Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney

Author:Mary Jo Putney [Putney, Mary Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2021-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Signy froze at his words, jarred out of her sensual haze. Marriage. Forever. Indignantly she pushed herself away from him. “No! You may think I’m the perfect wife for you, but that doesn’t mean that you’re the perfect husband for me. I’ve spent my whole life taking care of other people and their needs. I’m tired of putting everyone else first!”

She hadn’t realized how much anger she’d buried until the words came blazing out of her. “I want to be selfish and let everyone solve their own problems rather than letting me do the work so they can then tell me how wonderful I am! I want to be free!”

Ramsay flinched and his arms dropped. “You’re right,” he said, his voice tight. “My grandfather and I have been far too willing to take advantage of your talents and loyalty.”

His words calmed some of her anger. “My service was offered willingly, but I’ve reached the end of my willingness.”

He nodded acceptance. “How can the balance be righted? What do you want? What, if anything, would you like from me?”

No one had ever asked her that, so she had to stop and think. “I’ve spent my whole life living at the end of the world, and I don’t want to die here without ever seeing any other places. I want to travel. I doubt I’ll make it to Constantinople, but at least Paris? First I want to go to London and study with an artist who will teach me how to really paint, and I want to have the time to learn how to do it properly.”

His face like carved marble, he said, “You’re right. It’s unfair that I had all the opportunities because I’m male.”

“I have often thought the same,” Signy said dryly.

“When do you want to leave Thorsay?”

She hadn’t thought much about leaving because the future was so unclear, but Ramsay’s acceptance was making it seem possible. “I’m willing to stay another three months to help you become settled into your position as the laird. Then I’ll be off.”

His voice low, he asked, “Will you ever return, or will you be gone for good?”

The thought of leaving Thorsay forever was like an icicle in her heart. She drew a deep breath, a little unnerved that her vague dreams were somehow becoming concrete. “I’ll return someday. Thorsay is my home. I have a house and a horse and friends. Maybe you can take Fiona? I don’t think she’d enjoy traveling.”

“Of course. I’ll enjoy her company, though I’m not sure how Odin will feel. He might storm off to the stables and ignore me ever after.” He hesitated. “Forgive me for asking, but do you have enough money to travel as you wish?”

“I’ve saved most of the salary the old laird paid me, and in London I can stay in Thorsay House indefinitely. I’ve handled the laird’s correspondence with the couple who run the house. I look forward to meeting them in person.”

“You’ll like the Browns and the house is pleasant and well located.

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