The way Shelton’s blue-green gaze was fixed upon her breasts, his eyes wide with shock, made Clover feel uncomfortable. The heat of a blush stung her cheeks, and it increased when Lambert aped Shelton’s stare. Clover had the sudden sensation that she was completely exposed to their view, though she successfully quelled the urge to cover herself.
Abruptly noticing what his brother and cousin were doing, Ballard growled, “Do ye two fools want to stop ogling my fiancée?”
Shelton and Lambert both jumped in surprise, then blushed, only to gape suddenly at Ballard. “Yourwhat?” they yelped in unison.
Ballard draped his arm around Clover’s slim shoulders and said, “My bride.”
“What is going on here, Ballard?” demanded Lambert. “You did not even know this girl an hour ago.Hellfire, cousin, when we left you, you were talking about marrying Sarah Marsten.”
“A mon has a perfect right to change his mind.”
“Are you sure about this?” Clover whispered to Ballard. “Youdofully understand all the things I explained to you?”
“Aye, lass,” he replied in an equally soft voice, giving his relatives a look that stopped them from edging closer and listening. “Ye have no dowry, no money at all, and ye have two brothers and a mother to care for. Even as ye were telling me all about it, I was pondering your proposal. Now, I got to thinking that ye so badly needing a husband could be a good thing for me. It means ye really want to get hitched and, even though I was willing to spend some time courting me a wife, I wouldnae mind getting right back to Kentucky either. There is also the fact that ye are nae in a position to be particular about where ye must go or what will be there.”
“That is quite true, Mr. MacGregor,” she admitted, somewhat reluctantly, for she regretted that circumstances had stolen all the romance from her life. “Are you able to take in all four of us?”
“Aye. I have a sizable house, although it isnae quite as grand as this one. When I built it I figured I might as weel build it big. I made the shell and we have been finishing it off slowly. It still needs some work. We can put your brothers in a room together and your ma can have a room to herself. Mind ye, Lambert and Shelton abide there with me.”
“If you are willing to accept my three dependents, then I can certainly accept the added work your brother and cousin may cause me. I must be honest, however, Mr. MacGregor. Although I am very good atsewing, needlepoint, and the like, my cooking skills are but newly learned and leave much to be desired.”
“If ye learned some cooking, then ye will be able to learn even more. I have been doing the cooking for the three of us for nearly a dozen years. Reckon even I can lend ye a hand until ye can manage on your own.”
Even though it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, Clover knew that Ballard was being generous. Her problems were now solved. She had found a home and a provider for her family. She should be happy, and she was in a small way, but she also felt a sharp pang of sadness over all she was missing because of the need to arrange her future in such a practical way.
Ballard frowned when he saw a hint of sadness cloud her expression, despite her lingering smile. In a quiet, solemn voice, he said, “Now, lassie, just because we are doing this in a commonsense way and getting married quick doesnae mean I cannae practice a wee bit of courting with ye. We will still be needing to learn about each other.”
“Oh, that is so very nice of you,” she whispered, her voice thin as she fought a sudden urge to cry.
“Here now.” He frowned even more at the telltale glitter of tears in her eyes. “Are ye sure about this plan?”
“Yes, Mr. MacGregor, I am very sure.”
“Weel, there may be other ways to see to the care of your family.” Ballard was surprised to find himself fervently hoping that Clover did not know of any other ways.
She shook her head. “I have spent two long weeks considering all those other ways, even though Ithought Thomas was still the answer to my difficulties. There is very little work to be had, and what there is would never pay enough to keep a roof over our heads. Of course, the barkeep at the Sly Dog Tavern indicated that there were ways for a woman to enhance the meager pay he offered, but I decided against that.” She grimaced at the note of bitterness in her voice.
“Of course ye did.” Ballard wondered if he had time to go to the Sly Dog Tavern and instruct the proprietor in some good manners.
“Mr. MacGregor, I left that tavern declaring righteously that I would rather die a thousand deaths than sink to such a depth. I was only a few yards from the door, however, when I realized that ‘twas not only my life at stake. I began to think about how I would feel if I saw the pinch of hunger in my family’s faces. Suddenly I was no longer filled with outrage and no longer so sure that I would never debase myself so. That is the fear that prompts me to approach you so boldly now.”
Ballard thought of his past, of the days when he was a callow youth of seventeen who had been left with the care of Shelton and Lambert, boys of only eight and ten. He tightened his arm around Clover’s shoulders in sympathetic understanding. “Aye, I understand. When I was little more than a beardless lad myself, I was left with the care of those two.” He nodded toward his companions standing a few feet away. “There are a few things I did to keep them fed that I dinnae feel too proud of.”
“Are ye going to tell us what is going on here?” Shelton called.
“I am going to marry Miss Clover Sherwood,” Ballard replied.
“I see. Now, I dinnae mean any offense to ye, lass, but, hellfire, Ballard, ye didnae even ken the girl until an hour ago. Andthenye were talking on marrying Sarah Marsten, just like Lambert said.”
“I came to this town to get wed. It seems Miss Marsten wasnae as interested as she allowed me to think she was, while Miss Sherwood is verra interested. There willnae be any time wasted either. Miss Sherwood’s of a mind to set to it, and so am I. That means we can head back to Kentucky real soon.”
Shelton grabbed his brother by the arm and paused to smile apologetically at Clover. “Miss, I am of a strong mind to have me a wee talk with my brother in private. It isnae because of ye personally, truly, but I—”
“That is quite all right,” Clover said even as Ballard was tugged away from her side. “I do understand.”
“Ye are going to make her feel real insulted,” Ballard reprimanded when the three men stopped far enough away from Clover so that they could talk quietly without being overheard.
“I dinnae mean to do that and weel ye ken it,” Shelton muttered, then snapped, “Hellfire and damnation, Ballard! Ye cannae expect usnotto wonder what the devil is going on.”
