Mine Is the Night_ A Novel - Liz Curtis Higgs [77]
“That will do,” the housekeeper replied, looking smug.
Elisabeth eyed both of them, wanting to be very sure she understood. “Then … I am … engaged?”
“Most certainly,” Lord Buchanan said. “What say you to six months in my employ? From now ’til Saint Andrew’s Day?”
The thirtieth of November. She nodded, uncertain if she could speak. God bless this man. Her future, as well as Marjory’s, was secure—at least for the balance of the year. “However can I thank you?”
“Don’t thank me yet,” he protested, “for you’ll be working very hard.” He began to pace before the massive mantelpiece, hands clasped behind his back. “Tell me, is it a long distance for you to travel each day?”
“Not so far. Two miles on foot.”
He spun round. “You walk to Bell Hill?” When she assured him she did, he suggested, “Perhaps you might prefer to take up residence here.”
Elisabeth balked. She could not entertain the idea, not even for a moment. “Forgive me, milord, but I’ve promised not only to provide for my mother-in-law but also to care for her. I cannot leave her side, nor would I choose to.”
“Admirable,” he said, though something did not appear to sit well with him.
Elisabeth exchanged glances with Mrs. Pringle. Might she know what was on his mind?
Finally he said, “If you insist on walking here from Selkirk, then I would ask you to be cautious, traveling only by the light of day and with other women whenever possible. Even here at Bell Hill, see that you remain in the company of my maidservants.”
Elisabeth agreed, if only to appease him. “Is there something in particular that concerns you?”
He rubbed his chin, where a shadow of a beard was starting to show. “Although Roberts and Hyslop have chosen their men with virtue in mind, you are a widow, a Highlander, and a beauty. Some men might view such attributes as license to., eh, overstep their bounds, since you have no male relatives to defend your honor.”
Her cheeks warmed at the bluntness of his language. “As you wish, milord.”
“I will speak to the men myself and make certain you are not ill treated or taken advantage of.” He seemed most adamant on that point.
Mrs. Pringle piped up. “You can be sure I will see to Mrs. Kerr’s safety.”
“Aye, and to her daily meat and drink as well,” he added. “As to payment for your labors, rather than holding your wages until Martinmas, Mrs. Pringle will pay you for each gown when it’s finished. Shall we say … one guinea each?”
Elisabeth swallowed. A guinea? ’Tis twenty-one shillings!
Mrs. Pringle said faintly, “But that …”
He held up his hand. “Am I not permitted to spend my money as I see fit?”
“Aye, milord.” The housekeeper bowed her head, as meek as Elisabeth had ever seen her. “Forgive me.”
“You are merely being mindful of my household accounts, Mrs. Pringle, as well you should be. I shall add sufficient guineas to your ledger such that we needn’t give up sugar, aye?”
She lifted her coppery head and smiled. “Very good, milord.”
Elisabeth simply looked at the man, awed by a generosity she’d seldom known. “Shall I begin on Monday, then?”
“You shall,” he agreed, “though, in truth, you’ve labored all week.” The admiral produced a hefty calfskin purse from which he drew a gold coin. “For Mrs. Pringle’s gown. The first of many.”
When he placed the cool guinea in her palm, Elisabeth stared at the coin. “Are you always so generous with strangers?”
“You are no stranger to God,” he reminded her. “This is his blessing, not mine.”
Elisabeth looked down, overwhelmed. You have not forgotten us, Lord.
Then she felt something brush against her foot. “Charbon,” she said softly. “How glad you must be to have your master home.”
The admiral scowled at his pet. “There you are, you ungrateful creature. Transferring your affections at the first opportunity.” He bent down and scooped up Charbon, then tucked the animal under his arm. “You must be very special indeed, Mrs. Kerr, for my cat does not often pay attention to women.”
She scratched Charbon along the crooked white streak between his ears, setting off a roaring sort of purr. “He kept me