The Marriage Contract by Cathy Maxwell

Author:Cathy Maxwell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub, pdf
Tags: Historical
ISBN: 9780380808335
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2001-01-01T13:00:00+00:00

“Yes, I know,” Major Lambert said. “We were in school together.”

Anne’s mouth almost dropped open. From their attitudes, she would have thought they’d never known each other before. “Is this true?” she asked Aidan.

“Oh, yes,” he said, helping himself to a tankard of ale. “We even traveled in the same London circles for a time until I inherited my title. A title is something Lambie has always wanted. Tell me, Lambie, are you any closer to your holy grail?”

The officer stiffened. “I don’t like that name.”

“I know,” Aidan answered, and smiled. “Lambie.”

Anne positioned herself between them. “Do you wish a glass of ale, Major? My husband brews it himself.

Or would you prefer wine?”

“Actually, I have no fondness for the local brews,” Major Lambert said, condescendingly. “But my palate would appreciate a glass of wine, my lady.”

Norval had come in to set the table with pewter dishes. Anne turned to him and brightly said, “Norval, please bring out a bottle of wine.”

“Wine, my lady?” he asked, confused.

“I’ll get it, Norval,” Aidan answered. “I need to bring it up from the wine cellar.” There was a touch of irony in his words because Anne had not found any such place and doubted it existed. But she assumed there must be wine somewhere, and she was right.

A moment later, Aidan returned with a very dusty bottle of red wine and two glasses. At the same time, a group of soldiers marched past the window on their way to the sea path. It chilled Anne to have them climbing all over the estate. She prayed Deacon was wise enough to avoid them.

Having sensed her distress, her husband pressed a glass in her hand. “Drink.”

She lifted her gaze to his. “Thank you.”

His fingers brushed hers and he leaned forward. “Courage,” he whispered in her ear.

“What did you say?” Major Lambert asked.

Aidan picked up the other glass and offered it to their unwanted guest. “I was reminding my wife of her unconventional jewelry.”

Only then did Anne remember she still wore her seaweed necklace. With a sound of distress, she set down her glass and pulled it off. “You must think me silly,” she told Major Lambert. “I was playing with the crofter children on the beach.”

“I thought it was a touch unconventional,” he admitted.

“My wife is unconventional,” Aidan said, a trace of pride in his voice.

“And lovely,” the major added. “I would not have thought you so fortunate, Lord Tiebauld.” He raised his glass in Anne’s direction as a toast.

“Yes,” Aidan agreed, but a tightness had appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Flustered by the unexpected praise, Anne asked, “Are you married, Major?” She picked up her glass and took an unusually large swallow, needing the fortification.

“No, he’s waiting for a rich wife,” Aidan answered. He sat down at his place at the table. Through the windows past his shoulders, the soldiers trudged up the path—empty-handed.

“I do not have the luxury of your money, Tiebauld,” the major said baldly.

“Or a title. ” Aidan couldn’t seem to resist another dig.

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