For Love or Loyalty: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 1 (20 page)

“Father, just listen,” Rob said. “I will not be inheriting the estate for many years. Can I not do as I please until then?”

“Absolutely not,” the elder responded. “You need to learn all there is to know in managing this great estate. ’Tis an honor, my boy, and you act like it is a burden.”

“I would not be so unwilling if you would only be open-minded to my ideas.”

Lauren bent to grab another sheet. She shook it out, now distracted by the voices. She swallowed and prepared to hear the rest. They spoke loud enough for all the house servants to hear.

“Out of the question. We cannot have paid field workers. We would go broke in less than a year.”

“If we must continue to prosper on the backs of slaves, then ensure they are better treated. Mr. Fairbanks is wearing them out in their prime. They will last longer and produce more if they are not whipped, beaten, and half-starved to death. You do not even treat your horse half as bad. How can you do this to God’s people?”

“Tell him, Rob,” Lauren whispered to herself. She wanted to clap for him but dared not. Instead, she bowed her head and whispered a prayer for God to help Rob in his battle. “Lord, soften Mr. Mallard’s heart. Help him to see the value of what Rob is saying. Please help these slaves out of bondage as You did the Israelites in Egypt.” She concentrated on keeping her voice low.

“Rob, I shall make a compromise if you agree to meet me halfway.” A pause of silence followed. Lauren found herself straining to hear Rob’s response. She lifted a pillowcase and pinned it to the line.

“Do you mean it, Father?”

“I do.”

“Then what do you propose?” Rob asked.

“I will tell Mr. Fairbanks there will be no more whippings or severe beatings of the slaves or the indentured servants with the exception of runaways.”

Lauren bent to retrieve another sheet. She hoped Rob would agree. Gaining some ground was better than nothing at all. As she threw the sheet over the line, Lauren closed her eyes, willing the Lord to give Rob wisdom in this situation.

“And what do you wish of me if I agree to these new terms?” Rob asked. “There must be something you want of me.”

“Of course, I want you to take a more active role in running this estate. You need to learn the books Mr. Fairbanks is keeping. I want you to ride out to the fields and take over the inspections each week.”

“Fair enough. I accept,” Rob said. “But if I catch Mr. Fairbanks whipping or beating any slaves or servants who have not attempted to run away, he himself will suffer the same punishment he is attempting to impose upon them.”

“You really dislike him that much?” Mr. Mallard asked, his tone one of bewilderment.

“Give me leave to dismiss him . . . immediately.”

“I realize you are young and the responsibility of running this estate seems daunting, but the profits would be more endearing if you had a wife, someone you wanted to keep comfortable and happy. I know it seems unfair for us to push you into marriage at the tender age of twenty, but I am not getting any younger. With four daughters older than you, I am much older than you realize.”

“Father, you are as robust as I am. I daresay, you might outlive me. We have come to an agreement, so let it rest.”

“There is one little matter I would like to discuss.” A woman’s voice interrupted, surprising Lauren. “About Miss Campbell.”

Lauren froze as she bent over her basket to retrieve another pillowcase. What could she have against me? Lauren wondered.

“What about her?” Rob asked.

“I realize she is well educated, but she is still an indentured servant,” his mother said. “I think you have been spending way too much time alone with her.”

Rob chuckled. “Mother, we have only had tea a few times and discussed the weather and a few religious topics in French. ’Tis good practice for me. You agreed to this arrangement.”

“True, but it seems as if you concentrate on her all the time. At church this morning you were more occupied with where she might have gone than taking your seat with your family as is appropriate.”

“I only noticed that she was missing and wondered what might have happened. You act as if I chose to sit with her over the family.”

“I should hope not!” Her voice rose to a new level. “I believe you are infatuated with her. I want you to limit the amount of time she spends in your company.”

“Well, you have both succeeded in interrupting our tea this afternoon,” Rob said, irritation lacing his tone. “Whether or not she spends time in my company, Lauren does not belong in the fields. She is too well educated and unused to hard labor.”

“See? That is exactly what I mean.” His mother sighed. “Since when are we concerned with the comforts of our slaves and servants? And now you are on a first-name basis?”

“Do not become so distraught, my dear,” Mr. Mallard said. “The boy has always had a soft heart. He disliked the mistreatment of others long before this girl came along. I am sure naught will come of it. For now, let us assume the best of him.”

“He was not talking about going into the clergy until she started influencing him. And he did admit to discussing religion with her.”

“That is not true,” Rob said. “I have mentioned the clergy several times before.”

“Not that I recall.” His father’s firm tone silenced them both. No one spoke for a few moments. “I think I am ready for an afternoon nap.”

Their discussion faded into silence. Lauren continued hanging the bed linens, reeling from the shock of being part of their discussion. She couldn’t believe Mrs. Mallard would think there could be anything more to her and Rob’s relationship than amiable friendship. To make matters worse, she was certain the rest of the household staff had heard the discussion.

It didn’t matter. Lauren picked up the empty basket and lifted her chin. She would hold her head up, especially since she had nothing to hide and did nothing wrong.

To Malcolm’s relief, Deidra had kept in touch with Kathleen Anderson. She took a position as a teacher at a nearby grade school. Deidra met with her and arranged for Malcolm and his mother to visit her on a Wednesday evening. After a long day of cutting down trees, Malcolm returned home to a warm bath waiting for him. His mother’s excitement was a deep concern. She had such high expectations of locating Carleen with the prospect of contacting Mr. Shore.

Malcolm wanted to enjoy the warmth of the water upon his sore muscles, but he needed to hurry and dress so they could make it on time to Kathleen’s home. All week his thoughts kept returning to Lauren. He chastised himself for allowing her to take his mother’s place, but each time he looked at his mother and witnessed her increasing health, gratitude swelled in him. It made him love Lauren even more.

He had asked his logging buddies about Rob Mallard. Many had heard of him, but few had met him in person. None of them kept the same circle of friends. The one thing he was able to learn is that the young man had an excellent reputation among the servants of the house. In fact, it was rumored that many of them preferred the son over the father.

The other thing he learned was that Mr. Fairbanks had earned the reputation of being a tyrant. Knowing that Lauren was under his authority made him cringe. Knowing she had transferred to the main house helped him cope, although now he worried Rob Mallard might make inappropriate advances toward Lauren. How could any man resist her innocent charm and genuine warmth?

They arrived ten minutes before seven. Deidra and Logan were already there. Kathleen rented a small suite that was part of the west side of a large house. It was cozy, warm, and inviting. Now that she was no longer on
The Sea Lady
, her skin bloomed with health. No doubt, a better diet helped as well.

“Mrs. MacGregor, I am so delighted to finally meet ye.” Kathleen sat beside her on the couch. “Malcolm was so worried about ye. I can only imagine his relief to learn ye arrived safe an’ sound.”

“Indeed.” His mother nodded. “Which only brings me to the purpose of our visit. ’Tis been so hard to set my mind at ease after I was separated from my daughter, Carleen.”

“Of course. I am honored to help ye write a letter to Mr. Benjamin Shore.” She reached for his mother’s hand. “And please know, I shall be happy to help ye write any letters ye need in the future.”

Malcolm gave Deidra and Logan the news of his visit with Lauren while his mother worked on the letter with Kathleen.

“Pardon me, Malcolm, but it sounds as if ye’re besotted with the lass.” Logan reached over and chucked him with a playful fist on the shoulder. “Do I detect somethin’ more than a mere friendship?”

“Logan!” Deidra slapped his arm with a laugh. “Ye’re incorrigible, but I must admit I am eager to know the same thing.” Deidra glanced over at Malcolm. “Lauren always did have a fondness for ye. If I said aught ’bout ye, she would defend ye no matter what.”

“And pray tell, what complaints did ye have against me?” Malcolm
grinned, knowing well what her grievances were. “Whatever they were, I agree.”

Malcolm awarded her with a grin, hoping to set them at ease. “In truth, I am grateful Lauren has ye as a loyal friend.”

“I knew it! Ye’re in love with her.” She covered her open mouth with her hand and shoved her brother with the other. “See? I told ye.”

“Aye, I was quite aware of his attachment, my wee sister. A man would not go through a knuckle-buster fight in an alley for naught.”

“Speaking of which, I know I said I was not interested in another fight, but after seeing Lauren on Sunday and knowing the risk she took in meeting me, I am most eager to raise the remaining funds to buy her indenture. The longer we are kept apart, the worse the torture.”

“Oh, how romantic.” Deidra lifted her shoulders in a dramatic sigh.

“Even though ye’re on bad terms with Lauren’s father, have ye considered contacting him? He certainly has the means to purchase her indenture.”

Malcolm gulped. She was right, but the thought of appealing to her father after all he had done was unbearable, especially when Lauren seemed to be in decent health and doing well under the Mallards’ care.

“If I thought Lauren was in dire circumstances, I would write to him straightaway. At the moment, Lauren is in no immediate danger.”

“Ye can raise the funds yerself an’ make a fine impression on Lauren. ’Twould certainly prove ye can take care o’ her no matter what.” Logan scratched his temple in thought.

“Aye.” Malcolm nodded, sitting back in his chair. “I agree. I shall try to manage Lauren’s release without the help of Duncan Campbell.” Malcolm stroked his chin in thought. “Although we would appreciate help in writing my uncle an’ brothers.”

Rob ordered the maid to bring him and Lauren tea at the afternoon table. They sat outside in the shade under the full branches of a circle of oak trees. Birds chirped all around as the sun shone bright and the heat of the summer day grew to a stifling degree. He was pleased to see Lauren wearing the new gown he had ordered for her.The purple floral print suited her.

“
Salut,
Rob!
Comment allez-vous aujourd’hui
?” Lauren asked him how he was doing.

He grinned and settled back in his chair.

“
Je suis bien
.” Rob answered that he was good and then went on to ask her in French if she wanted tea.

“
Oui
.” She nodded. Rob reached over and poured her a cup. It felt strange to serve her rather than the other way around.

She pulled out a sealed letter and handed it to him. It was addressed to Mr. Duncan Campbell in Argyll, Scotland.

“
Merci, pour le papier et encre
.” She thanked him for the paper and ink he provided a few days ago and explained that she wanted him to mail the letter to her father.

Rob nodded in agreement, slipping it in the pocket of his brown vest. He would do as she asked but not right away. Such a letter would bring her wealthy father here to demand her release back to Scotland where Rob would never again get to see her. While he didn’t like her being an indentured servant, he wasn’t ready to let her go. He enjoyed her company. She was the only one who understood him and didn’t judge him for wanting to abandon his father’s estate and join the clergy.