“What is it?”
“It is not meant to demote your status in this family in any way but rather teach you the ways of running a large estate as its laird.”
“You want me to replace Alain, don’t you?” he said with a smile.
Thomas had always been quick-witted which was why he had always been able to get under people’s skins so effectively. Very little was missed in his inspection.
“Aye, Jean and Alain will be gifted the manor house and those lands, and he will be busy building a life with her. You will need to learn how to be a good landlord and how to responsibly handle staff and coin. You are keen and know how to read people for deception which will come in handy when you are laird of your own keep.”
By the time they entered the castle, they had already mapped out the immediate duties Thomas would take on which included collecting rent from the tenants. That act would teach him how to work with those who were not so fortunate in their birthright.
With Thomas sorted for the time being, he next sought out Jean. Finding her in the library with Marion, he was pleased he could put a smile on both of their currently frowning faces.
“Sister, we will have an additional guest at the feast this eve,” he said.
“Oh, and who might that be?”
“Your betrothed will be joining us. As will a newly appointed Thomas as my steward.”
“What?” Jean asked. “You have spoken with Alain?”
“Aye, I have, and I have given him my blessing which leaves me without a steward. I have also spoken at length with Thomas, who will be apologizing to you, my lady,” he said to Marion. “He has already been given duties to start, and I hope that by him learning how to manage this estate, he will soon move off to oversee his own.”
Marion moved to his side. “Are you certain of this?” she asked, concern resting in her beautiful eyes.
“Aye, my love. He is genuinely sorry for the angst he has caused you and me, and we both agree, he needs something constructive to occupy his time.”
Four arms wrapped around his middle and squeezed.
‘Thank you, brother,” Jean said.
“Thank you, my love,” Marion said.
Alexander stood there with the two women he loved most in the world hugging onto him, and if he didn’t have a feast to help prepare for, he would have stood there all day.
Jean was the first to release him. She wiped her wet cheeks and smoothed her hair. “I don’t have time to stand around all day,” she said. “I must speak with the cook.”
She was halfway to the door when she turned. “I am sorry, Lady Campbell. I overstepped.”
Alexander looked down to see that Marion had not thought either that, in fact, it was she who would now have to speak with the cook.
Marion released Alexander and went to link arms with Jean. “We shall go together,” she said.
After they left, he placed his hands on the desk and leaned on it. Great fortune had befallen him the day he’d met her. He smiled to himself as a vision of her passed before his eyes with her flaming red hair blowing gently in the wind. That sight was now reserved for him and him alone as she was now required to cover it wherever she went. He couldn’t wait to show her later just how happy she had made him.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Marion’s heart wasfull. The emotional turmoil of earlier had completely passed out of her the moment Alexander had returned looking content and relaxed. She was keenly aware that whatever the encounter with Thomas, it had ended in a manner that pleased him, and that was good enough for her.
Now in their chamber and stepping out of the bath, she scanned the gowns the maids had selected from her chests to choose which she would wear. Spying the crimson brocade one she’d worn the day she first laid eyes on Alexander, she recalled how she had tried to hide her bosom. With a grin, she wrapped herself in a robe and lifted it for better inspection. Oh, her mother had been cheeky indeed. Inside the bodice was a modesty scarf built in which she could have used that day. Was that part of what Alexander had noticed in her? She’d had a sense from him that he wasn’t sure of her motivations in the beginning, and she couldn’t blame him. Tonight, she would don this gown again and wear it so that all of her features were accentuated.
The maids entered the chamber a short time after to help fix her hair under a wimple and newly crafted gable hood that her mother had initially intended for her to wear that day. It would take some time to get used to it, but tradition was what it was.
Before long, she was fully dressed and ready to attend to her guests as Lady Campbell, Countess of Argyll, and she was pleased that shefully looked the part. A knock at the door was followed by Alexander who had his clothes gathered and brought to one of the other chambers where there was a bath for him.
He was donned head to toe in black which was a color she was fast coming to love, especially on him. The sight of him took her breath away.
“I remember this gown,” he said with a growl as he moved to her and placed his hands on her waist. “But I don’t remember your breasts looking this delicious. Have you done something to them?” he asked with a devilish gleam in his eye and a sideways smile.
