Kate Robbins - The Highland Chiefs Series Read Free Page B

as he leafed through a bound copy of the Gospels on James’s desk.
    “I never took you for devout,” the priest said and smiled.
    “It belonged to my mother.”
    “She could read?”
    “Aye, a little.”
    “Hmm. Lady Aileana as well, though more than a little. Her uncle devoted many hours to her education.”
    “To what end?” James asked.
    “A good question. He said he wanted her to always understand what occurred around her.” Father Addison replaced the wooden cover on top of the elegant scripture. He took a deep draught of the ale and leaned back with all the countenance of a man engaged in a most pleasant conversation.
    James shifted in his seat, trying to ignore his persistence. This was ridiculous.
    “Father—”
    “She doesn’t know about the arrangement.” The p riest’s expression turned grim.
    “How is that possible?” So much for knowing what happened around her. Perhaps the girl grew too headstrong for them. Though, that was unlikely considering she was just a waif. Yet, Chattan had claimed his greatest concern was her wellbeing, so why keep the arrangement from her? Whether she was strong or weak was irrelevant since her opinion was of no consequence in this matter.
    “Because the laird never got around to it.”
    “To telling her she’d be engaged in a month? Cruel.” So much for her wellbeing . “And to think, I agreed to this out of pity for the old man. Perhaps he had me fooled the whole time.”
    “No!” Addison slammed his goblet on the desk.
    James leaned forward. “I should not have to remind you, Father, whose company you keep. If there’s something else I need to know, be out with it and take your leave.”
    “I beg your pardon m’lord. I meant no offence. You see, the situation with Lady Aileana requires delicacy and swiftness.”
    James cocked his head to the side.
    “You imply the lass carries a bastard?” This was too much. How dare he beg on the part of the loose wench? No wonder Chattan wouldn’t give up until the contract was signed. Christ, the girl couldn’t have been more than sixteen summers at the time.
    “Father, I think it is time you leave here and beg for alms someplace else.” James stood and pointed toward the door. “You may inform Lady Aileana she is under no obligation from me.” Could it be this easy?
    Father Addison deflated and looked like he was about to weep.
    “Please m’lord, Lady Aileana is most chaste. She carries no bairn, yet her affliction has to do with another.”
    “Enough! I’ll hear no more. You may expect me later today to discuss the contract.” James strode toward the door and cast his eyes outward leaving no doubt in his meaning. Father Addison obliged and left the room, offering a curt nod as he passed.
    James returned to his writing table, pausing before moving to the shelf. He opened a wooden box lined with red velvet. Inside were papers his father had insisted must be kept separate from the account scrolls. One never knew when one might need things like land deeds and other written agreements in haste.
    Among the documents was a folded, wax-sealed letter. He flipped it over several times before securing it inside his jerkin.
    James returned to the writing table, downed the last of his ale, and slammed the goblet hard on the desk with a resounding thunk. He turned to stand at the open window resting his hands on the window ledge. The sky was a pale yellowish hue and the day would be bright, despite the gathering storm within.
    He stood motionless for a long time, scanning the activity three stories below. Men trained with wooden swords, a market offered wagons full of produce, and many of his tenants had already arrived to barter their wares. He had everything he needed; enough men to defend his territory, more resources than he could deplete in two lifetimes, and plenty of women to bed when and where he chose.
    His legacy to his clan would be ill served by adding a meager estate and a young, unsophisticated lass