“My brother would have inherited this place when he became a man. Now there will be nothing for him if I don’t continue with my claim.”
“’Twould not be a terrible thing for yer brother to make his own way in the world. Plenty of Scotsmen have moved to other places to start a new life. Times are changing, and yer brother might not even want to remain.”
She chewed on that for a while and realized ’twas much too far in the future to worry about. “Verra well. I accept yer offer.”
The laird actually seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Good. Now we must spend time going over the books and speaking with the household staff and tenants. See where we stand with all of this. I intend to leave within a fortnight to return to Argyll. The winter will be arriving soon, and I dinnae want to be on the road when it comes.”
“Will I receive a salary?”
“Of course. I will pay ye what I would pay any land steward I employ. Ye, in turn, will be responsible for seeing that the land prospers. If there are any problems ye cannot deal with, ye must contact me for guidance.”
“A salary is fine, but I need something for our future. I would like a percentage of the profit from the land.”
MacNeil’s brows rose. “Indeed? And ye think yer in a strong-enough position to ask for this?”
“Aye. I believe so. Ye said yerself ye didn’t want to spend much time in Fife. I am here and willing to take on the responsibility. I have experience and can start now. ’Twill save ye time to search for a land steward.”
“Ye are clever, I will give ye that, lass. Verra well. A percentage as well as a salary. We will settle on an amount before I leave.” Despite his words that she would need guidance, she was grateful to have someone to turn to in the event there was an issue she had difficulty with. “I agree. But I must warn you that I will not give up my quest to prove the land is mine.”
Evan groaned. “Just dinnae let that interfere with yer duties to me.” He glanced behind him at the window, where the rain continued to pour down. “I suggest we take time to visit with the household staff while we are stuck inside.” He nodded at the desk. “I’m sure ye will find something to write with in there.” He moved away from the desk. “After our interviews, we will go over the books.”
It appeared Laird Evan MacNeil of Argyll did not waste time. She scrambled from her seat and pulled open desk drawers until she had a pen, paper, and inkwell. “I assume we will summon the staff members here?”
“Aye.” He rounded the desk and settled in the large leather chair. He looked very much the laird. His bulk filled out the chair, but with muscle, certainly not corpulence. He shoved away the hair that had fallen on his forehead, only to have it settle there again. “Go fetch Mrs. Brody. We will begin with her.”
Well, then.
Laird MacNeil was taking control from the start. That was fine with her, for now. As soon as he did what he felt he needed to do, the sooner he would be gone from Fife and leave her in peace.
It didn’t take her long to locate the housekeeper, who was more than happy to answer the laird’s summons. She took one of the chairs facing the desk, and Katie took the other one, pen poised over the paper.
“Thank you for answering our summons, Mrs. Brody. I want ye to ken that Miss Stirling will be assuming the position of land steward, which will include supervision of the castle, as well.”
The women’s brows rose. “Indeed? There is not to be a mon taking care of the property, my laird?”
“Nay. Miss Stirling has experience with her da’s property, and I believe she will do just fine in the position.”
Apparently not completely convinced, Mrs. Brody nodded and offered Katie a slight smile. “I am glad to be working with ye, lass.”
“Thank ye.”
Evan began the interview, impressing Katie with how thorough his questions were. ’Twas no wonder his own clan and property had prospered, despite the havoc that had run through Scotland, mostly the Highlands, the last seventy-five years.
She wrote down all the information she thought she would need. Soon the cook, Mrs. MacDuff, and then Mr. MacDuff from the stables—no immediate relation, Katie had discovered—arrived to answer questions. Katie continued to write furiously until a light tap sounded on the library door.
“Aye, enter,” Laird MacNeil shouted.
Meggie opened the door and peeked around, her gaze settling on Katie. “Oh, mistress. Ye have a visitor.”
Already? She couldn’t believe her household had already begun to arrive. “Who is it, Meggie?”
She twisted her hands and looked from MacNeil to her. “The lad Finlay is at the door with his wee sister, Agnes. He said he left Stirlingshire right after we did. The little one appears to be ill, mistress.”
Chapter Six
Mistress Stirling jumped from her seat, set the paper and pen down on Evan’s desk, and ran from the room before he could say a single word to her. He looked over at the stablemaster, MacDuff, who they were in the middle of interviewing. “It appears our interview will resume at another time.”
The man nodded, stood, and left the room. With nothing else to do at the moment, Evan followed him out of the library and down the corridor, where he was greeted with a great deal of wailing.