The Master Of Strathburn Read Online Free Page A

entirety of the Strathburn estate before winter descended. At last his pretty Jezebel would be alone. He would be able to do whatever he wished.
    * * *
    On Jessie’s return to the drawing room, it was to find Lord Strathburn fast asleep in his favourite chair before the fire. Beside him on the hearthrug lay his devoted deerhound, Caesar. Neither of them stirred at her entry. She had obviously been too long in the library; she hoped the earl wouldn’t be too annoyed with her when he woke.
    A half drunk cup of tea sat on a small cherrywood table beside him. The thought of having a cup to calm her jangled nerves was indeed tempting—her hands trembled and her stomach still churned—but the risk of being caught taking such a liberty by the countess made her think better of it. She really didn’t want to jeopardise her father’s position here.
    With a shaky sigh, she sank onto the window seat, discarding Macbeth onto the brocade cushion beside her. Outside, the mirror-like surface of Loch Kilburn reflected the fiery wooded braes and azure blue sky. It was the type of autumn day just perfect for riding.
    But not for her. Not any more. Gone were the days when she could saddle Blaeberry whenever she liked to ride out and explore the countryside. The longing to be as free as the eagle she could see swooping over the loch was suddenly so acute, tears misted her vision. Perhaps early tomorrow, before Lady Strathburn made a claim on her time, she could sneak away for a ride. It was also the day that her father would be leaving. The thought passed like a dark cloud across her mind.
    The idea of spending even a full day alone at Lochrose without her father’s protection, let alone a fortnight, made her inwardly shudder, especially after Simon’s lecherous conduct in the library just now. But to make matters worse—and despite her protestations—her father had arranged for her to stay up at the castle during his absence. It would be almost impossible to avoid Simon. Cold dread snaked down her spine at the thought of the coming days. And nights. She didn’t know if she would be able to tolerate the man’s unwanted attentions for much longer.
    But stand it she must, for the sake of her father. She didn’t have the heart to tell him about Simon’s advances, just when his spirits seemed so much improved. Only just this morning, during breakfast, he had reported with a wide smile that the earl was a most canny and fair employer. Jessie knew that if she did tell her father what was really going on, he would be infuriated with the earl’s son and would want to leave here straightaway. And then what would they do?
    Positions such as this were few and far between, and destitution was not an inviting prospect. With a heavy sigh, Jessie dashed away her useless tears and firmed her resolve. Regardless of how unpleasant life was at Lochrose, she would just have to swallow her frustrations and somehow soldier on.
    Glancing over to Lord Strathburn, she could see he was still snoring quietly. His head rested against the side of his leather wing back chair and a woollen blanket was draped over his knees. Despite her own cares, she smiled softly. He was a charming man—nothing at all like his son—and was perhaps only a little older in years than her father. But he seemed at least twenty years older in many other ways.
    The castle’s cook, Mrs MacMillan, had recounted the sad story of the earl’s decline over tea and scones in the kitchen on Jessie’s first morning at Lochrose.
    ‘The good man never recovered after his eldest son, Robert, rode out for the Young Pretender at Culloden. It broke his heart when the young master chose to leave. Lord Strathburn threatened to disinherit him, ye ken. He dinna really have any other choice. The entire estate could verra well have been forfeited to the Crown if his lordship hadna declared which side of the fence he stood on. Now Mr Grant will most likely get everything when the earl passes, which