Jaimie’s eyes gleamed. “I’ve thought of you so often over the years. I have to admit I was jealous and maybe even resentful. You were out there, living life, and I was here while Father and Elspeth—” He sighed.
“Your father is a bossy soul. But Elspeth? You used to call her your fair flower.”
“She was. But after we married . . . I don’t know. Things changed. She was happy enough at first, but then Father came back and began to take things—”
“Hold. What do you mean he began to ‘take things’?”
Jaimie’s scowl returned. “He wished all of the revenues from the licensing from the estates.”
“But . . . that’s the main revenue!”
“I know.”
“You gave it to him?”
Jaimie’s face darkened. “I didn’t have a choice. I’d already made such a mull of things and I-I needed him to help. There were so many decisions and no one was nearby to help and—” He shook his head. “My father was the only person who could help, so I let him do so. And in return, he took the licenses.”
“But how can you make repairs on the roads or buy new grains for planting or build houses for your tenants?”
“I know that now, but at the time it seemed a fair trade. Later on, when I realized what I’d done and how Barra was harmed, I demanded he return them, but it was too late. I argued at first, but he threatened . . .” He sent her a glance, and then shrugged. “But he was right; I was so overwhelmed with the responsibility. It really was best for everyone concerned.”
Jane rubbed her forehead. “It seems I underestimated my dear uncle.”
“He’s dear only to himself,” Jaimie said sharply. “I hate him. When Elspeth saw how Father treats me, she began to do the same, always mocking me and refusing to do as I ask. He’s made it worse. I once refused to sign something over to him, a lien of some sort, and he threatened to tell her that I’d only married her for the fine bloodlines she brought to our family.”
“You love her. Any fool could see that.”
“Not Elspeth. She believes everything Father says. If he told her that, she’d never question it.”
“Surely she’s noticed how unethical he is.”
“He’s been very careful to cultivate her, complimenting her while blaming me for the failures of our stay on Barra. She thinks it’s because of me that the people here haven’t warmed to her.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Yes. She’s decided that her husband is not the man she thought him. Now she can barely stand to be in the same room with me, while I—” His voice broke.
Jane’s eyes burned with sympathy. “While you love her still,” she said softly. So her uncle had used her cousin’s love for his wife to hold them all under his spell. She couldn’t wait to give him a piece of her mind.
Jane looked at the papers on the desk. “What’s left under your care?”
“This house and the lands from it to the shore.”
“And?”
Jaimie shrugged sadly.
Jane leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the damask arm. “So your father has been siphoning off Barra’s funds and has Elspeth dancing to his tune. We can’t stand for this. Things must change, and soon. We’ll just have to find a way to do it. A way to disengage your father from Barra.”
Jaimie’s expression turned hopeful. “We? You’re going to help?”
“Of course I am. I’m not the sort of woman to—”
Jaimie jumped to his feet, scooped her out of her chair, and gave her a tremendous hug. “Och, you wee girl! I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been alone with this for so long.”
Jane, glad her glass was empty, chuckled and returned the hug. “Yes, well, I’m certain we’ll find a way out of this mess, though it will mean we must face your father.”
Jaimie set Jane back on the floor and regarded her with a less glowing expression as she straightened her spectacles. “That could be difficult. Father’s worse than ever.”
“Fortunately for us all, so am I. I’m older now and wiser and I have much more experience in dealing with difficult people.” She smiled at her cousin. “Are you familiar with Michael Hurst?”
“The explorer who writes the serial in The Morning Post? I read it every chance I get.”
“He’s my employer now. Once I ran out of funds, I became his assistant. I’ve been working for him for the last four years. It’s been remarkable, though he’s not the easiest man to deal with.”
Jaimie looked deeply envious. “You’ll have to tell me your tales.”
“I’ve hundreds.” She chuckled. “Still, while I’ve loved my adventures, it would be wrong to say that I didn’t miss Barra, for I have.” She looked around the study. “It’s nice to be home, at least for a while.”
“You’re welcome to stay here, if you wish.”
“I don’t believe Elspeth would like that. She was always a bit territorial.”
Jaimie’s jaw tightened. “Jennet MacNeil, for so long as you live, you’ll always have a bed within the walls of my house.”
“Thank you, Jaimie. That’s very kind of you.” Jane glanced about the room at the furniture that held so many memories. The two wide oak tables that flanked one of the windows used to stand in her dressing room in Kisimul. The low chairs by the fireplace had come straight from her father’s study, as had his desk. She looked at the desk now and could imagine her father sitting there. Tears threatened. “I miss him, you know. Even now.”
“Och, I’m sorry.” Jaimie slipped an arm about her and gave her a swift hug. “He thought the world of you—”
“Jaimie!” came a sharp feminine voice.
Jane and Jaimie sprang apart. Despite the fact that she had no reason to feel guilty, Jane knew her hot face was as red as Jaimie’s as they both faced Elspeth, who stood just inside the open door.
Jaimie gulped. “Elspeth, my dear, I was just talking to—” He gestured weakly toward Jane.
Elspeth, who’d looked furious when Jane had first turned around, now appeared shocked. “Jennet?”
Elspeth had changed over the years. She was no longer the slender, svelte, lithe girl Jane had met once at a clan gathering. Bearing four children and then being locked away on Barra with its cold winters had left Elspeth well rounded. Jane glanced at Jaimie and saw her cousin staring at his wife as if she were still as beautiful as a nymph.
A pang of envy filled Jane’s heart, though she hid it as she dipped a curtsy. “Elspeth. How do you do, cousin?”
Elspeth’s startling blue eyes narrowed. “If you’ve come to reclaim Barra, whatever my lump of a husband may say, we’ll not tamely give it up.”
“Elspeth,” Jaimie said sharply, “there’s no need to—”
“There’s every need,” she spat. “You can’t even run the estate the way it should be so that your poor father has to step in all of the time, and now I find you embracing this—this—”
“Oh, no!” Jane inserted hurriedly. “You mistake what you saw. Jaimie was merely expressing his sympathy.”
Elspeth didn’t appear convinced, though she addressed her husband and not Jane. “It was improper of you to embrace Lady Jennet so.”
Seeing Jaimie’s miserable expression, Jane continued, “As for my wanting to return to my place on Barra, I left the lairdship to Jaimie and I’ve no wish for that to change. Not now and not ever.”
Elspeth’s plump mouth folded with suspicion. “Oh?”
“Aye. I only came to Barra because my employer, Michael Hurst, is on a quest that brought him here. We’ve come to see the drawings in the caves beyond the cliffs and to look for an ancient artifact that might be hidden somewhere nearby.”
“Really?” Jaimie said, interest in his voice. “The same caves we used to play in as children?”
“Yes, though we were fools to do so; they’re dangerous. We tried to climb down the path today and the rain caught us.” She shook her head. “It was terrifying.”
“Aye. I don’t
allow the children to go there. Youth is foolishness. Still—” Jaimie’s eyes twinkled. “We had fun.”
Jane had to smile at the mischief in his face. “When we weren’t getting scraped and scratch—”
“Stop it, both of you,” Elspeth hissed. “Perchance you can explain why I found you in an embrace. Or do I, as a wife, have no right to ask?”
Jaimie hurried to Elspeth’s side. “I merely gave her a hug good-bye, for she grew sad thinking of her father. Much of the furniture here is from his study, you know.” He placed a hand on his wife’s arm. “The old laird—”
“I know all about the old laird.” Elspeth shot a sullen glance at Jane and said in a grudging tone, “I suppose that would make you upset.”
“I’ve had several days of being upset. I didn’t realize the castle had burned until our ship sailed past it.”
“Aye,” Elspeth said, “’twas necessary to cover your disappearance. You left us in a horrible state.”
“Now that I’ve returned, I’ll do what I can to repair that harm.”
“The best thing you can do is leave before anyone knows you’re here.” She turned to Jaimie. “’Tis late. The children wish to say good night to their father.”
Jane sent Jaimie a quick glance. “I’ll come back in a day or so and we’ll discuss things,” she said.
“‘Things’?” Elspeth’s gaze shuttled from one to the other, suspicion bright. “What ‘things’?”
“My dear, there’s no need for you to worry—” Jaimie began.
Jane interrupted, “I’m going to go through the revenues of the island and see what’s happened to the funding.”
Jaimie blinked. “Will that help?”
“Perhaps. I grew up monitoring the revenues and expenses and began recording them when I was ten. Why do you think so many of the records are in my hand?” She turned to Elspeth. “I was raised to run this estate; Jaimie was not. He’s doing the best he can.” She met Elspeth’s gaze directly. “I’ve no wish to return to my old life, but Kisimul and Barra deserve peace. They were left in the care of the MacNeils and ’tis only to a MacNeil I’d leave her. Jaimie’s my cousin and he’s the only person worthy of sitting at my father’s desk. I do this for him, and not for my own gain.”
Elspeth’s mouth thinned. “As I said, the only good you can do for us now is to leave before anyone knows you’re here.”
“I’ve no intention of staying a second longer than necessary.” She forced a smile and turned to Jaimie. “Speaking of which, I’d better get back to the inn before it gets much later.”
“I’ll escort you to the door,” Jaimie mumbled, looking unhappy.
Jane allowed him to do so, though she paused on the portico. “Gather the estate records. I’ll come back and we’ll see what’s been happening to Barra.”
Jaimie nodded, though he looked far from happy.
Without another glance back, Jane walked away toward the hillock where Ammon waited with the horses.
CHAPTER 13
From the diary of Michael Hurst:
My visit to Lady MacDonald did not prove as fortuitous as I’d hoped. She’d not only been forewarned by Jane, but the lady also seemed to have her own secrets, all of which were closely guarded. At one point I noted a handsome malacca cane in a stand near the front door, and she practically threw herself between the cane and me and changed the subject in a very heavy-handed manner. As if I cared whether or not she has suitors; I merely wished to know of her childhood in order to find out about Jane’s. The entire process was tedious and yielded nothing of value.
It didn’t help matters that as soon as I seated myself in her sitting room that I began to sneeze.
I fear I’ve caught a cold or worse. But that’s not the worst of my misfortune; when I returned to the inn, Jane was nowhere to be found. I’m off to look for her now, and if I do not find her soon, then woe betide that blasted woman.
Jane led the way home. It was dark out, but when the clouds broke here and there, the moonlight was bright enough that they kept to the road with little problem.
It was drizzling by the time she and Ammon rode their horses into the stables and dismounted there. Jane noted that Michael’s horse was already brushed and put away for the night.
Ammon took the reins from her hand. “I will take care of the horses, miss.”
“I can at least brush him—”
Ammon shook his head. “Go. It is late. Mr. Hurst will be worried.”
“Mr. Hurst will not be worried. He’ll be irritated that I left without leaving him word of my destination.”
Ammon’s dark eyes met her own. “Was our destination a secret?”
“It could be.” She looked up at the servant. “You don’t remember exactly where we went, do you?” she asked hopefully.
“I remember everything, miss.”
“Oh.” She sighed. “If Hurst asks, then you must do as you see fit. I’ll probably tell him anyway. He’s bound to find out. The isle is so small that if someone on the east side were to drop a pin, it would wake someone on the west.”
Ammon smiled. “Yes, miss.”
“Thank you for your assistance. You’ve been quite helpful.” She yawned and realized that she was wet and weary and all she wanted was to fall into her own bed. “Have a nice evening.”
The servant inclined his head and took the horses to the back of the stables, where he began to unsaddle them.
Jane left, her boots clipping on the cobblestones. She opened the inn door, the hinges creaking horribly as she pushed it closed behind her. She undid her cloak and looked around the common room, where the fire had burned so low that only a sole lamp offered any light.
Michael was nowhere in sight. She’d thought for certain he’d be there, ready to demand where she’d been, but apparently he’d already gone to bed. She didn’t blame him. It had been a long, long day.
She hung her wet cloak on a peg, where it hung heavily. Her spectacles were beaded over with moisture. She tried to wipe them, but her clothing was damp as well and did little more than smear the lenses. Grimacing, she tucked them into her pocket and then wearily made her way up the stairs. It would take some time to get ready for bed, for she’d have to spread her clothing before the fire to dry.
She reached the landing and went to Michael’s room instead of her own, pressing her ear to the door. She could hear nothing but her own breathing. She sighed and went to her bedchamber, closing the door behind her.
The only light came from the fire someone—probably Mr. Macpherson—had built. She thought about lighting a lamp but decided she was too tired. She’d just peel off her clothes and climb into bed. She removed her spectacles from her pocket and placed them on the table by the bed so she could find them first thing in the morning.
The curtain was open and allowed a sliver of moonlight to slice across the bed. She stepped into the pool of light and untied her gown and dropped it to the floor. As she did so, the events of the day seemed to weigh her down.
Poor Jaimie. He was still so in love with Elspeth. In a way, he was enslaved by that love, making sacrifices to keep it while those same sacrifices destroyed Elspeth’s respect. “What a coil,” Jane muttered.
The worst part of all was the realization that her uncle was up to his old tricks, and it seemed as if no one had said nay to the man in years. That was bad, for not only had it allowed him to ravage the castle lands of their value, but she had little doubt that he’d also turned into an even larger power-mongering fool than he’d been before.
Fortunately, now she was older than a mere sixteen years of age and, unlike Jaimie, she had no fear of his tricks. But that was for another day.
She hung her wet gown on a peg and undid her chemise, letting it fall to her ankles, the cool evening air making her bare nipples peak. She shivered, hung the chemise beside her gown, and quickly climbed into bed.
As she settled the counterpane, she saw the boot. It sat before the chair that was angled by the fire. It was
a man’s boot, one she was very familiar with, for she’d moved those boots countless times. It wasn’t so much the boot that made her heart thud sickly, but the fact that the only way it could appear as it did, tilted on its heel and leaning back, was if Michael’s foot was still in it.
She clutched the sheets before her. “Michael?”
The boot shifted slightly. “Who else?”
His voice, low and smoky, made her skin prickle as if a feather had wafted over it. For the love of Ra, he was here while I undressed. “I didn’t see you there.”
“Apparently not.” The boot disappeared as he pulled his feet under him to stand. The old chair creaked noisily.
She swallowed once. “You should have told me you were there.”
“And miss the show?” His voice was dark and purred through his lips like silk, soft and yet dangerous.
She could feel his anger. “You’re upset.”
“Of course I am. I came back to the inn and you were gone. Where were you?”
She wished she could see his face, but all she could see was his broad-shouldered outline before the fire. “It doesn’t matter where I went. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sleep. It’s been a long day and—”
He moved a bit more, the moonlight now limning one side of his face until he looked like a glorious statue. “What’s wrong, Jane? We’ve shared rooms before.”
“Yes, but I’ve never undressed in front of you before. That’s not acceptable.” Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what he thought, and then decided she didn’t wish to know. She knew she wasn’t ugly, but then again, she also knew she wasn’t the buxom, curvaceous sort of woman that usually attracted Michael’s interest.
Some things were best left unknown. “May I go to sleep now?”
“No. Where were you? I was worried.” Michael hated admitting that, but he was still simmering from the way she’d so blithely entered the room and undressed before him. He should have let her know that he was there, and he’d meant to do so. Or he had until she stepped into that silvered pool of light and he’d lost all ability to speak. After that, all he’d been able to do was stare.