Page 32 of Married for a Highland Debt
Kairstine smiled mischievously. “But you have told me that he is not incapable of intercourse, Bettie, so why would anyone say that?”
“To ruin his reputation and undermine his position as the laird.” Bettina sighed angrily. “Why are people so cruel, Kairstine?”
Kairstine shrugged. “Some people are just made that way, Bettie.”
As Kairstine finished plaiting Bettinna’s hair, they heard the sound of a horse’s hooves drawing up to the house. Kairstine went to peek through the window, then gave a squeal of delight.
“Angus!” she cried, then ran to the front door and threw herself into the arms of the man who had just dismounted from his horse.
Angus spun her around, laughing, for a moment before setting her down on the ground and kissing her soundly. “Glad tae see me, hen?” he asked, smiling happily. He was not in uniform and was wearing the clothes of an ordinary working man—a tunic, hose, and a loose jacket, all very much the worse for wear.
“Very, very glad!” Kairstine pulled his head down and kissed him, pressing her body against his and grinding her hips against him until he had to push her away. “Katie!” he warned. “No’ here! I have told ye before there is a time an’ a place, an’ this is no’ it!”
Kairstine looked up into his fascinating brown eyes and sighed with frustration. “My sister is still here. Otherwise—”
He put a finger over her lips. “Lovie,” he whispered, “we are no’ married. We must be very careful no’ tae go too far. I want ye as much as ye want me, but it cannae be so. No’ yet.”
“Then when?” she murmured. “Angus, this is torture.”
“I want us tae be married, Katie, but I dinnae want ye tae be livin’ in a hovel.” He sighed. “I want tae give ye a good home, a place where we can bring up our bairns an’ no’ have tae worry that the roof will fall in after a storm. I havenae the means now. But I can save. We can dae it, but ye must be patient, hen.”
Kairstine nodded slowly and leaned her head against his chest. “How long?” she asked sadly.
“Two years or so,” he replied. “I am sorry, Katie.”
“But I cannot wait so long!” she protested.
He looked sad. “I am only a soldier, Katie. I earn a fair wage, but I am no’ a rich man.”
Kairstine felt a wash of shame and guilt pass over her. “Forgive me, Angus,” she begged, cupping his face in her hands. “I am so sorry. I know you work hard, while I am not paid at all, but when we are married, I will work my fingers to the bone for both of us!”
“I am no’ askin’ ye tae dae that, lass.” He laughed softly and gathered her into his arms. “Anyway, what is a lovely lady like yerself goin’ tae dae?”
“I used to take in washing,” she replied, holding her hands up. “I am quite good at sewing too.”
“But ye are a lady!” he protested.
“Who still has to eat,” she pointed out.
His dark eyes were sad as he thought of Kairstine bent over a burn banging dirty washing against stones to clean it. “Ye wilnae dae such things as my wife,” he said, shaking his head firmly. “I would forbid it, an’ so would the laird. Ye are his sister-in-law, after a’. A man should provide for his wife, an’ that is what I will dae.”
From inside the house, Bettie watched them and smiled. Angus was such a tall, handsome man who could have had just about any woman he wanted. However, he had eyes only for Kairstine, and his love for her was so transparently obvious that it almost shone out of him. Kairstine, for her part, looked as though she would happily leap into his arms and allow herself to be borne away to a faraway dreamland without a backward glance. They were made for each other.
She sighed, and smiled, then turned away from the window as her father came in. He had been helping to clean one of the patients in the hospital, and his apron was smeared with blood. He was losing weight, she noticed, and looked tired and dispirited. Working in the hospital had not been his idea but had been suggested by Ninian as a way to atone for his sins. William had not exactly leaped at the chance but had consented to do it because he was ashamed of the trouble he had caused his family. He was paid just enough to live on but not enough to gamble with.
“Come and sit down, Da,” Bettina invited him, pouring him some ale. “You look tired.”
“I am,” he replied wearily, passing his hands over his face. “This time two years ago, I had everything a man could ask for, Bettie, and I threw it all away. Now look at me. Look what I have been reduced to, and look what I have done to the family.”
“We will recover,” she consoled him, putting an arm around his shoulders and kissing his cheek. “Ninian will not let us starve.”
William sighed and drank his ale. He was drooping with fatigue, and she felt infinitely sorry for him, even though she knew he was right. It was all his fault, but she would not rub salt into the wound by making him feel worse.
“Has the debt collector been to see you again?” William asked.
“Yes,” she sighed. “But there is nothing I can do. I cannot ask Ninian for more money. He has given enough as it is, and his coffers are not bottomless, Da.”
“Kairstine tells me you get on with him very well now,” he remarked. “Are you in love with him?”
