Page 23 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
James smiled ruefully. “Ye think I should let this go?”
“Nae, I dinnae,” Harris said, all trace of humor fading. “The Banham family have lived there for nearly forty years. Two months is nothin’ and the lad’ll get back on his feet.”
“Keep an eye on it, will ye?”
“Always dae,” Harris replied, walking into the stall beside Kenzie’s and bringing out Islay, his own black mare, who he spoiled more than any man should.
“I dinnae ken ye were ridin’ with me?” James said, raising his eyebrows.
“And miss the stories from the contest? Ye must be a madman.”
James just shook his head. “It is nothin’ so very intriguing.”
“Och aye? Ye dinnae have some bonnie girl in yer rooms then, I must have been misinformed.”
“By whom, I wonder?” James asked, knowing full well that Harris had long desired Jean Foster, Maisie’s assigned maid. For such a handsome man, Harris had little confidence when it came to matters of the heart.
“Never ye mind, will ye tell me or nae?”
James sighed, scratching behind Kenzie’s ears.
“She’s a bonnie lass, very bonnie. Sharp wit. Sensible. Enough stubbornness to compete with a donkey, but she was dragged here against her will. Her faither wants her wed, and I need a wife. That’s all.”
Harris pulled himself into Islay’s saddle as James did the same. Together, they rode out of the stables.
“So, bed the girl and have done,” Harris said blithely and then recoiled at James’s sharp look, his expression turning sour.
“I didnae mean?—"
“I ken what ye meant. What all men mean. Dae ye think I dinnae ken what me faither’s wayward ways cost this clan? I shall never be like him.”
“I never would have implied—it’s nae the same. She’ll be yer wife!”
“I dinnae need a wife!” James bellowed, and Harris set his jaw, falling silent. “I hadnae even considered the MacAllister’s,” James confessed irritably. “The Banham’s lease was up yesterday. I should have been there this mornin’ at first light, reasonin’ with John, but instead, I’m… me head’s all over the place.”
“That’s what ye have me for.”
“I should be focused on me people.”
Harris’s expression soured, and he gripped the reins a little harder in his fists. “M’laird, ye cannae work yerself to death.”
“Me faither didnae work himself to death.”
“Nae, he just insisted thatyeshould while he went all over the clan beddin’ women as he pleased.”
James gave him a warning look. “I am happy with me people.”
“But they cannae care for ye, m’laird.”
“I dinnae need anyone to care for me, I need to dae me duty! The only thingwomenbring to yer life is trouble; I learned that long ago.” He kicked Kenzie hard in her flank, and the horse reared before she cantered away.
He was not surprised to find that Harris did not follow him.
He’s wrong. Me people are what matters and they’re me focus. I dinnae need anyone else, especially not Miss Maisie Brown!
CHAPTER 9
Maisie spentthe next days in turmoil.
