Page 19 of Highlander's Caged Rose
But why did he even want to do that? He knew how she felt about him—or thought he did. Why did he want to changeher mind? Perhaps he was just being vain, and did not want a beautiful woman to think badly of him.
Niall sighed as he climbed out of his bath. He knew he should concentrate on the work of running the estate rather than brooding over a situation over which he had little control. Granted, he could refuse to marry the clan’s choice for him, but where would that leave him? He still needed a bride to produce an heir, and it was clear that Moira Jamieson did not want to be that woman.
He heaved another sigh, then went to his study, and by sheer force of will, began to bury himself in his accounts. He succeeded in banishing Moira from his mind for some hours, during which time he talked over financial matters and some tenants’ affairs with his steward.
Having determined the best course of action for dealing with them, they arranged to go out that afternoon to meet with some of them and settle the outstanding matters. The last thing Niall wanted was discontent amongst those who worked on his estate. He had enough to deal with already!
He had always been surprised to find that his tenants had such a high regard for him, but his steward, Bruce Watson, had told him that it was because he had no favourites and always treated them fairly. This had pleased Niall to no end, and he was greeted with great friendliness by all of them. However, he was puzzled.
When he asked Bruce, who was slightly older than him, why this was, he chuckled. “People can tell who likes them,” he answered. “Wait till ye have children, M’Laird, an’ ye will soon see.”
Children. Niall had succeeded in keeping his thoughts free of Moira Jamieson for a few hours, only to have them wrenched back to her again. Even in his elevated position as a Laird, hehad rarely given much thought to having children, so why was he doing so now?
Because of her, he realised. Because he had to figure out his feelings for Moira, and for the first time ever, the word “love” jumped into his mind.
“Children?” He laughed. “I cannot imagine myself with children, Bruce.”
“I have six, M’Laird,” Bruce told him, “an’ they are the joy o’ my life. Ye will find the same thing when ye are a father yourself.” His face beamed with happiness, and for a moment Niall envied him sorely.
He tried to imagine himself with children, tried to see a picture of himself holding a tiny baby in his arms, play-fighting with a little boy of seven or eight and having a boxing match with an adolescent with a bad attitude!
And daughters. They were a whole different story, no doubt. Soft, fragile, easily hurt, needing a mother to show them how to be a woman. And who would that woman be?
The one face that swam into his consciousness at once was Moira Jamieson, and suddenly, he was not in the least surprised. Despite himself, Niall was edging towards a conclusion that he dared not name.
When he was left alone in his study and downed a large shot of whisky. It was not something he usually did, but today he was much more agitated than usual and needed something to calm him down. He stood by the window for a long time watching the guards below him practising their swordplay, archery, and boxing. He was in charge of all these men, but the weight of that duty had never felt heavier than it did now.
His marriage was coming to meet him, not like some celebration of joy, but more akin to a looming threat. He had never met his intended and would have very little time to decide whether he would love her or loathe her.
And what would happen if he hated her? Was there a procedure for annulling the marriage? Niall looked at the whisky bottle again. He was sorely tempted to pour himself another glass, but he had seen too many other men take that long-tempting road to hell.
Perhaps he should ask someone who understood and who better than another woman?
It was early afternoon, and at this time of day the usual place to find his sister was in her favourite small parlour near the stable eating a light lunch. Niall always laughed at the thought of the miniscule amount of food Glennie ate. He could have eaten ten times that amount and still had room to spare!
When he opened the parlour door Glennie looked up and smiled at him. “Have you come to join me, brother?” she asked. “Because I will have to order a wagon full of food to accommodate you.”
Niall laughed. He loved engaging with Glennie this way because not only was she his little sister, but his best friend, and they could talk to each other about anything. Now, however, he had something more important than food to discuss.
“I need to talk to you,” he said heavily, frowning. “There is something strange going on, and it is puzzling me.”
Glennie suddenly looked scared. She dropped her gaze to her food and poured herself some wine. “Would you like some?” she asked, keeping her eyes on her glass.
Niall shook his head. “I have just had a glass of whisky,” he told her. “You know I never mix those two.”
As he looked at her, he had a strange feeling that Glennie was hiding something from him, but decided he would discuss it with her later. Normally, Glennie would have smiled at this, since it brought back a funny memory of Niall being so drunk he passed out and had the hangover from hell when he woke up. However,now she concentrated on her food and continued to avoid his eyes.
“I wanted to ask you about Moira,” he said as he sat down. “I need to know more about her.”
Glennie frowned. “Why?” she asked.
“She worries me,” he replied. “She has told us a story about going to stay with an aunt in Aberdeen, but to be honest, Glennie, I don’t believe her, I don’t think she has anywhere to go after she leaves here.”
“Then let her stay, as I asked you to before,” Glennie replied. “It seems like the best solution.”
“And what if her family comes to find her?” he asked. “We have no idea who her betrothed is. He might be a powerful Laird, and send an army to attack us. I have done enough fighting to last me a lifetime, Glennie. I want no more.”
Glennie relaxed as she realised that her brother had not found out about her relationship with Ritchie, as she was sure he had. However, it reminded her to be extra careful in future. She knew what Niall’s reaction would be if he found out that the mistress of Baltyre Castle was having a romantic relationship with a stable hand!
