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Jamie finally spoke. “Thank ye, Mrs. Parker, for the welcome, although I am not coming tae visit again. Hello, Miss Parker.” He nodded his head in Amelia’s direction, and she crossed her arms. “Laird Jamie.”
“Mr. Fletcher and I are just returning from Brechin where we’ve purchased a herd of sheep tae begin the sheep farm in the next few months. The ground will be ready come February or March for us tae pull out the rocks and roots. We saw you here, and Mr. Fletcher thought it would be polite tae greet ye.” He glanced quickly at Amelia before returning his gaze to her mother’s face.
Henrietta looked over at Amelia before turning back to Jamie and replying, “Well, doesn’t that sound exciting? And who will shepherd the woolen beasts?”
Jamie rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at Mr. Fletcher. “We’ve been looking to hire shepherds from in town who are traveling, looking for work, but we’ve not had much success, I’m afraid. There was an old man who was a shepherd, but only one, and his age may be rough on him in this hilly area we’ve set aside for the pasture.”
Amelia coughed to make her presence known. “Why don’t you hire him, and then send him a few young people from the surrounding farms to learn the trade? That way, you don’t need to add more people to the Kinnaird land, which will take money away from the farmers, and you can grow the trade from within.”
Mr. Fletcher slapped his knee and laughed in joviality. “By God, that’s a good idea Laird Jamie. I know the widow Mrs. Kinnaird has 6 young boys, and while they help her run the farm, she could allow one or two of them tae learn the new trade. And they won’t be far from home. What say ye?”
Jamie smiled at Henrietta and Amelia, and Amelia felt that familiar tingle, and she shoved it away. “Why yes, that’s brilliant, Amelia. I mean Miss Parker. I will speak tae the widow Kinnaird today. Come Fletcher, we ought tae send word tae the old shepherd afore he heads tae the next town.”
“Aye,” Mr. Fletcher replied, and mounted his horse again. “Goodbye, Mrs. Parker. I will be back tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Mr. Fletcher. Yes, I have the money for you. And goodbye, Laird Jamie.”
“Miss Parker, would ye like tae return with me tae the castle?” Jamie pinned her with his green gaze, and just for a moment, Amelia felt like it was only them two in the whole world.
