Page 66 of Seduced By the Reckless Highlanders
“No, Da. There is no one,” she said at last. “Perhaps my standards are too high, or perhaps I scare them away.”
The laird laughed. “If that is the case, they are not worthy of you because you are a fine young woman.”
“I think you are perhaps slightly biased, Da.” Janice drained the last of her wine and made to stand up, but the laird caught her arm and bade her sit down again. She obeyed but looked at him, puzzled.
“I need your advice, which is why I called you here today,” he told her. “I am going to employ a steward to work with your brothers. I don’t think the estate can survive otherwise.”
Janice was horrified. “Da! You do not need to do that.” She jumped up and paced across his study before turning to face him. “You know that I have been acting as your steward for years. Use me. I am experienced, I love doing the work, and most of all, I love the estate. It is my home and always has been. It is so special to me, and it would never mean the same to a stranger.”
The laird looked indecisive. “But what about a husband? Children?” he asked. “Surely you are not going to deny yourself all of those?”
“Da, if I ever do marry, which I think is very unlikely, it will have to be to a fair-minded man who understands the situation. If I do not find one then I will still have a roof over my head and enough to eat, clothes on my back, and people to look after me. I will want for nothing.”
Laird Stewart sat back in his chair and regarded his daughter shrewdly. “You know that this would be a purely unofficial position and that whoever wins the lairdship will receive all the credit for it? You will be doing all the work for no recognition.”
“So?” Janice shrugged. “Those who matter to me will know, and I don’t care about anyone else. My life will go on, Da, just as it always has, and so will the castle and the estate.”
“I have always been here, though,” the laird pointed out. “I have done the bulk of the work, and you have done the rest. You will be doing this all on your own now. Will this not be too much of a burden?”
“If it is then I will ask the official laird to employ someone.” She shrugged. “I am young, Da. I still have health and energy. Let me do this, please.”
The laird frowned. “Let me think about it,” he said, then brightened up. “You really must change that dress, Janice. It looks as though you have rolled over in a bog.”
She giggled. “I am going to bathe before I see anyone. Please consider what I suggested, Da.” She kissed his cheek and then left, leaving him to ponder.
Janice was in such a hurry to reach her bedchamber before being intercepted by one of her guests that she forgot to look where she was going and bumped into the same solid chest she had encountered the night before.
Bernard laughed as he steadied her, and as he looked down into her startled grey eyes, he said, “We really must stop meeting like this, mistress.”
For a moment, Janice was mesmerized. She was so close to his face that she could have counted every bristle on his cheeks and chin and smelled the peculiar musk of his body. He had grasped her arms to steady her, and she almost felt sorry when he relaxed his grip and let her go.
“Forgive me,” she said breathlessly. “This is the second time I have collided with you.”
“I am not injured,” he assured her, his lips twitching into a smile. “But I am so glad I bumped into you.” They both smiled at his pun. “I would like to explore the countryside around here a little more, and I need someone to guide me. Could you spare one of your guards to ride with me?”
Janice shook her head regretfully. “I am afraid not. All our men are working extra time as it is. As you can imagine, there is much to be done while the castle is as full as it is at the moment. I am afraid I cannot spare anyone. I can tell you which places you should stay well clear of, though.”
“Bandits?” he asked anxiously.
“Oh, no,” Janice shook her head vehemently. “My father took care of that problem a long time ago. We used to have a gang of the worst kind of thug who preyed on the poor people around here, but my father infiltrated their gang and destroyed it from the inside. His reputation has spread, and we have had no trouble for years.
“No, the places I was speaking of are the marshlands that are close to the Bonnie Loch. They are treacherous, and thereare patches of quicksand there.” She thought for a moment. “Perhaps I should be your guide. I would welcome the chance to escape from this place for a while.”
Bernard looked at the weary expression on her face. “Are you not enjoying the gathering?”
“Not one whit!” she answered angrily, then, realizing her rudeness, she sighed and said, “I am sorry, but this whole week has been such a strain. It will be good to be in the open air and sunshine.”
“Then I look forward to it, mistress,” he replied, bowing. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to meet your brothers for boxing practice.”
Janice rolled her eyes heavenward. “I will make sure there is a full bottle of whisky in your room for your return,” she said, laughing. “You will have great need of it. Good luck!”
CHAPTER 10
The mists were just beginning to lift as Janice and Bernard mounted their horses and set off toward the loch in the middle of the estate.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“It is called the Bonnie Loch,” she told him, smiling.
