Chapter Fourteen

It had been a long time since Alexander had visited the Kitt estate. Back when his father was still alive and he and Christopher were teens. He didn't remember much of the details back then, but the estate that stood in front of him was surely worse for wear than afore.

The grass was unkempt, weeds climbed the walls and columns. The brick exterior of the house needed care. Pieces of brick and masonry had fallen or been worn away with time. The once whitewashed columns were now gray and dingy. The path that led up to the front of the estate was overrun with foliage that had crept onto the walkway, all but obscuring it from view.

Either Kitt couldn't afford the upkeep of the property, or he didn't care. Alexander assumed the latter considering how he wouldn't accept any monetary compensation for the sheep, barring tonight.

Alexander expected Kitt to demand payment right away, which he would have to hold him off for a bit until he could obtain the necessary funds. He didn't have them at this point in time.

A bleat sounded from the distance, the sound music to his ears. He was tempted to follow the call so that he could see how his flock fared, but the door opened and Kitt trilled his name.

"Ah, Your Grace," he dipped down dramatically, mocking the greeting. "Welcome to Kitt Manor."

Alexander ground his teeth, but otherwise ignored his irritation of the man, and tipped his hat at the louse. "Kitt. Ye summoned me."

"I did, yes. Please, do come in."

The man must definitely be low on funds if he didn't have a butler. Mayhap he didn't have time to hire one yet.

Inside, the state of the house did not fare much better than the outside. The musty smell assaulted Alexander's nostrils and he had to do everything in his power not to cover his nose with a gloved hand. The place was in dire need of a good cleaning. Dust covered everything, including the sheets still covering some of the furniture. The grimy draperies made the parlor, where Kitt had led him into, appear even darker. The faded wood could use another coat of stain to protect it and bring it back to its former glory.

"I apologize for the state of the house. My housekeeper has not arrived yet. I am eagerly waiting on her appearance."

Alexander said nothing as he waited for the man to get to the point.

"Sit, please." He pointed to a faded blue wing-backed chair that could very much use a date with the upholsterer.

But the sooner he acquiesced to whatever Kitt wanted, the sooner he would get this over with so he sat and couldn't stop the cough that erupted as dust kicked up and settled around him.

Kitt acted as if naught was amiss and sat in a chair on the opposite side of the unlit fireplace.

The chill in the room could be dispersed with a fire, but Kitt appeared to have no intention of getting one going.

"Ah," Kitt clapped his hands together. "Where are my manners? Would you like a drink? Brandy or cognac?"

Alexander thought about turning down the offer, imagining the state of the drink ware, but thought better of it and gave a quick nod. "Cognac, please."

Jumping to his feet, Kitt poured the drinks and after handing Alexander his glass, settled back into his chair.

"I feel as if we should toast."

Alexander lifted a questioning brow. "Whatever for?"

Kitt chuckled. "Right, right. You most certainly do not feel these are celebratory circumstances."

"Ye are correct." He had enough of small talk. He wanted to get back home to Millwool. Back to Clarissa. "Shall we get down to business?" he asked impatiently.

Clucking his tongue, Kitt wagged his finger in Alexander's direction. "So hasty, Your Grace."

"I do have other matters to attend to today."

Kitt sneered. "Ah, but none as important as this one, truly."

Alexander sighed. The cretin had him there and he knew it. Bastard.

He sipped his cognac, studying the liquid as he twirled it in his glass, drawing out the time.

The louse could use a good throttling and Alexander would be happy to be the one to give it. But he also knew that would not get him what he needed. He sat silently, waiting for Kitt to say whatever it was he had beckoned Alexander here for.

"Who knew that my flock of sheep would fetch such a price." His eyes met Alexander's. "It was quite the bidding war, I was told," he said with a smile.

Alexander ground his teeth. He didn't enjoy being goaded, especially by the likes of someone like Jacob Kitt, but he was between a rock and hard place. He quite literally was at Kitt's discretion.

"I myself was quite surprised at how much someone would pay for some sheep."

Hands fisted in his lap, he growled. "They are prize-winning sheep."

Kitt dismissed his statement with a wave of his small hand. "Still sheep, nonetheless. But the final price," he shook his head. "You were very determined, I will give you that."

"Ye ken I had no choice, but to pay whatever price was necessary to regain possession of my flock."

"Which brings me to why I invited you here this morn. "Just how badly do you want your sheep?"

"I have already bid an extraordinary price. I believe that shows ye how badly I need them back."

Kitt stood and walked to the dirty window, gazing through grime to look upon the field. "You have. I also know you do not have the money you set forth in your bidding." He walked back to his chair and sat down. "Now, I consider myself a fair man."

Alexander couldn't stop himself from scoffing at that statement. In the short time he'd known the man, Kitt and fair had never crossed his mind in the same sentence.

Kitt lifted a brow, but otherwise ignored Alexander's reaction. "That being said, I think it only fair I give you seven days to pay your bid."

"Seven days? A week?" Alexander needed time, there was no question in that, but even he didn't think a week would be enough to be able to gather what he needed.

"I can see by your reaction that you are having your doubts about the timeline. I think it is more than generous considering that you are supposed to have the money in hand when bidding." He clucked his tongue in admonishment.

Alexander glared at him. "And fair people dinna send a lackey to the auction to drive the price up to an astronomical amount purposely."

Kitt clutched at his heart as if he had just been shot. "Truly, I am offended by such an accusation. Have you any proof that I did such a horrendous thing? I was not even in attendance for the auction."

Alexander snapped his mouth shut. It was only making things worse, and he didn't need that right now. He needed to keep his head on and not fall into Kitt's goading. That was exactly what he wanted.

"What is it ye want?"

"I thought I made myself perfectly clear. You have seven days."

"And if I canna come up with the money in that time?"

"Ah, yes," he rubbed his hands together. "If you do not have the money on my doorstep on the seventh day, I will kill one of your precious sheep. One a day until the debt is paid.

Alexander flew out of his chair and grasped the collar of Kitt's shirt. "Ye wouldna dare," he ground out.

Kitt tugged on Alexander's wrists. "Tsk, tsk. I would be very careful on how you handle yourself from this point on, Your Grace. You would not want word of your behavior to get out amongst the city. Or to let everyone know that you are unable to pay your debts. What kind of duke would that make you? Unable to care for your people." He shook his head, feigning disappointment.

"The sheep have done nothing to ye."

"That is true. However, I do not care for sheep. They're loud, bleating creatures. Annoying me at all times of the day and night. I would be happy to see them gone—one way or another."

The pit in Alexander's stomach grew. Kitt wasn't lying. The thought of losing even one of his flock was heartbreaking. They didn't deserve to be treated in such a manner. Despair settled over him. What was he going to do?

Kitt tilted his head to the side as he watched Alexander. "Of course, there is one more thing you could do."

Alexander held his breath, waiting for Kitt to continue, kenning that he was not going to like what was coming out of the bastard's mouth.

"You can have your precious sheep back without paying me one pence."

Alexander pierced him with a glare, having an idea where this conversation was leading.

"One night. One night is all I need. You arrange for the lovely Clarissa Gordon to spend the night with me and your debt to me will be forgiven. You get your sheep back and we all go on our merry ways.

"Ye are a vile man. She is not an object to barter with. She is a woman. Not chattel." His stomach churned at Kitt's disgusting offer.

"See," Kitt wagged a finger. "That is where you are wrong. Do you want your sheep back or not?"

"Not over Miss Gordon's integrity. I have no say over what she can and canna do. That is up to her brother."

"Ah, do not play coy with me, Your Grace. I have seen the way you look at the girl. Anyone near you can tell how much you care for her. And I call your bluff on her brother. The two of you are best friends are you not?"

"Ye canna be serious."

"Oh, yes. I am. Quite serious as a matter of fact. Ponder my offer, Your Grace, but do not take too long." He tapped his watch. "Tick Tock. You have less than a week."

"Ye will ne'er, e'er lay one single filthy finger of yours on Clarissa Gordon. Mark my words."

Kitt shrugged. "Then you best be pooling your resources. You have got a lot of money to pay up. Unless, of course, the sheep." His fingers made the shape of a pistol, and he held it up to his temple and pulled the trigger, laughing manically.

The bastard was insane. But Alexander fully believed that he would indeed start killing his sheep if he didn't get what he wanted. Without another word, he spun on his heel and walked out the door.

Outside, he paused and breathed in deep, listening for the sounds of his sheep. They must have wandered further away from the estate because he could no longer hear them.

"I promise I will get ye home," he vowed to the wind.

*

Clarissa anxiously awaitedAlexander's return, but when he walked into the house, the tension rolling off his body was enough for her to not approach him and ask him how his meeting with Kitt went.

It was obvious that things did not go as planned.

The door slammed behind him, and he headed straight for his study.

She assumed he didn't get his sheep back. If he had, she would think his demeanor would be much more pleasant.

"Let's enjoy a cup of tea and let the men do whatever it is they need to do," Gwen said, coming up behind her. Nicholas was there too, though he continued on down the hall towards Alexander's study. "I think they have much to discuss." She looped her arm around Clarissa's and pulled her in the direction of the kitchen.

Clarissa was sick of tea. Every time something happened, she was told to enjoy a cup of tea and leave the men to their discussions. There had to be something she could do to help. Drinking tea was accomplishing naught. But what could she do?

Clarissa let Gwen lead her away. She was right, of course. There was naught she could do to help and would not even ken where to start if she did, no matter how much she wanted to.

"It appears things didna go well," she quipped, stating the obvious.

Gwen shrugged. "I dinna ken. But I am certain that Nicholas and Alexander will figure out what to do. They have a knack for getting what they want. Surely, this will be no different."

"Your Grace, Miss Gordon," Cook greeted them as they entered the kitchen. "Do ye need something?"

"Could we mayhap trouble ye for some tea?" Gwen asked.

Cook nodded and gave them a smile. "Aye, your grace, I can do that. Shall I bring it to the drawing room?" She suggested, not wanting the two of them hanging around the kitchen.

"That would be lovely. Thank ye," Gwen said and tugged on Clarissa's arm to follow her.

She would have much preferred to take tea in the library. Sitting on a chaise lounge with a hot cup of tea and a book in her lap sounded like the perfect way to spend the afternoon—and try to get Alexander off her mind.

"I see your brow furrowed in worry, Clarissa. Dinna fash. They will come up with a plan." She sat in one of the chairs and patted the one next to her for Clarissa to do the same.

"The auction was their plan and that did no' go as expected." She wrung her hands together. She didn't want to sit. Her nerves were frazzled. She was on edge, so she paced the floor.

"Ye canna do anything about it right now, dear Clarissa. Sit," she commanded gently.

"I dinna think I can. What is going to happen?"

Gwen shrugged. "Who can say? I most definitely canna. It really is up to Alexander to figure it out. And I am certain he will, especially with Nicholas's help. Plus, he has Gunn, Finlay, and Malcolm here to help even further. When all of them put their big, stubborn heads together, they can find a solution to any problem."

Clarissa couldn't help but laugh at Gwen's description of the men. "'Tis true. But it doesna lessen the worry I feel." She collapsed into the chair beside Gwen. "My concern is rising as the hours pass. Why is that?"

Gwen gave her a knowing smile and leaned closer. "I think ye ken the answer to that."

She studied her sister-in-law. The age difference between them was only a handful of years, but she seemed so much wiser than Clarissa. A lot of that was due to how quickly she had to grow up to care for her siblings. A situation Clarissa had thankfully never found herself in. She would be forever grateful to Nicholas for taking such good care of her and their siblings when papa had passed.

Yes, she took over the care of her siblings while Nicholas was away, but the situation was far different. They had the resources needed to provide for themselves. Gwen did not.

Alexander had not had the same hardships as she and her siblings had weathered, but he'd had his fair share of things he had to overcome. The loss of his mother at a very young age—she had died whilst giving birth to Christopher—and then later, the death of his father as well. But she imagined that the biggest thing for him to overcome was his brother, who went through life as though he hadn't a care in the world. Alexander had done his best, but when the person does not want to be helped and will not see reason, there is not much one can do.

Yet still, Clarissa saw the way Alexander fought—for his estate, his people, even for his brother—failure was not in his vocabulary.

It was one of the qualities she admired most about the man. Of course, his dashing looks and muscular frame added to that.

She felt her cheeks flame and she brought her hands up to cup her cheeks.

Gwen raised her brows at her, a smirk tilting the corner of her mouth up.

Clarissa sighed. Gwen did indeed ken her too well. She was falling in love with Alexander Campbell. Her brother would be furious, but she believed Gwen would be happy for her. Lord knew, she already suspected as much anyhow.

"Surely, they will be out soon. Mayhap, we can invite them in for a cup of tea as well?" Gwen said over the rim of her teacup. "Alexander especially must be parched after his visit earlier."

"I dinna doubt that, but I also dinna doubt that the whisky is flowing quite freely in Alexander's study," Clarissa quipped. Plus, she had noted his aversion to tea during their stay. It was near the bottom of his list of drinks to partake in.

"Ah, ye may be correct on that front. Still, I would wager that if ye offered Alexander a cup of tea when he emerges from his study, he would certainly take ye up on it."

Would he? She wanted to believe he would.

"Well, why dinna we find out?" She nodded towards the drawing room door and the men's voices in the hallway filled the air.

"I canna."

"Pfft," Gwen dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "Dinna fash about your brother. I will deal with him."

Clarissa was sure she would. Gwen had a way of wrapping Nicholas around her pinky, and he would do her bidding no matter what she asked of him.

"I have a better idea than tea." A twinkle darkened her eyes and Clarissa could only imagine what activity she had conjured up. "Nicholas, darling," she called out as the group of men neared the drawing room doors.

He entered, a broad smile breaking out on his face as his eyes met Gwen's.

"Aye, love?" He bent and kissed her cheek.

"'Tis such a lovely day outside. Why dinna we promenade? Alexander and Clarissa can join us."

"I dinna think that is the best of ideas, love. Alexander's mind is a bit pre-occupied at the moment.

Clarissa's head snapped up and met Gwen's gaze. The woman knew exactly what she was doing. And from the look on Nicholas's face, he was onto her scheme as well.

"All the more reason for Alexander to promenade, then. The fresh air will help to take his mind off of things."

Nicholas sighed in defeat, knowing that somehow, some way, Gwen was going to get what she wanted. He could never deny her.

"Or maybe Alexander has some pressing matters he needs to attend to," Nicholas pushed.

Alexander poked his head in the door. "Did I hear my name?" he asked curiously.

"Aye. Gwen would like to promenade."

"Lovely. 'Tis the perfect time of day for such a venture. Ye will enjoy it." He turned to continue down the hall, but Nicholas called him back.

"Alexander, it appears that this shall be a double promenade."

Alexander's brows furrowed in confusion. "Pardon?"

"Dinna play daft. Clarissa will be joining us on our promenade. Ye should as well and escort her."

He cleared his throat. "Me? Ye want me to…" He let the words fall away as his eyes bounced from Nicholas to her.

Clarissa thought her cheeks flamed before but now they were surely on fire. This was so embarrassing. Gwen was so direct in stating what she wanted. And surprisingly so, Nicholas did not put up a fight. Was he actually supporting Gwen's suggestion?

"Come along, ladies. Let us enjoy the day." Nicholas held out his arm for Gwen to slip hers into the crook of his elbow.

Alexander stood frozen in his spot, and Clarissa remained seated, her eyes darting back and forth between them and wondering if she was dreaming.

"We havena got all day, Clarissa," Nicholas said impatiently. "Alexander, do be a gentleman and see to my sister."

That seemed to snap Alexander out of whatever it was that had him rooted to the floor, and after one last look at Nicholas, he grinned at Clarissa and offered her his elbow.

She returned a shy smile as she accepted his proffered arm.

"I dinna ken what is happening with your brother," he leaned close and whispered. "But I willna let the moment pass."

"I understand if ye dinna have time."

A look of frustration marred his features, but he quickly masked it and gave her a pleasant smile. "Those matters arena going anywhere. I can deal with them later. As Nicholas said, we've an afternoon to enjoy."

His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and Clarissa knew the worry he was feeling. It was truly unfair of her to occupy his time when he could be putting it to better use.

Alexander read her worry as hesitation and he pulled back. "If ye would rather no' promenade, I understand."

"Nay," she called, a little too quickly. "'Tis no' that. I ken ye have more important things on your mind. I dinna want to take ye away from that."

His shoulders relaxed and he gave her a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes this time. "Trust me, I will enjoy this much more than the tasks I need to do later."