Elle visibly paled. “You met him? Does he know I’m here? Did he threaten you?” The words had come out in a rush.
“He didn’t say anything that frightened me. Though, I do not make it my business to help random damsels in distress.” His cheek ticked at the lie. “You and Ailean could help me. And if he’s any good with woodworking and ship building, it could mean a real career for him beyond crofting.” He moved closer to her then, bending down so he was at eye level. “Elle, I am one of the few men in this country that a man like McKenzie can’t touch. Ye’ll not get a better offer.”
Damn him and his good offer and his sound reasoning. It was true. Every word. The problem was that she didn’t want a man’s help. She’d only known him a few hours. What if Blair turned out to be as bad or worse than Malcolm? A shiver ran down her spine. If she consented, she opened herself up to being hurt.
“It’s not that it isn’t a good offer,” she started.
He sat back, a frown playing on his lips. “You have another?”
“Another what?”
“Offer.” He reached over and grabbed a log to toss on the fire. “A man who has promised to marry you. Or a position you’re about to take.”
“If a man was about to marry me, I wouldn’t have been in that boat,” she said, spitting out the words. “And no one will give me a position.”
“Then why not take what I’m offering?” He leaned toward her again as he waited for what she would say next.
She stared back. Several seconds passed before, swallowing, she answered, “That last time I put my life in someone else’s hands, it did not go well.”
Blair closed his eyes for just a moment. She saw raw anger pull at his features before he masked it again. “I see,” he said, sounding incredibly calm. Had she misunderstood his expression? “And I understand, I think.” He reached out his hand. Slowly she placed her small pale fingers in his. “But ye have to think of Ailean and yerself. Ye’re not makin’ it on yer own.”
Tears welled in her eyes. A single one broke free and trailed down her cheek. “I ken.”
“We’ll draw up a contract and we’ll sign it. Agree upon hours, wages, and money owed. When the debt is clear, we’ll renegotiate or ye can go. My brother runs a giant staff. I’ll see ye get positions far away from here.” He gave her fingers a small squeeze. It was a dream. It had to be. Or else, the nightmare her life had turned into could be over.
Another tear slipped out. “And ye’ll put that in the contract too?”
One corner of his mouth turned up. “Aye, Elle, I’ll put it in the contract.”
She nodded, but a niggling doubt was creeping in. “All right, I’ll do it. But before I sign, I need to ken. How many guns de ye have?”
He was still holding her hand but he sat back on his heels. “What?”
Elle had been afraid to tell him. He’d change his mind when he understood what a threat McKenzie was. But maybe that was for the better. Her scars itched, the ones McKenzie had left on her back and legs. If he never got involved, they’d all be safer. She realized it mattered to her that he not get hurt. “The last time the doctor treated me, McKenzie came to his house waving a pistol. He shot one of his dogs.”
Blair let go of her hand as he stood. She tried to keep her face free of any expression. But he was about to kindly, or not so kindly, tell her to leave. She didn’t blame him and she’d vowed that she could get them through this mess on her own. Still, a vision of being warm, fed, and safe had danced in front of her eyes. Honestly, she’d pictured Blair’s arm about her waist, his body close to hers.
“He did what?”
She shook her head. No more tears. “He’s ruthless. I’ve always known that. But I—” What? What did she say next, that she was a fool? That she’d been frightened and alone? That she wasn’t prepared for just how cruel a man could be.
“Later, ye will tell me everything he did tae ye.” Blair was back in front of her then. “But for right now, ye’ll eat a nice dinner and then ye’ll rest. And yes, I’ve got plenty of ammunition.”
Relief washed over her. “Blair, ye can’t get involved.”
He leaned toward her. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her. Her breath caught with the realization that she wanted him to. Instead he softly leaned his forehead against hers. “I am now the largest land owner in the province and Malcolm McKenzie’s direct competition. If everything ye’ve told me is true. McKenzie and I are going to tangle no matter if I help ye or not.”
“Oh,” she whispered. He was right. McKenzie’s entire business was predicated on him having no competition. The old laird had never been a threat. He ruled this province because no one dared to cross him. “Ye might not. He owns the crofts and leases them while ye’re going to ship goods. Yer businesses can exist separately.”
The latch clicked and Blair rose just as the door opened then and Ailean came striding back in with a full bucket. “I got it, Laird Sinclair.”
“Just Blair will do and thank ye.” He gave the boy a smile. “Are ye up fer feeding the hogs?”
Ailean gave him a nod. “Aye, I can do that.” Then the boy bounded back out the door.
“Is he always such a hard worker?” Blair turned back to her.
Pride made her chest swell. “Aye, he’s a good boy.”