Page 45 of Falling for Her Highland Steward
“They are the measure of wealth in a way,” he observed, his eyes meeting hers directly. He frowned, then put his glass on the table and leaned forward. “Erin, enough of all this small talk. I have waited for the mourning period to end, then I have waited longer. Weeks longer. Please tell me if you want to marry me or not so that I can move on with my life.”
Erin took a deep breath. “I will marry you, Logan,” she replied. As soon as she said the words, she wished she could unsay them, but she could not. She had to marry him. She had no choice, even if all her thoughts were flying to Caillen as she listened to his reply.
“Thank you!” Logan sounded heartfelt. “Thank you, Erin. That means everything to me, and I swear that I will do my utmost to make you the happiest woman in the world!” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with great gentleness, pulling her against him. It was sweet, but Erin did not experience the same flood of desire that had overwhelmed her when she kissed Caillen.
“I brought you this.” He took from his pocket a velvet-covered box and held it up to her. Inside rested a golden ring with an enormous emerald and two smaller diamonds on it. “Your betrothal ring. I wanted you to have emeralds because they match your eyes.”
“Thank you.” Despite her reservations about the marriage, Erin was enchanted by the lovely object. “It is a charming thought and a beautiful ring.” She allowed Logan to slip it on her finger, but it was so loose that it almost slipped off again.
“Grrr…” Logan growled. “I am sorry, Erin. I had to guess the size.”
“No matter; we can have it fixed. Come, let us have supper.” Erin stood up to lead him into the dining room and was surprised when Logan grasped her hand firmly and possessively. The gesture alarmed her a little since the last thing she wanted was an overbearing husband.
The meal was enjoyable, and Logan was a fine conversationalist with good general knowledge and a quick wit, but Erin had to repel several of his unwanted advances. When she complained, he looked hurt.
“Erin, we are betrothed,” he protested. “Certain liberties are allowed between engaged couples, surely?”
“It depends on the couple, Logan,” Erin replied firmly. “And the lady in this betrothed couple is saying no. If you do not like it, I suggest you find yourself another bride.”
Logan stared at her for a moment, astonished at what she had just said, then he nodded slowly. “I am sorry to have offended you, Erin. I always seem to be offending you.”
Erin heard his chastened tone and chided herself for being so unpleasant. “Perhaps I was a little harsh, Logan.” She smiled at him. “We are still becoming acquainted, and I am sure you know that in betrothals and marriages, there are always disagreements.”
“Indeed.” He held up his glass and toasted her, laughing. “Our life is never going to be tedious!”
Caillen had seen the laird’s carriage arriving just as he came home from the blacksmith in the village, where he had been assisting in the mending of a plow. Despite the fact that he had had a thorough wash with water that had been especially heated for him, he felt filthy and wanted nothing more than the hottest bath he could find. However, when he saw the laird alighting from his carriage, all other thoughts disappeared. Since Erin’s mourning period had ended, there could only be one reason why he was here. He felt a hollow dread in the pit of his stomach, and for the first time ever, he sent away his evening meal untasted.
Effie Brown, the maid who usually dealt with his meals, took his plate back to the kitchen that night, still heaped with meat and vegetables.
“Here, hen, look at this!” She held out the plate, looking astonished. “Dae ye think big Cal is sick?”
Mamie Bryce took the food from her and began to divide it into smaller portions for them to eat later. “Aye—lovesick.”
“What dae ye mean?” Effie asked curiously.
“Ach, it’s as plain as the nose on yer face that he’s carryin’ a torch for milady,” she answered. “He has been since the first minute he saw her. If she marries Laird Grieve, he will be heartbroken, an’ I am willin’ tae bet he will no’ stay here tae see them wed.”
“Maybe ye’re right,” Effie sighed. “Pity. I would have liked tae see milady an’ Cal livin’ happily together.”
“Aye, they would be a fine couple,” Mamie said sadly. “But there’s nothin’ we can dae about it.”
“I thought so,” Caillen said heavily as he sat facing Erin the moment after she had given him the news. “He is a better man than I thought he was at first, by all accounts. I hope he makes you happy.”
“I am sure he will.” The comment sounded inane to her ears. She started to make polite small talk to cover up what would have been an awkward silence. “What do you plan to do today?”
“I will finish the monthly accounts,” he answered. “And I am giving you my notice that I am leaving your employment as soon as you find a replacement.”
Erin stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. “You cannot do that!”
“Why not?” he asked, shrugging. “I am sure you can find someone else just as capable as I am, if not more so.”
“But why? What reason do you have for leaving us?” Erin demanded. “The tenants love you, and you help everyone. The estate has improved out of all recognition since you came here. Why do you have to go? We need you.”I need you.
“No, you do not,” Caillen replied, shaking his head. “You employed me as your estate manager, Erin, but I know, and you know too, that we have a relationship that is not merely professional, and I do not want to interfere in your marriage.”
Erin rose and walked to the window, as was her usual habit when something was worrying her. “I will never get another steward as good as you,” she observed.
Stephen heard the news of Caillen’s impending departure from Erin over breakfast the next morning.
