Chapter Three #2
Nor did he expect the glenfolk to warmly welcome the new Earl of Kildonan, and here was proof indeed. “Did you know the old earl?” he asked.
“Not well.” She shivered at another blast of bitter cold air seeping past. “He caused much trouble and sadness here when he evicted the people to make room for sheep to secure his fortune. They say it is a vast fortune indeed, and the rumor is that the new earl will sell off more land and not even bother coming here.” She lifted her chin, a slight motion that spoke of pride and sadness too.
She loved this place deeply, he realized. So did he, built on memories.
“If the new earl intends to alter the estate, he likely has his reasons,” he said.
Catriona and the residents of Glen Shee would not know that the new earl had to generate much-needed funds.
Evan’s father had left considerable debt.
Sheep were lucrative, but the old man had been extravagant, leaving Evan with unexpected expenses.
Working with the lawyers to resolve his father’s debts, he realized he might need to sell more of the Kildonan estate to clear the ledgers.
His own funds were less than before after a catastrophic bridge collapse that had killed three of his crewmen; he had taken on the support of the widows and their children, arranging a yearly benefit and paying for the children’s education.
Though he did what he could, it did not make up for the loss of their fathers.
His dreams still haunted him, making him wonder if he could have saved the men and prevented the collapse somehow.
The Parliamentary commission for bridge construction in Scotland had declared it an unfortunate accident, but he had not forgiven himself and could not forget.
He looked up and saw the girl watching him. He cleared his throat. “Have you always lived in this glen, Miss MacConn?”
“I have. And I saw the people leave this glen years ago. A tragic day. I will never forget the sight of it.”
Evan had seen it too, another day that haunted him. He had been unable to dissuade his father from the cruel evictions. “Your family stayed?”
“My father is the parish minister. Free Church rather than the Established Church. So we stayed, but there were few people left to minister to.”
He nodded, aware that the Free Church had split from the moderate Established Church of Scotland years back. “I see. May I ask—why do you think the new earl is the same as his father?”
“We all expect it. My brother is his factor, you see. The new earl neglects his property while my brother runs it. Perhaps the new Kildonan does not care about the glen and its people. Perhaps he only wants the profit from the wool of the thousands of sheep his father brought in.” Her blue eyes fairly sparked.
“The earl leaves it to his sister to supervise with Finlay’s help. ”
Good Lord, Evan thought. Finlay MacConn!
He should have recognized the name, but his head was fuzzy—and he had never met the young factor.
Evan’s sister, Lady Jean Mackenzie-Gray, met and corresponded with Finlay MacConn, and Evan, busy with his bridge building, hardly paid attention.
The glen and its concerns were running smoothly.
Young MacConn had been the old factor’s assistant and was doing an excellent job.
And here he sat with his factor’s sister, the daughter of the local reverend, in a very compromising situation. He should tell her the truth—or guard his identity until they could go their separate ways.
Catriona MacConn so clearly disliked the new earl of Glen Shee that she might be outraged. She might even walk out into a frozen snowy night rather than stay with him. He would wait. He could blame his foggy head for forgetting to mention that he was, in fact, the despised earl.
“Neglect?” Evan asked, picking up on what she had said. “The earl neglects the glen?”
Did they truly think that here? He had assumed all was well.
But for months, he had been out in the remote Hebridean Isles working on a lighthouse project with his friend, Dougal Stewart.
He had scant time to break away to visit Kildonan and Glen Shee.
His sister and brother-in-law had stepped in, and he was grateful.
They had reported that the new factor was competent and trustworthy.
“The earl has all but abandoned Kildonan,” Catriona went on.
“He has not come back to meet his tenants since he inherited. Has he done anything to help them? Not at all. He could right the wrongs done here. He could bring back the crofters forced to leave here. He could hire Highlanders to watch his sheep. My brother does all he can to make up for it, but he has only so much authority.” She folded her arms. “It is very disappointing.”
Evan frowned. “I can see where you might believe—”
“The new earl will continue the old earl’s ways, profiting from sheep and wool, and taking fees from tourists and holiday climbers. You, for instance!”
Evan looked away. Rentals and tourists had been his father’s scheme to make more profit from the glen. He had even considered building an inn for tourists. Sighing, he shook his head slowly. He had much to learn here.
“I am sorry,” he said.
“Not your fault. Are you one of the tourists who pay to climb our hills?”
“I, ah—” he began, but she shrieked, turning.
“Oh, look! Snow is falling right through the roof. I thought it felt colder in here. I must cover that hole.” She picked up her skirts and marched to the back corner.
“Let me help.” Dizziness swamped him as he stood. The girl was already dragging a chair toward the opening, prepared to climb up. He pushed weakness aside, not about to sit by while a lass did the work needed to make this place habitable.