Uphill Battle

I mpatient to get the meeting with his father over and done, Rowan drummed his fingers on the polished railing as he watched the Scot mount the carpeted stairs. He'd have to have a word with the fellow about spending too much time alone in the foyer with Willow, but that discussion would have to keep for another day. After all, what could happen in a few minutes? Willow was a sensible, biddable girl who knew her duty and Niven King apparently spent over an hour with his employer every evening when he returned home. Surely the Highlander wouldn't have the temerity to dally with a duke's daughter?

Still, Rowan got the feeling the Scot and his sister liked each other. Speaking of which, he'd have to work out some way to visit Lady Daisy Hawkins. He wanted to press on with his suit and secure her promise to marry before he left for war. He rather liked the notion of having a woman pine for him while he was away.

"Good evenin', Lord Rowan," the Scot said when he reached the landing.

"About time," he mumbled, leading the way to his father's chamber.

Ash and Thorne still stood to attention at the foot of the bed. Rowan rolled his eyes. His brothers were helpless without him. "Here he is at last, Papa," he declared.

"Niven," his father declared with unseemly enthusiasm. "How did things go today?"

"Fairly well, Yer Grace," the Scot replied, accepting the gesture of a handshake. "We freed up the Shield to ferry troops across the Channel."

"No ordnance to transport thus far?"

"Nay. I'm scheduling arrivals and departures so we'll be able to put a bigger ship at Wellington's disposal when that need arises."

"Excellent. It will have a negative effect on profits, but we must do our patriotic duty."

For the first time in his life, Rowan felt distinctly inadequate. His father and this Scottish commoner had no trouble communicating about important matters of which Rowan had no knowledge. Of course, it was his own fault. He'd never taken an interest in the shipping business. Army life was more up his alley. Noblemen left that sort of thing to the middle class. However, perhaps he should get more involved. After all, Withenshawe Shipping was his birthright but he had no idea how it operated. Lady Daisy Hawkins might be impressed if she thought he was playing a vital role in the war effort.

"I plan to accompany Mr. King to the shipyards tomorrow," he declared.

"As do we," Ash and Thorne parroted.

"Good," their father replied. "I was about to suggest that very thing. Just don't get in Niven's way."

His innards in knots, Niven took his leave after informing the Three Trees he'd be leaving promptly at seven in the morning. It was of some satisfaction when news of the early departure left them with mouths agape. However, he'd have to win them over if he was to stand a chance of gaining their approval for courting Willow.

Perhaps he was mad for even considering the possibility. However, his cousin Kenneth had married a commoner, like his father before him, so why couldn't a commoner marry a duke's daughter?

The blissful moments of their first kiss had changed his outlook on life. His determination to be a lifelong bachelor was now patently absurd. He'd been attracted to Lady Willow Halstead since the first moment he'd set eyes on her. Attracted didn't adequately describe his feelings. His body had no trouble responding vigorously to her, but it was more than that. He liked her and her sense of humor. She was a woman to be cherished who was never far from his thoughts. Certain she wasn't a fickle lass, he wanted her for wife, something he'd never considered with any other female of his acquaintance.

As he stripped and climbed into bed, he cringed at the memory of the duke's cautionary words to his sons and the resentment on their faces. Pursuit of Willow was going to be an uphill battle.

Willow waited until she heard her brothers grumbling as they left their father's chamber. Kissing him goodnight had become a ritual but she didn't want to share their special time with the Three Trees.

Reassured her brothers had ensconced themselves in the library, she slipped in to see her Papa.

He looked tired, but the color was returning to his face. "How did your meeting go?" she asked, determined not to be left out of decisions about the business.

"Niven has things well in hand," he replied. "I just hope my sons don't interfere too much."

Willow was already aware her father thought highly of Niven King, but the knowledge had taken on more importance since the kiss. "Will Rowan replace him?"

"Rowan?" he asked, eyes wide. "I love your brother but he has no head for business."

"But he plans to get involved before he sails for Europe?"

"He'll show up and put in the time, but I've given Niven full control."

"Rowan won't be happy about that."

"Can't be helped."

Willow hesitated before taking a risk. "So, you hope Niven King will be working for you for a good while?"

Her father narrowed his eyes. "Niven isn't an employee but why do you ask?"

Willow was confused. Not an employee? "I'm just concerned things run smoothly so you don't have to worry," she replied with a shrug.

It wasn't a lie in the true sense of the word. She wanted her father to be fully recovered before he ventured back to the shipyards.

He took hold of her hand when she bent to kiss him goodnight. "Niven's a fine man," he said. "And he'll be a wonderful husband to some lucky woman. But you're destined for better things, my dear."

Nodding woodenly in agreement, she managed to control the tears until she reached the landing. She'd hoped her Papa would be on her side but he seemed to be of the same mind as the Three Trees whose loud voices could still be heard coming from the library. They were probably voicing their displeasure that they'd already polished off the house's entire supply of brandy.