Page 55 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

Never expecting an invitation, the man and the guard exchanged glances. The latter returned to the door to keep watch, his hand on the hilt of the sword in his belt. The elderly man approached slowly, as if his boots were treading on eggshells. Scarlett sat on a comfortable bench and motioned to the chair again, urging the man to take a seat.

“I am pleased tae meet ye, me lady.” He bowed before he sat. “There is much talk of ye in the town.”

“Is there?” Scarlett wondered what the gossips said of Lady Eloise.

“Aye. People are thrilled tae think there will be a family in the castle again.” He smiled, his cheeks tilting up.

“Well, that is most kind of you.” Scarlett cleared her throat. She could picture herself here here with Noah, and a little boy with them. A son, perhaps.

That family isnae mine. Noah isnae my groom tae keep.

“What can I do for ye?” she asked, trying to redirect their conversation.

“I am in need of help, me lady.” He leaned forward. “I am a farmer here at the edge of the village. Ye must have seen the storms this last year?”

“Aye. Just a few days ago we had another, aye?”

“Aye. Dreadful storms indeed. They shake the earth beneath us.” The man shuddered and pulled his ragged coat tighter around his shoulders. “They have damaged my crops. I had a poor yield, and little money came from it. This winter, too, I lost the most precious thing I had. My wife.”

Scarlett sat forward, gutted to hear of his loss. When his eyes teared up, she reached out, closing the distance to place her palm over the man’s hand. The guard at the door stepped forward, worried about proximity, but she had no intention of pulling back from a man who was hurting.

“I am sincerely sorry for yer loss,” she whispered.

“Ye are kind indeed.” A tear rolled down his cheek as he laid a hand over hers. They sat for a minute or so together. “I dinnae ken how tae live without her, in truth. It hasnae been easy. With her loss and the poor crop yield, I have little money tae my name. I fear the tax collectors at the end of the month, me lady. I have nothing tae give them, yet they will ask nonetheless. I pray ye…” He trailed off and hung his head as more tears escaped.

“Ye need nae pay the tax this month.”

“I beg yer pardon?” His head jerked up.

“’Tis what ye came tae ask me, is it nae?” she said softly. “Ye have been through a hard time, a dreadful time. It is only right that ye have time tae recover without the threat of spending money ye can ill afford.”

Scarlett was reminded of a man who frequently visited the tavern. Three nights a week, the man would sit alone in a corner and drink himself to a stupor. Scarlett approached him after a few months to find out why he drank in such a way. The poor man had recently lost his wife. He didn't know what to do without her company except try to forget the pain.

I could do nothing for that man, but at least I have the power here tae help this one. I will speak with Noah; I’ll ask him to do it as a favor to me.

“Are ye sure, me lady?” he asked, leaning forward. “I ken I ask a lot.”

“‘Tisnae a lot.” She stood and released his hand. “I will tell Laird Chattan of our discussion. Leave yer name and address with the guard and we will make arrangements.”

“Thank ye. Thank ye so much.” The man leaped to his feet and bowed deeply, twice over. The guard stepped forward to show him the way out. “Ye are gracious indeed. A most kind Lady.”

As the man left the room with the guard escorting him, Scarlett’s smile fell. She thought only of Eloise returning to her rightful place in the castle.

‘Tis what I wanted, was it nae? I said aye tae this so I could travel and see the world, be far away from the tavern and Athol. I didnae want tae stay here, did I?

She couldn’t explain why the thought of leaving saddened her or why she put away the book about France on a table beside her, sliding it far from her reach.

“I dinnae believe it,” a soft voice said at the door. Scarlett looked up to see Callie standing there, leaning on the doorframe. “Ye had an audience with Angus?” She pointed down the corridor, where she had seen him leave with the guard.

“Angus?” Scarlett furrowed her brow together. “I didnae ask him his name.”

“Let me guess.” Callie tilted her head to the side. “Did he ask ye for money?” Scarlett blinked in surprise. “How did ye…?”

“He did? I kent it!”

“Nae, nae.” Scarlett shook her head. “He asked nae tae pay taxes this month. He said his crops had failed and his wife had died.”

“Strange. His crops have failed every year,” Callie chuckled and met Scarlett in the middle of the room. “He is fond of conning people, me lady. He has asked the castle for money many times. It seems he has taken advantage of a new face and yer good nature. Though I will give him credit for at least fabricating an original story this time and asking for a reprieve from taxes rather than a handout.”