Chapter Fifteen
Maisy might have napped next to Iain if not for her corset. It was not something easy to have sex in but they’d managed. Sleeping, however, would be near impossible.
Eventually she gave in and went to her own room where she called for Abigail to come put her back to rights.
“I’m afraid there’s not to be done with the gown, mistress. We’ll have to change you for dinner a bit early.”
“Very well,” Maisy agreed.
“How did it become so wrinkled again?”
“It was a fierce wind.” As lying went, Maisy was not so good at it.
“My. I hadn’t even realized you’d gone out for a stroll.” Abigail tutted and then gasped. “And you have a bruise. Here on your neck.”
“Right. It was a nut from a tree. Probably a squirrel.”
If she was going to keep lying to her maid about her adventures with her husband, she should probably come up with some better lies beforehand.
Once she was properly clothed, she went back to the study and straightened up some things. For all the activity that happened in this room, it was not so worse for the wear.
If Iain hadn’t come when he had, things might have ended differently.
In fact, Mr. Garrow seemed overly put out with someone touching these ledgers. She opened the one she’d been working on before he’d entered and determined she knew why he wouldn’t want anyone to see them.
“This is the second time in the same day I’ve woken to find you gone,” Iain said from the door. She jumped, still a bit rattled from what had happened earlier in the day.
“I’m sorry to have startled you. Are you well?”
“Yes. It’s just I hope that’s the last I ever see of Mr. Garrow.”
“Everyone has been told he is not to be granted entry into the castle any longer. It seems he was not well liked by the staff so you shouldn’t have any further problems with him.”
When he was gone, he meant.
He didn’t say it, but she understood. She wanted to ask when he would leave, or if he might stay longer. Or forever. But she’d signed on for this and she wouldn’t turn back on their agreement now.
“Mr. Garrow is not just a poor steward and a violent sot. He’s also a thief.”
“Really? How do you know?” Iain came closer, his brows pulled together.
Maisy turned the book to point at the place where it became evident the numbers were wrong. Iain frowned and she remembered he might not see what she was attempting to show him.
“Sorry. It’s not balancing. The amount that was taken in from the harvest last year is marked wrong in the ledger. It was shorted by two-hundred pounds. He also marked that seed was purchased for five hundred pounds, but the receipt says it only cost three hundred.”
“That blighter is shorting the books. That’s why the castle has not been able to sustain itself. It’s why I was forced to marry.”
Maisy winced as if he’d struck her. She knew what he said was the truth, but she’d thought after last night and this afternoon he might not be so upset about their marriage. Or at least that he didn’t feel forced into it.
But of course it wouldn’t have changed anything between them. His love was the sea. It would never be her. She didn’t even have the right to be angry. He’d done nothing wrong.
“It seems it’s time I make my acquaintance with the constable. I will not let this stand.”
Maisy wanted to point out that taking such action would be fruitless. Surely a man such as Mr. Garrow had already used the funds he’d stolen, likely on drink, and getting the law involved would only cause Mr. Garrow to seek retribution.
When she said as much he seemed surprised.
“I can’t allow him to move on to another property, another family where he would drain their funds and wreak havoc as he’s done here.”
“You’re right, of course. It’s only I worry about angering a man who is already filled with rage.”
“He’ll not come back here. There is nothing for him here but the painful end of my fist. You are safe.”
She felt safe. At least while Iain was here. But what would happen when he left? Because he would leave, and she would be left behind to deal with everything at the castle herself.
Iain was pleased with the progress of the castle over the last three weeks. The roof had been repaired, as well as the windows and the railing on the stairs. Maisy had straightened out the books, and it seemed they would be able to turn a profit as the castle had in the past.
And the nights—as well as a number of afternoons—in bed with Maisy had been divine.
There was not so much left for Iain to do. Hodge had even started working on a crew for The Rue’s next voyage. If Iain didn’t like spending his nights in bed with Maisy so much, he may have already gone.
He brushed her russet hair from her face where she slept next to him. She’d stopped leaving him in the mornings to sneak back to her own rooms. Abagail understood the way of husbands and wives and was not scandalized by their sharing a bed. Which was good, because Maisy’s lies had become a horror.
His wife enjoyed spending time in his bed. He made certain of it. But his stay here had already dragged out longer than he’d planned. Every morning he said it would be the day he left, but then she would smile at him and he would not say the words that would put their time at an end.
He couldn’t let it go on. It was cruel for both of them to nurture feelings they weren’t at liberty to have. He had purchased the cargo and had buyers waiting for their goods. He couldn’t wait any longer.
“It’s today isn’t it?” Maisy said, her voice low in the dim light of dawn.
He wanted to reassure her, but he had no reassurances to give.
“Aye. I’ve already put it off a week longer than I should have.”
“Jack is going to be devasted when you leave.”
He and Jack had become fast friends as they’d seen to the business of the castle and the tenants. He was quick to learn new things and everyone liked him. He could charm the wool from a sheep. Iain had even learned a few signs so he could communicate better.
Still, Iain didn’t think it was Jack’s feelings Maisy was really speaking of. It was easier to speak as if it were.
“Aye. That’s why I should not linger longer. We don’t want anyone to think I can stay.”
“Because you can’t stay.” Her statement came out as a question.
“No. My cargo is ready. I must go.”
“And you wish for us to stay here? It was not so bad living on the ship before.”
He chuckled. “You say that for it was not but a few days. When it is six months, it will be a different story.”
She let out a breath and continued to trail her fingers over his chest in a pattern only known to her.
“Besides, I need someone smart to see to the running of the castle and that is you.” He placed a kiss to her hair.
“If I was so smart, I wouldn’t have allowed myself to become attached to you.” It was the first thing she said that hinted at her feelings.
Feelings he shared but was not as brave as she to speak them.
He huffed a breath and pulled her closer. He wanted to tell her how much he’d miss her while he was gone. He wanted to promise to return, but it could be years before he’d be back this far north again. So he simply kissed her head again and squeezed her close.
When the sun was up, a light knock on the door disturbed their peace.
“Capt’n, the men have arrived to see to your trunks for the voyage.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He didn’t move from where he lay next to Maisy.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not come see you off. I think it would be best if I just go about my day.”
“Of course,” he agreed easily because he would do whatever was easiest for her. He wouldn’t ask her to wave to him from the dock for as long as he could see her. No, her way was probably best.
He tapped her chin until she looked up at him. Her golden eyes were swimming in unshed tears.
“Please don’t cry,” he begged.
“I’m not.” She sniffed as if willing the tears to stay where they could do no harm. It didn’t really help him. He was gutted to be causing her any amount of pain.
“Good lass,” he whispered, his own voice hoarse with emotion. “I shall write to you,” he said without considering.
“You don’t write.”
“True. But Hodge does. I’ll have him write it for me.”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry. There doesn’t seem to be anything right to say that will make this easier.”
“No, there isn’t. But it still needs to be done.”
He nodded and then before he could settle in again, he tossed back the bedclothes and sat up, dislodging her where she was lying on him.
He went to the table for some water to wash his face. He’d not shaved yesterday and he’d not do so today either. He’d allow his beard to grow again. There was no reason not to.
When he turned back to the bed, it was empty as was the space in his chest where his heart used to reside.