Page 11 of Married for a Highland Debt
Kairstine took a seat on the floor, and Bettina took a deep breath. “The laird wants to marry me,” she said flatly, then waited a moment for the news to sink in.
“Thelaird?” Her father’s voice was high with astonishment. “Laird Ninian Ogilvy? But why would he chooseyou?”
“I have no idea, Da, but he did,” she replied sharply. “He can be very unpleasant, but I am told he is a good man underneath. At least, I hope so.”
“It would be the answer to all our problems,” Kairstine mused. “We would never have to worry about money again or a roof over our head.” Then she turned an anxious face to her sister. “But for you, Bettie? What would it mean for you? What if you are miserable?”
Bettina sighed. “I have no answer to that, Kairstine.” She shrugged. “But our debts must be paid.” She shot a poisonous glance at her father. “Or rather, his debts. I am going back to the castle now, and I would like you to come with me.”
“Me? Why?” Kairstine looked puzzled.
“Because I need your support,” Bettina answered. “If I do decide to marry him, I must make sure that there is a place for you. After all, you will be the sister-in-law of the laird.”
“I had not thought of that,” Kairstine murmured. “But what about Da?”
“There is always wood to be chopped,” Bettina replied dryly, giving him a venomous glance. “Pack your things, Kairstine. We are leaving.”
Ninian was practicing archery with a few of his most trusted guards when one of his guards approached him. “M’Laird, one o’ the kitchen maids, Bridie, wants tae see ye,” he reported, looking a little mystified.
Since he had given instructions that he should be told when she arrived, he was not surprised, but he was irritated. This time with his men was his favorite part of the day, the time when he could relax and enjoy the company of other men. It was not the time for polite and careful speech and good manners, and the rough, abrasive society of his fellows suited him, even more so because the delicate sensibilities of the fairer sex did not have to be considered.
“Tell her I am on my way,” he said crossly.
He wiped himself with a moist towel as he walked toward his study, but he was still damp and dirty when he entered to find Bettina and another woman standing waiting for him.
“Good day, Bettina,” he said politely, bowing to both of them. He raised his eyes and looked at the other woman questioningly. She bore such a resemblance to Bettina that he could only deduce that they were sisters.
“M’Laird, this is my sister, Kairstine,” she said.
“Pleased to meet you, M’Laird.” Kairstine smiled politely, but Ninian merely nodded at her.
“Do you have an answer for me?” he asked.
“First, I need to know if I can bring Kairstine with me,” Bettina said carefully. “We are each other’s only friend, and we are rarely apart.”
“I can work hard, M’Laird,” Kairstine said eagerly.
“I am sure you can,” he drawled, “but a sister-in-law of mine will not work in the castle like a common maid. If Bettina marries me, there will be a roof over your head, but if she leaves, then you leave. Do you understand?” His ice-blue eyes bored into Kairstine’s, and she nodded nervously.
“Yes, M’Laird. Thank you,” she murmured.
Despite himself, Ninian felt his heartbeat speeding up as he looked at Bettina’s beautiful silver-gray eyes gazing at him. He had resisted every other eligible young hopeful in the area, so why not her?
“I need to speak to your sister in private for a moment,” he told Kairstine. He rang a bell, and a maidservant appeared and was given orders to take Kairstine to a parlor and give her refreshments.
“Well?” Ninian asked. “What is your answer?”
“My answer is yes, M’Laird,” Bettina replied, looking at him steadily.
“Good.” He sat down behind his desk and began to write. “I had instructions given to make a room ready for you, and I will provide one for your sister. You may join her in the parlor.”
“Are you not sitting with us?” Bettina asked.
“I have work to do,” he replied, dropping his gaze to his papers. “You may join my aunt and me for dinner.”
“I see,” Bettina said thinly. “Thank you, M’Laird.”
Then she turned away, fizzing with anger inside. Not a smile, not a kiss, nothing! He was as cold as a fish just pulled from the sea, and she disliked him already. But she had given her answer, and she could not change her mind now.
