Chapter Seventeen
Clarissa’s heart dropped.She would not be the cause of Alexander losing all that he held dear. If Jacob Kitt wanted her to spend time with him, then she would do so. She had not heard of either Alexander or Nicholas mentioning a deadline.
She had heard whisperings that Alexander had visited the bank to try to garner the funds needed to pay off his bid but didn’t ken the outcome. Hearing him say that he would need to use Castle Millwool as collateral to secure the loan was something that she was against. What if something went awry and he couldn’t pay back the money? His home would be turned over to the bank.
As duke he would be ruined.
It was a horrible situation to be in and Clarissa did not wish that on Alexander in any way. But she had just overheard Alexander and Nicholas’s conversation. To save her, Alexander was willing to put his whole livelihood in the bank’s possession.
She would not allow it. For once in her life, she knew the solution and planned to take matters into her own hands. Making her way up to her bedroom, she dug out a piece of parchment and quickly scribbled a note to Jacob Kitt, agreeing to his terms. But she would have to be careful of her movements. If Alexander even had a hint of suspicion of what she was doing, he would stop her before she could carry out her plan.
To not raise any suspicions, she added instructions to have his coachman wait on a nearby road and she would meet them there. Tomorrow morning at nine.
Signing the letter, she sealed it and sought out one of the housemaids, and after making her promise discretion, gave her the missive to deliver to the Kitt estate.
Naught else could be done but for her to wait. On the morrow, she would give Kitt what he wanted—a day with her—and then be done with it. Alexander would get his sheep back and then they could move forward. Nicholas could no longer deny that Alexander was unable to provide for her as needed since Alexander would have his livelihood back.
All will be well. And finally, finally, she and Alexander would be together.
As she retired for the night and laid down in bed, pulling the soft duvet up to her chin, visions of her and Alexander together danced in her mind. She pictured how happy and thankful he would be to her. He would propose and they would have a grand wedding.
She fell asleep with a smile on her lips and Alexander’s handsome face behind her lids.
*
“What is yourplanned course of action?” Malcolm asked as the friends gathered in Alexander’s study.
Alexander regarded his friend, shame settling on him like a cloak. He should not be having these discussions. He should never have been in this situation.Damn ye, Christopher,he thought.
He pushed his hands through his hair. “I am embarrassed to make such a confession, but as I dinna have the funds needed, Ihave naught choice but to go to the bank and offer up Millwool as collateral.”
The multiple intakes of breath from each of his friends hit him like straight shots to the gut.
“Are ye sure, brother?” Nicholas asked, concern etched across his face.
Alexander nodded. “Aye. I willna allow that bloody American to lay a single fecking hand on Clarissa. No’ now. No’ e’er. Nor will he harm my flock. If he thought his threats to start killing my sheep would have me agreeing to his terms regarding Clarissa, he is sorely mistaken. I will see the ground run with his blood before such a thing happens.” He pushed up from his chair and paced the floor of his study. “If ’tis Millwool that will get me out of this predicament, then I will do just that.”
“Just how much do we ken about this Kitt fellow?” Malcolm asked, rubbing his chin.
“No’ much,” Alexander answered. “I am no’ e’en certain when he arrived on British soil.”
“Is anyone aware of what he did in America? His position there. His job.”
Alexander shook his head. “Nay. I have naught idea of those things.” He paused in front of the window and leaned on the sill, his gaze roaming over the fields in the distance that used to be occupied with his sheep. “Judging by how he has interacted here since he has made himself known, I am going to wager a guess that he was just as conniving in America as he is here.”
“I would say that is a fair conclusion,” Finlay added. “One doesna suddenly become pond scum. I think if ye,” he dipped his head in Malcolm’s direction, “looked into his past, ye would uncover more of the same type of schemes.”
“Aye. I agree with ye, Finlay,” Malcolm murmured. “I will see what I can uncover about him.”
Alexander nodded. “Thank ye. Though it does me no good at this point in time. Whatever ye may uncover willna help me in my current situation. There just isna enough time.”
“All right, back to the bank. Are ye certain they will give ye what ye need and in time?” Nicholas asked, concern creasing his brows.
“Aye. When I spoke with them, they stated as long as I offered up Millwool as collateral that there would be no issue and I would receive funding without pause. That is what I will do.”
“I am no’ sure that is the proper course of action,” Gunn interjected.
“Why no’?”
