“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. “Andfairpeople 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 isonemore 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.
