Page 15 of Married for a Highland Debt
Bettina shrugged. “I have committed myself, Lizzie,” she replied. “There is no turning back. But I will come down to see you as often as I can.”
“Make sure ye do!” Moira called as she left.
Everyone in Ninian’s family was attractive, Bettina noticed, even the much-maligned Uncle Kevin Ogilvy, but as soon as she met him, she could see what the ladies in the kitchen had against him. He had the same corn-colored hair as Ninian, but his eyes were deep gray. When he stood up to greet her, Bettina could see that he was a slightly shorter, thinner, and older version of Ninian but just a little too handsome for his own good.
Alison came forward to take Bettina’s hands, smiling at her widely. Since the day they had first met, they had been friends, and now Bettina was very glad of her presence because Kevin Ogilvy’s presence was sending a frisson of unease all over her.
“Ah, Bettie,” Alison said warmly as she came forward to take her and give her a brief hug. “Let me introduce you to my brother Kevin Ogilvy, Ninian’s uncle. Kevin, this is Bettina Hamilton, Ninian’s betrothed. Is she not lovely?”
Kevin gave her a wide smile, showing a row of gleaming white teeth. “Indeed she is. A pleasure to meet you,” he said cordially. “May I call you Bettina?”
“Everyone calls me Bettie,” she replied. “May I call you Kevin?”
“Of course,” he replied. His glance ran from the top of her head to her toes, inspecting every inch of her and making her feel dirty. He patted the space beside him on the couch. “Come and sit by me and tell me about yourself, Bettie. Ninian is expecting great things from you, I believe.”
“Is he?” Bettina laughed nervously. “Then I hope I do not disappoint him.” She sat down, trying to stay as far away from him as she possibly could, but he inched toward her so that their thighs were pressed together, and when she turned her head to hear him speak, their faces were embarrassingly close.
“I hear that your father is a merchant,” Kevin said inquiringly, raising his eyebrows. “I am too. I sell leather and animal hides, as well as shoes and leather goods. I am a self-made man; I started with nothing but the few pounds my father lent me, and now I have a small empire.” He sounded very smug.
What a pompous idiot!Bettina thought. Aloud, she said: “Very impressive indeed. Would you like some wine?” She did not wait for an answer but stood up to fetch a decanter of wine and poured each of them a glass, but when she sat down again, she made sure that she took a place beside Alison, who gave her a conspiratorial smile.
“What is your father’s name?” Kevin went on, smiling at Bettina rather coldly. He was very aware that he had just been subtly snubbed and was unaccustomed to such treatment, especially from a woman.
“William Hamilton,” Bettina replied, cringing inwardly.
“I have heard of him.” Kevin gave her a warm, open smile, but Bettina could see the malice behind it. “My friend Campbell McDade told me about him.”
At that point, Bettina could have risen to the bait and asked what McDade had said, but she kept her head and said nothing, merely sat and calmly sipped her wine.
Alison, sensing the tension in the room, was about to intervene, but Kevin went on. “He had some very good things to say about your family,” he said, smiling benevolently at Bettina. “He said you were both lovely girls, and you had a beautiful home, even though you had very little furniture in it.” He laughed, and Bettina had to trample the urge to throw her wine over him. “Of course, that was just his little joke. He is a very funny man. I believe he owns that house now? Of course, if you marry my nephew, you can buy it back.”
Bettina nodded slowly, this time unable to hide her anger and contempt as she glared at him. She was about to answer with a stinging retort, but she did not have the chance.
“He does not own that house,” came Ninian’s deep voice from the door. “I do. I have bought it from him to use as an infirmary for the sick of the village.”
For a moment, Kevin was utterly nonplussed, and so was Bettina, but Kevin was unable to think of a single thing to say. “Then out of evil came good,” he gushed at last, smiling at Bettina. “Your father’s debts are the reason the poor and sick are going to be cared for. Well done, Ninian. Now, I must go. I have a meeting with some of my suppliers. Bettina, it was good to meet you.” He said nothing more, but he had no need to. The scathing glance he bestowed on her said everything.
Bettina turned to Ninian. “Thank you,” she said gratefully. “I am so glad that our house will be used for something worthwhile.”
Ninian shrugged. “It had to be done, and I have arranged accommodation for your father.”
Bettina looked around and realized that they were alone in the room, Alison having left to accompany Kevin. “May I speak to you about what happened earlier?” she asked. “I need to know what you expect of me. Your uncle seems to think that all I want is your wealth. I assure you that is not true.”
“No. I know that,” he agreed. “What I want from our marriage is an heir, or preferably several. I must carry on my line. This is not a marriage of love, but I am sure you knew that already. When I look at you, I see a woman of strength of character, intelligence, and confidence, and these are all qualities I would like to pass on to my children.”
“Ourchildren,” she interjected.
“Of course,” he concurred. “Kevin is next in line, and he has a son by his late wife, so he already has an heir, but I would hate to see my castle passing to him. However, although I do not want us to be hostile to each other, I have no wish to be your friend either. This is a big building, and you may have your own suite of rooms. I will send for you whenever I wish you to come to my bed. There is, however, one stipulation. Neither of us will take lovers for fear of conceiving an illegitimate child. Our line must be pure. Do you understand?”
“Of course I do!” she snapped. “I am not an idiot! Neither am I the kind of woman who will be unfaithful. I will take my wedding vows seriously.” Her tone was angry, but Ninian ignored it.
“Good,” he replied. “I am having your rooms made ready as we speak. The wedding will take place on the Sunday after next. I have instructed a seamstress to come and see you about making your dress, so make sure that you are available for fittings.”
“Thank you,” she said coldly. “And thank you for buying our house, M’Laird, and for taking care of my father. I am glad it is being used for a good purpose.” She gave him a brief curtsy, then left. She was seething with rage but glad of one thing. They needed only to be together for the time it took to conceive a child. The rest of the time, she could avoid him.
8
Bettina spent the night before the wedding, the last day she would live as a single woman, with Kairstine. They had been accustomed to sleeping together in a big bed at home, and it had seemed strange to them at first to have separate bedrooms. However, now that they knew they would not be together for much longer, they had decided to sleep in one bed as had been their custom, mainly to soothe Bettina’s fears since she was as terrified as a mouse in the jaws of a cat.
