“Because ye should kenwhat ye’re agreein’ to. If ye take this position, it willnae be easy. Me children need someone who’ll care about them, nae just go through the motions.” He held her gaze. “And I think ye might be that someone.”
“Ye barely ken me,”she repeated, but there was less conviction in it now.
“I kenye bit a man who tried to grab ye. I ken ye kept runnin’ even when ye thought ye had nay chance. I ken ye’re smart enough to question everythin’ I say instead of just acceptin’ it.” Elijah’s voice softened. “And I ken ye understand what it’s like to need someone to care, because ye had a neighbor who did that for ye once. That’s enough for me.”
Piper’s handtightened on her necklace. For a moment, Elijah thought she might cry. Then she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“A contract,”she said. “In writin’. With me wages clearly stated.”
“Aye.”
“And me own chambers.With a lock on the door.”
“Aye.”
“And I can leave anytime.For any reason. Nay questions asked.”
“That’s what I vowed,isnae it?”
She studiedhim for another long moment. Then, finally, she nodded. “All right. I’ll do it. I’ll be yer bairns’ governess.”
Relief flooded through Elijah,so strong it nearly staggered him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d wanted her to say yes until the words left her mouth.
This is a mistake. Bringin’her into yer home, around yer children. Ye’re goin’ to get attached, and then she’ll leave.
He shoved the thoughts aside.
“Good,”he said, keeping his voice level. “Then let’s get ye back on the horse. We’ve still got a long way to go.”
He movedto help her mount, but Piper held up a hand.
“I can do it meself.”
“The horse issixteen hands high, lass. Ye’ll need?—”
“I saidI can do it meself.”
Elijah bitback a smile and stepped aside. Piper approached the horse, who eyed her with what might have been amusement, and tried to pull herself up. She made it halfway before her arms gave out, and she slid back down.
“Ye were sayin’?”Elijah asked.
“Shut up.”Piper tried again, with the same result. On her third attempt, she finally swallowed her pride. “Fine. Help me up. But only because the horse is unreasonably tall.”
“Of course.The horse is completely at fault here.”
“Are ye mockin’me, Laird McMahon?”
“Wouldnae dream of it, Miss Armstrong.”
He graspedher waist and lifted her onto the horse’s back, then mounted behind her. This time, when his arm settled around her waist, she didn’t stiffen quite as much.
Progress.
“How long untilwe reach yer castle?” Piper asked as they started moving again.
“Another day,maybe less if we keep a good pace.”
“And yer children?”
