“Correct. That is Christopher’s doing.”
“Nay,” Nicholas sucked in a breath.
“Aye. He actually gambled away the family livelihood. Hell’s teeth, no’ even only the family’s, but the castle’s, the village’s, all the people we are responsible for.”
“Ye no longer have possession of your flock?”
“Nay. ’Tis unbelievable, really. As if him running our books into the ground wasna enough, he added this.”
“Who the hell takes sheep in lieu of coin for a game?”
“Aye, I wondered the same thing. Ross was involved.”
“Ross!” Nicholas spat out his name. “He kens naught about keeping sheep.”
“Which is why he is no longer in possession of them. He’s sold them off.” Alexander pushed out of his chair and approached the fire, grabbing the poker and stabbing the logs. Sparks shot up in every direction, but he ignored them, taking out his frustration on the defenseless wood.
“To whom?” Nicholas asked.
“That’s another thing. We’ve a new resident in town. An American.”
Nicholas frowned. “Really? I havena heard, but I only ken the happenings around Huntly for the most part.”
Alexander nodded. “Aye, he’s apparently the only living relative of old man Seamus Kitt,” he sighed. “And now that he is here in Argyll, he’s looking for a way in to society.”
Nicholas barked out a laugh. “And this is his way of solidifying that? He must be daft.”
“My thoughts as well. But right now, he holds the upper hand. I talked with Ross today. He and his wife are hosting a ball tomorrow night. We are all invited. Apparently, the American will be there as well. I’m hoping I can talk him into selling me the flock back.”
“Do ye think he will?” Nicholas finished his brandy and Alexander lifted the bottle off the sideboard and refilled his glass.
“I dinna ken. But I need to try. And pray that he will be willing to barter.”
“’Tis a shite situation.” He looked around the study. “Where is Christopher? I dinna believe I’ve seen him since we arrived.”
Alexander shrugged. “He was with me when I paid Ross a visit. He left soon after we got home. I havena heard him come back. All I ken, is he sure as hell better no’ be in the game houses. I warned him to steer clear of them, but he’s stubborn. And angry.” He drained his glass and poured himself a refill, drinking deep, wishing he could drink his problems away.
“What does he have to be angry about? Other than his own stupidity?”
“He’s put off that I left him in charge of the books instead of hiring someone to take over the estate’s finances. I had gone through the books with him before I left. Thought he was more than capable.” Oh, how wrong he’d been. He should have gotten the clue when Christopher would look at him with glazed eyes as they pored over them, Alexander explaining the different transactions that needed to be paid and when.
Their predicament was as much his fault as his brother’s.
