amount before I leave.” Despite his words that she would need guidance, she was grateful to have someone to turn to in the event there was an issue she had difficulty with. “I agree. But I must warn you that I will not give up my quest to prove the land is mine.”
Evan groaned. “Just dinnae let that interfere with yer duties to me.” He glanced behind him at the window, where the rain continued to pour down. “I suggest we take time to visit with the household staff while we are stuck inside.” He nodded at the desk. “I’m sure ye will find something to write with in there.” He moved away from the desk. “After our interviews, we will go over the books.”
It appeared Laird Evan MacNeil of Argyll did not waste time. She scrambled from her seat and pulled open desk drawers until she had a pen, paper, and inkwell. “I assume we will summon the staff members here?”
“Aye.” He rounded the desk and settled in the large leather chair. He looked very much the laird. His bulk filled out the chair, but with muscle, certainly not corpulence. He shoved away the hair that had fallen on his forehead, only to have it settle there again. “Go fetch Mrs. Brody. We will begin with her.”
Well, then.
Laird MacNeil was taking control from the start. That was fine with her, for now. As soon as he did what he felt he needed to do, the sooner he would be gone from Fife and leave her in peace.
It didn’t take her long to locate the housekeeper, who was more than happy to answer the laird’s summons. She took one of the chairs facing the
