Bond of Passion by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page A

tell me that if my husband takes a mistress I am not to acknowledge such a woman?”
    “ ’Twas the earl’s mother who suggested the arrangement, for she trusted her servant. She did not want her husband in the clutches of another woman. The laird was always respectful of his wife, and she loyal to him. There was no conflict between mistress and servant over this matter. I am told the old laird had several other bastards whom he acknowledged over the years of his life. Those bairns, however, remained wi’ their mams. Men will be men, Annabella, but unless your husband’s behavior threatens you or your bairns, ye would be wise to look the other way. The wives of the Stewart kings certainly have, and those bairns who are born on the other side of the blanket are useful and loyal to their sire’s family. It is the custom among the high nobility to raise their bastards as trusted servants and confidants. Queen Mary is advised by her half brother, Lord James Stewart, whose mam was once King James’s mistress. And the Earl of Duin’s half brother serves him well, as you see. His half sister will serve ye, and will prove a valuable ally for ye, my daughter.”
    “I am not certain I am comfortable with my husband’s half sister serving me,” Annabella admitted to her mother.
    “Do not worry yourself,” the lady Anne advised. “Jean Ferguson has been raised to fulfill this position. She will take pride in it.” She turned to look about the hall and see where Jean was now, and, finding her standing quietly across the hall, the lady Anne beckoned to her to come and join them.
    Jean came immediately. “How may I serve ye, my lady?” she asked politely.
    “By reassuring my daughter that although you are the earl’s half sister, you are glad to serve her,” the older woman said.
    Jean Ferguson smiled a sweet smile. “Do not be uncomfortable, my lady Annabella,” she said, looking the girl directly in the eye. “My own mam was the lady Adrienne’s serving woman. I was raised to one day serve my brother’s bride. I am honored to do so,” she told her new mistress, curtsying.
    “Having a personal servant is new for me, and I am used to a simple life,” Annabella replied.
    “Life is not overly complicated at Duin,” Jean reassured her new mistress.
    The lady Anne arose from her seat, indicating that Jean should take it. “Why do not you two become better acquainted,” she said, “while I go and fetch your sisters? As soon as your father has approved the contracts, you will be formally wed.” She hurried off.
    “Do you think the earl will like me?” Annabella asked shyly.
    “Of course he will. Angus is a good man, my lady,” Jean said.
    “I realize ’tis that bit of land he really wants,” Annabella remarked.
    “Aye, he does,” Jean replied, “but it is also past time he took a wife. He has no legitimate heirs. He did not obtain the earldom to have it expire on his death. My brother wants to found a dynasty, and he needs a wife to do it.”
    “He’s being forced to the altar,” Annabella said softly. “I hope he will not hate me for it.”
    Jean laughed. “All men are forced to the altar, my lady. Few go willingly. Marriage is about gold, land, and power. These are the things that make a family strong.”
    “He will certainly be disappointed in me, for I have no beauty,” Annabella said bleakly. “I have never before wished for my sisters’ beauty, but I do now.”
    “Aye,” Jean said candidly. “Ye’re plain. There’s nae denying it. But ye’re nae ugly. Yer features are neat. Yer skin is clear, and”—she reached out to catch a length of Annabella’s sable hair between her fingers—“yer hair is glorious. My brother has been told of yer deficiencies, and did nae object.”
    Annabella didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this bit of information, but then her father called her to come to the high board. She rose and hurried to his side.
    “Look here in the marriage contract,”