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“Oh, I understand. I understand quite well. You don’t think you need to make this marriage. ”
It sounded like an accusation, and the shift in tone confused her. She shrugged nervously. “I suppose I don’t. ”
“And I tell you that you do,” he said sharply.
Her confusion turned to panic. He’d tricked her into confessing her aversion to their marriage. “But I thought you didn’t want it either … ?”
But instead of responding, he only stared coldly, and so she prattled on. “I’m happy, you see. Our farm is thriving. And I’m very busy—”
“Fool girl. You have no idea how deeply in debt your father has fallen. ”
She bristled. There was nothing that nettled her more than being called foolish. She was smart and clever, yet it seemed the men of the world were blind to it. “On the contrary. I know my father’s debts well. And they are not so great as to force me into wedlock. ”
“Forced, are you?” There was a sneer in his narrow eyes.
She wasn’t so impetuous as to take the bait, and took their argument in a different direction. “We’ve made improvements recently, and have begun to turn a profit. ”
“A grand success, is it? Your precious wee farm?” His voice and expression were flat, and she didn’t know how to read him.
“I believe it will be a success,” she replied, sounding more confident than she felt.
“I’d thought you might want a man like me to help. But perhaps not. ” He stood stiffly at the door, holding it open for her. He’d been difficult to read, but this hint couldn’t have been more blatant.
She scurried out. “Good day, then. ”
He gave her a curt nod. “Good luck to you, Miss Farquharson. And to your farm. ”
Fraser shut the door on Elspeth’s back. Whatever he’d expected her reaction to their betrothal to be, it hadn’t been that.
She was a queer little creature, but curious and clever in a way that made him feel awake and alive. It was an unexpected pleasure to encounter such a mind, and in a woman, of all creatures.
He went back to his chair, retrieved his folio, and idly flipped through its pages. What had she been looking for? Had she found it?
Scooting back, he kicked his feet up on his desk. The chit was sneaky and willful. Not unlike himself, he thought with amusement. Though he’d yet to figure out what her game was, he found himself enjoying it very much indeed.
Leaning back, he rested his hands atop his head and smiled. He was enjoying this little game, but not as much as he was going to enjoy watching that pretty porcelain face submit to his will. Never before had he considered taking a wife, but he decided he’d quite like having this one. And he would have her.
Because, contrary to her thoughts on the matter, Elspeth would find herself needing him. And he knew exactly what manner of help he could provide.
Chapter 25
Aidan caught up with Elspeth just as she was dashing from Fraser’s offices. He ducked into a shadowy doorway, hiding just in time. Damned if the woman wasn’t exactly where he feared she’d be.
Had she met with Fraser? And might she actually have discovered something? She was the brightest person he knew—man or woman—and nothing she did would surprise him.
She stormed down the alley, turning onto a larger street, and Aidan sprang out, quick to catch up before she got away. She was headed toward the water, without a pause in her step, or even a cowl to conceal her face. Rather, there was purpose in her stride, rushing to the docks as though she were a captain with a ship on fire.
What was the woman up to? She had such fanciful notions, come from reading too many books. She was clearly on some sort of mission, which meant she was bound for some sort of trouble.
Had she no fear? She was utterly dauntless. It was maddening. And, he had to admit, he couldn’t help but admire her for it.
They reached the harbor, and as she slowed her pace, he let more space grow between them. Shadowing her was proving fascinating, and he wasn’t yet ready to be discovered.
It wasn’t until she stopped that he fully realized where they were. He ducked behind a pillar, leaning against it, his heart in his throat, when he saw what it was she was staring at.
The Endeavor.
He looked from the ship back to Elspeth, and found he couldn’t tear his eyes from her. He knew how to read people—it was what’d helped him survive captivity—and he knew that she was thinking of him.
