Marshal and the Heiress by Patricia; Potter Read Free Book Online

“Sarah Ann is tired, and the two of us could use a bath.”
    Lisbeth looked startled, and Barbara disconcerted that he had included Lisbeth in his appreciation. Undoubtedly, Barbara was used to getting all the attention. But he was familiar—too familiar—with beautiful women. He might enjoy looking at them, but he sure didn’t trust them.
    â€œHugh will be devastated that he isn’t here to greet you,” Barbara said.
    Hugh, Ben remembered, was the one who had tried to bribe Silas Martin not to find the heir.
    â€œHe had to go to the village on business,” Barbara explained. “He’s been running the estate until you … she … ah …” She stopped in mid-sentence, obviously at a loss.
    â€œThat’s not exactly true,” Lisbeth Hamilton interjected.
    â€œWell, he would be running it if you didn’t continually interfere,” Barbara shot back.
    The hostile currents grew stronger, and Ben watched with interest. He would have to tread carefully, trying to determine hard ground from quicksand. Some of his unease must have reflected in his expression, for Barbara’s face took on a bright smile again.
    â€œI’ve had cook make some scones for you,” she said. “Come along and we’ll give you a good Scottish welcome.”
    She turned toward the door, clearly expecting Ben to follow. He looked at Lisbeth Hamilton.
    â€œYes,” she said, a little too sweetly. “Go along. Geordie will take your bags to your room, and I’ll have water heated for baths.”
    A battle simmered between the two—that much was obvious—and Ben was oddly surprised that Lisbeth Hamilton participated in a blatant game of one-upmanship. She didn’t seem the type. But it also appeared her heart was not in the game, and he suspected she thought her sister-in-law had scored the first victory.
    He wondered about the game. He hadn’t known what to expect on his arrival. Hostility toward him and Sarah Ann had seemed most likely. But it appeared the occupants of Calholm intended to court and indulge them both. What prizes were the Hamiltons after?
    Ben smiled wryly. It might be an interesting adventure after all.
    Lisbeth was considering evening wear when a light knock came at her door. She opened it to a deeply perturbed butler.
    Duncan MacCormick was really too old to still be in service, but he resisted all encouragement to retire. And Lisbeth hadn’t the heart to force him to leave. Duncan didn’t hear very well, had a habit of dropping things, and couldn’t remember much. But he had been a family retainer since Jamie’s father was young, and he took great pride in Calholm and his role as head butler. Every time she suggested retiring, great tears ran down his cheeks. The Hamiltons, such as they were, were his family, all he had.
    At the moment, he looked as if he’d swallowed a raw eel—shocked and deeply offended. “The … American,” he stuttered, “doesna like the rooms.”
    Lisbeth felt a growing anger. She had chosen the bloody man’s room carefully. It was the finest in the house, aside from the master’s bedroom, and there were few suitable alternatives—none at all in the west wing, which was where she wanted him, far away from Hugh’s and Barbara’s rooms in the east wing. Lisbeth thought it best not to put temptation so close to Barbara’s path. The child, of course, would stay in the nursery.
    â€œNo doubt he wants the master’s bedroom,” she said.
    â€œNay.” Duncan shook his head, distress written all over the ancient face. He knew, like all the other servants and tenants at Calholm, that the newcomer meant change and, most likely, trouble. They all trembled for their jobs. “He wants the small lass nearby,” the butler continued. “He said the nursery wouldna do at all.”
    It was not the answer Lisbeth expected and, in fact, it