“Someone should be. Her husband died, serving the Ralston family. A new roof is the least of what she’s owed.”
“Would you like to explain how Jacob learned of the situation?”
“I mentioned it to him,” Sandy admitted. “He asked me why you and I were arguing, and I wasn’t about to lie.”
“You know,” Kit said, “I don’t have to employ you, and Jacob’s never even in England. If you antagonize me, you shouldn’t assume he’ll be around to protect you.”
“You and I should discuss my future with him then. I’ll track him down and schedule an appointment so we can debate the issue.”
Margaret was kicking herself for listening, but she was bristling with offense too. The men of Sandy’s family had managed the stables at Ralston Place for generations. She couldn’t imagine the estate without them, and Kit was an ass.
She marched over and strutted in. Kit was seated at the desk, leaned back in his chair, his feet up. He was drinking a glass of liquor, even though it was the middle of the afternoon. Sandy was standing across from him, visibly bored, as if this was simply another spat in a lengthy line of them.
“Hello, Margaret.” Kit exhibited no embarrassment. “Did you need something?”
“I have to borrow Sandy for a few minutes. May I?”
“Sandy is his own man.” Kit’s tone was very snide. “Far be it from me to tell him what he can and can’t do.”
She smiled at Sandy and said, “Can you help me?”
“I’m at your service,” Sandy responded.
He joined her, but she didn’t continue on immediately. She glared at Kit and said, “I’ve always thought you were an arrogant prig.”
“And I’ve always thought you were a frivolous ninny. Your tenure in Egypt didn’t seem to have mended that problem.”
She ignored the jibe. “As long as I’m alive, Sandy will have his job here. You shouldn’t ever think you could counter that decision.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He toasted her with his drink, and she was so irked by his insolent attitude that she nearly stormed over and smacked it out of his hand. She might have, but Sandy grabbed her elbow and dragged her away.
They hurried off, and they were silent as he guided her down the hall and up the stairs to an empty guest bedchamber. Once they shut the door, they giggled like naughty children.
“Ooh, I loathe him,” she said. “I loathed him when I was a girl and he used to pull my hair and tease me about my clothes, and I loathe him even more now that he’s an adult.”
“Thank you for acting as my champion, but your intervention probably made matters worse for me.”
“I don’t believe he likes you.”
“He never has. Even when we were youngsters, I was better at every endeavor. He’s the type who bears a grudge.”
“Is he always so awful to you?”
“I rarely see him, so our animosity doesn’t flare very often. He mostly revels in London, so he’s not ever home. For the moment, he’s stuck in the country because Jacob is on furlough. He’s trying to pretend he’s actually in charge.”
“The estate looks in fine shape to me, but then, I’m not much of a farmer.”
He chuckled. “No, you never were.”
“Your efforts keep things running smoothly, and everyone is aware of that fact. Except maybe my brother.”
Sandy was too polite to comment. His answer was a simple shrug. “I can’t gossip about him with you.”
“Why? Because I’m his sister?”
“Of course because you’re his sister, and Kit is like a member of your family. If a feud developed between us, it would put Jacob in a difficult position of having to take sides. I won’t force him into that sort of predicament.”
“What about Kit?”
“I’ll stay out of his way. That’s how I normally deal with him.”
He kissed her soundly, and when they drew apart, they both sighed with gladness.
“I’ve been so busy,” he said. “I haven’t seen you anywhere.”
“You haven’t panicked, have you? We’re still getting married?”
He didn’t jump to assure her, but said, “I’m inviting you to supper after all. I’d like you to spend a few hours with us, so you have a clearer idea of how small our life is. I’m terribly afraid—after you view it up close—you won’t like it.”
“You are such a nuisance. I’m going to be your wife. You can’t talk me out of it.”
“I’m concerned that you haven’t thought it through.”
She rolled her eyes with exasperation. “Would you stop worrying?”
“I will bite my tongue—for now.”
“I’d appreciate it, and I will absolutely come to supper. If I survive the experience, will you please speak to Jacob? I can’t keep this a secret much longer. I’m about to bust.”
He snorted with amusement. “Yes, if you survive supper, I will speak to Jacob. I promise, but have you pondered what we’ll do if he refuses?”
For an instant, her heart squeezed with alarm, but she shook off her fear. Jacob wanted her to be happy, and she would be so happy with Sandy, so she assumed it would be easy to garner his blessing. Yet she’d just quarreled with him over his budding affection for Miss James. They’d discussed how inappropriate it was for him to dally with a person who was so far beneath him in class and station.
Would he deem Margaret’s situation with Sandy to be the same?
Well, it wasn’t the same. Margaret was a widow who’d obeyed her family and married the man they’d picked for her. She’d done her duty, but that era was over, and she would make her own choice. Sandy wasn’t some stranger they barely knew. He was a valued employee, and she had always loved him.
Jacob wouldn’t disappoint her. She wouldn’t consider that he might.
“Jacob won’t refuse,” she staunchly insisted.
“From your lips to God’s ear. Now then, I can’t waste time with you. I have to return to work.”
“You’re so serious about your job.”
“And you have never had a job, so you can’t possibly comprehend
