Border Bride by Arnette Lamb Read Free Book Online

Kildalton Castle, a candle in one hand, a monster story in the other. Sympathy swamped him.
    "Lord," she said, "I was a fanciful child."
    She'd been cruel and spiteful to everyone who crossed her path—even those who tried to help her. "Fanciful?" he challenged. "You dumped soot in the flour bin."
    She frowned and scratched her temple with unfeigned surprise. "Did I? I don't remember that."
    What she'd done as a child he intended to avenge. Her past misdeeds could be an effective weapon, but he mustn't let them overshadow the recent crimes of a selfish woman who had no respect for human beings. "You haven't answered me. Can you manage a household as large as Kildalton?"
    Her eyes met his. "Yes. As soon as you present the servants to me."
    The reply reeked of honesty and confidence. He could help her by introducing her to the servants. He could threaten to dismiss any who dared to gainsay her. He could make her life easier, but he wouldn't.
    "Dora can show you where the stores are kept," he said, "and acquaint you with the staff, such as it is… later."
    She continued to peruse the bookcase, but stopped when she noticed a bell hanging from a cord about a foot over her head. "What's that?" she asked.
    It was a contraption his father had devised years ago when he'd caught Malcolm snooping in the secret tunnel behind the bookcase. The bell was tied to a fishing line that was attached to the tunnel entrance, a door near the lesser hall, twenty-five feet away. Malcolm answered her with a lie, saying, "It's a Mecca bell. When Saladin made his pilgrimage he brought it back for my father."
    She crossed the room and lifted herself up on the window seat. Her tiny slippered feet and delicate ankles dangled below layers of lace-trimmed petticoats. She folded her hands in her lap. "You used to tell stories about all of the things you'd do when you became the earl. Is it what you expected? Have you accomplished all you wanted to do?"
    Surprised by her interest, Malcolm picked up the tankard and drank. Through the glass bottom of the mug he could see his plate and the stringy rabbit. "Being at peace with my English neighbors enables me to put my energies into the commerce of Kildalton." Dissatisfaction among the Highland clans complicated his life, but he didn't feel comfortable telling Alpin about Scottish problems.
    "You must involve yourself with the tenants," she said. "I've never seen such prosperous farms in the Borders. I remember the people being poor—at least those between here and my uncle's property in England."
    He felt a deep sense of pride in his accomplishments, yet he spoke offhandedly. "We've worked to breed better and stronger draft horses, fatter cattle, and we import Spanish steel for scythes and plowshares."
    Again she scratched her temple. "Spanish steel," she murmured, her eyes distant. "It's worth the extra price? It doesn't rust and it keeps a sharp edge?"
    Amused by her interest, he took a knife from his desk. Drawing the blade from the leather sheath, he handed it to her. "Be careful," he said, stepping back. "You might cut yourself."
    She grasped the bone handle and tested the blade with her thumb. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, and she let out a soft whistle. "In Barbados, we use a big knife called a machete to harvest the cane."
    "We?"
    Her brows fell. As haughty as a duchess, she said, "I mean the slaves do, of course." She quickly sheathed the blade and pitched it to him.
    He put up his hand and caught the knife, the leather casing slapping against his palm. She had a strong arm and an excellent aim. But then, Alpin had been deceptively robust as a child. Even now he doubted she weighed much more than six stone. But was she still deceptive and conniving? He intended to learn everything about her, from her plans for the future to the name of her exotic fragrance. "Tell me more about the sugarcane and your life in Barbados. Frankly, I'm surprised you didn't meet some dashing sea captain and marry