Chapter Twenty-Three

Monday

After class, Crystal sat with Ailish and Jenny in Aaron’s office as they told their story about slavery—of how people from the village disappeared when the ship docked and no one had heard from them since. If anyone could help the girls, it was him.

Aaron frowned as he listened, taking detailed notes. “I’ll have the constable at Inverness go to the Isle of Sky to bring the MacLeod chief to me for questioning. Unfortunately, Miss MacLeod, it’s not the first time a MacLeod chief has sold his kin into slavery, though I thought it had ended last century.”

“Malcolm McLeod got away with this before because the king needed his support in the last insurrection, but this chief will not get away with selling his people again,” Crystal explained to Jenny and Ailish. “Lord Lyle will stop it.”

“I’m so grateful for your help,” Jenny said, clutching her hands together, her knuckles white, almost crying in gratitude.

“Do you think something could be done to rescue Jenny’s mother and sisters?” Crystal asked Aaron. “God knows what will happen to them if they are sold into slavery in the Americas.”

He stared back at her, the deep blue of his eyes compelling in his serious face. Her heart did a little flip. She knew what it was to be in his arms. The way he cared about people, the way he jumped to action, was making her in danger of losing her heart.

“I need to find out the name of the ship and its whereabouts before I can make any promises. It’s a very serious allegation, and it will take time to investigate. Miss MacLeod, I will do all in my power to help you.”

Jenny burst into tears, flew over to Aaron, and knelt at his feet, kissing his hands. “Oh, to see my mother and my sisters.”

“Miss MacLeod, there is no need for that,” Aaron said, taking her hand and raising her to her feet.

“But how could something as scandalous as the white slave trade happen in this day and age?” Crystal asked, wiping a tear from her own eyes at the sight of Jenny’s desperation.

Aaron stood, walked to his office door, ushering Jenny before him, and opened it. “It’s the Highlands, my lady. The people are known to be wild and resistant to doing what they’re told, even the women.” This time, he had a twinkle in his eyes, and she knew he wasn’t talking about slavery.

“I’m sure the Highland women aren’t as bad as you think,” she said, knowing he was teasing her.

“They are,” Ailish said, standing, too. “I’ve naught seen such wildness, both from men and women. I’m glad to live in the Lowlands now.”

Aaron bit back a grin.

“Thank you, Ailish. It’s time to return to the mill. We’ve taken enough of Lord Lyle’s time,” Crystal said, standing.

Jenny curtsied and thanked Aaron profusely too. Aaron ushered the girls out into his antechamber. “Please wait here while I have a word with Lady Crystal.” He closed the door. A deep frown creased his forehead. “I want you to know I went to the broadsheet office earlier this morning and demanded an apology for that disgraceful article.”

“What did the editor say?” Crystal asked.

“He agreed. The man was trembling, white with nerves. There will be an apology in the paper tomorrow morning.”

“That was easily gained. I had no idea you were so fearsome.”

“It wasn’t because of me. It seems the dowager duchess had been there just before me, insisting on the same thing. I believe she berated the editor, telling him I was your benefactor and that he was ruining not only your good name but the name of your father before you, who is a national hero.”

“Oh my goodness. She really is formidable.” Crystal pulled at her lower lip for a moment, considering his words. “Why is the Dowager Duchess Sarah interfering in your business?”

“She likes you. Thinks you’re from a sturdy Highland breed. According to her, you’re perfect for the family, rather than a weak, biddable wife who would produce a ‘welp.’”

“Now I really do feel like a breeding mare.” She pursed her lips and shook her head, wondering at this family that was so concerned with poor Aaron’s choice of a wife.

“When can I see you again?” He had a tender look in his eyes, and her heart gave a stutter. This man was so likeable.

“I have speaking and teaching engagements all this week and into the next. I’ll come next Friday.”

“Next Friday? That seems an age,” he protested.

“Hopefully, the public interest in us will have died down by then with the apology. I cannae been seen with you.”

“I know.” His face was racked with misery. “I shall miss you terribly—your company, your laughter, and holding you close.”

“Aaron, we discussed this. Arrange for a carriage without the Lomond arms at ten. I shall wear black.”

“You’ll be truly mine?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said quietly. “I will be yours.”

He clutched her hands. “I want you to know, no matter what happens between us, even if you grow to hate me, I will do everything in my power to help Jenny.”

She stood on tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. “I know. You’re a good man. You make me care for you—more than I should. Why would I ever hate you?”

“Because one day I will be a husband, and I fear that will change everything.”

She swallowed. “I know.” With that, she stepped back and pulled the door open. “Let’s go, girls,” she said, taking her leave of Aaron.

When they left the building, she noticed her maid’s narrow stare of disapproval. “Have you girls told Hilda how kind Lord Lyle has been?”

Hilda put one arm around each of the girls’ shoulders. “Indeed. Such a good lord, a kind lord, doing all of this for the benefit of you young lassies,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

“I’m so happy,” Jenny said, missing the tone in Hilda’s voice.

“I’m happy for you, Jenny.” Ailish moved away from Hilda and took Jenny’s arm, walking on ahead of them.

“You’re paying a high price for a lass you barely know,” Hilda said as they walked up the road toward the mill.

“It isn’t what you think, Hilda. These girls have no one. Lord Lyle helps me because he’s a good man.”

“Hmph!” Hilda said, stomping up the road.

“Don’t ‘hmph’ me. Look how happy Lord Lyle has made Jenny,” Crystal said, glancing at the girls, who were strolling, their arms linked, their voices gay, their laughter tinkling around them like bells. “I’d give anything to see my mother again,” she said passionately, “and now, thanks to Lord Lyle, Jenny has a chance. I don’t call that ‘paying a high price.’”

“Perhaps you’re right, my lady. You’re known for your kindness,” Hilda said.

“Lord Lyle has a big heart, too,” Crystal insisted, not wanting to take all the credit.

“I’ve lived longer than you. That lord will take your maidenhead and go and marry another without a care for breaking your heart,” Hilda said, her voice rich with anger. “I cannae bear to see it.”

“Lyle has to marry the duke’s choice of wife. But you’re wrong about him. You don’t know him the way I do. Being forced to marry someone he doesn’t care for will not break my heart, but it will break his.”

Hilda’s face turned puce, and she lost her temper. “How can you say that? You are the one who will lose out. What about having your own husband and bairns? Your mother was my kin and best friend. I swore an oath to her when she was dying that I would look after you, and I am failing her. She would turn in her grave if she knew what you were about, and your father with her. How can you keep such a cool head when Lord Lyle treats you with such disrespect?”

The force of Hilda’s anger was a knife to the heart, but she stood her ground. “I want Lord Lyle with all my being, but these girls are like my own. I won’t give up my work to marry. One day, Lord Lyle will have to, and I will need to decide whether I can stomach becoming his mistress.”