“I wasn’t planning to protest your marriage.”
“Oh.” The comment dumped cold water on Sandy’s ire. “What were you about to say then?”
“I’ll start with this: I don’t accept your resignation.”
“I don’t care. I quit anyway. It’s a thankless proposition to toil away for you.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“This journey to Scotland clarified numerous issues for me,” Sandy said. “I exhaust myself, keeping the estate in fine shape. For you! But why must I strive so valiantly? I supervise the employees. I ensure the crops are planted and the orchards trimmed. I learn when a tenant’s widow needs her roof repaired, yet I have to grovel to Boswell every second. My patience for that type of nonsense has vanished.”
“I don’t pay you enough money.”
“I know you don’t,” Sandy raged, “and this will be a great surprise to you, but I constantly receive job offers.”
“I’m not surprised by it. Who wouldn’t like to hire you?”
“I’ve refused them because I told myself I should be faithful to you, but I’m tired of it. I will latch onto the next proposal that’s tossed at me. I’ll load up my wife and my sons and go to a spot where my contributions are valued.”
The Captain actually laughed in his face. “Are you finished? You won’t let me get a word in edgewise.”
“Well, I predict you won’t tell me anything worth hearing, so why listen?”
“How about this? I’m glad you’re my brother-in-law.”
“What?” The man might have spoken in a language Sandy didn’t comprehend.
“I fumed all the way here, and after many miles had passed, I couldn’t figure out why I was so incensed.”
“It’s probably because you’re a Ralston and you people simply strut and preen.”
“It’s pretty much the truth. I’ve always felt guilty that I didn’t stop my mother from marrying Margaret to Mr. Howell. I didn’t help her when I should have, and she suffered because of it.”
“I won’t argue the point.”
The Captain extended his hand, as if they should shake and become friends. “Congratulations. I’m delighted for you, but remember this: If you ever hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
Sandy scoffed. “I’d cut off my right arm before I’d hurt her. I’ve loved her my whole life, and I always will.”
An awkward silence festered, with the Captain’s hand still extended, and Sandy never liked to be an ass. He clasped hold, gave it a firm shake, then pulled away.
“Would you do something for me?” the Captain asked.
“That depends on what it is.”
“Take Margaret on a honeymoon. She deserves one.”
“I don’t have time to waste. I have to hurry home and find a new job.”
The Captain tsked with exasperation. “Wasn’t I clear? You’re not quitting. I won’t permit it. Margaret said you’re heading to England, but why don’t you head to Edinburgh instead? You can be lazy; you can sightsee and enjoy yourselves. The boys can ride south with me, so you and Margaret can be alone for a week or two. You’d trust me with them, I hope.”
How was Sandy to answer that question? “I guess I’d trust them with you.”
“It can’t be overly romantic to have them watching your every move with your bride.”
“Our escapade has been a family affair. My sons like her but, because she’s a Ralston from the manor, they study her as if she was hatched from an egg. They have to get used to having her around.”
“They can get used to her when you’re back.” The Captain patted him on the shoulder. “I hate that I forced you and Margaret to run away, and I’d like you to start off on a better footing with her. I want her to have a real honeymoon.”
Sandy blew out an irked breath. “I suppose she and I can travel to Edinburgh.”
“I made her promise too that we’ll have a second ceremony when you’re home. We’ll have it in the church and invite the neighbors.”
Sandy frowned, as if he hadn’t heard correctly. “You’d do that for her?”
“I’d do it for both of you.” The Captain’s cheeks reddened, as if with chagrin. “Don’t bite my head off, but I have to ask this: Have you the funds to spend two weeks in Edinburgh? Might I slip you some? It could be a wedding gift.”
Sandy smirked. “Yes, I have money for a trip. I’m not a pauper. My employer is a miser with the wages he pays, but I’m adept at saving my meager pennies.”
The sly insult drew another laugh. “You’re my sister’s husband, so I imagine I’ll have to give you a raise. If I don’t, she’ll nag me to death. You’re welcome to reside in the manor too, if you’d like. You can have a suite of rooms in the west wing.”
“I’d rather we stay in our own house. We’ll settle in quicker.”
“I understand, and you have to call me Jacob.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“And we’ll be implementing some changes.”
“What kind of changes?”
“Kit has received all the favors I owe him. He has to search for a different job somewhere else—so you can have his. You’re doing his anyway. You should have the income and the title.”
Sandy snorted with disgust. “I won’t offer an opinion about it. It would stir a pot of controversy, and you’d have Boswell as your enemy. He’s a vindictive oaf, so that could never be a wise idea.”
“Don’t worry about him. I know how to handle Kit. We’ll worry about you and me and how we go forward from this point on.”
“I’m willing to let you worm your way into my good graces.”
“Maybe we both have to behave better,” the Captain said.
“If we quarrel, it will distress Margaret, and I don’t intend to ever distress her.”
“Exactly so, Geoffrey Sanders. Exactly so.”
Howard Periwinkle was rolling down the road in a posh carriage. He was on a mission to speak with Joanna
