Page 53 of Anice’s Bargain

“Aye.” James lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. “There’s no denying I’m Scottish. But I’m a fair Scot who intends to see the land well-tended and the people of Carlisle cared for.”

Anice put a hand to the man’s shoulder. The curmudgeon’s bitter expression smoothed into one of awe as he gazed on Anice.

“The Earl of Werrick has entrusted James Graham with this land.” Anice glanced at James and gave a shy smile. “I can vouch for my husband’s character. You’d do well to give your new master the respect he is due. Better a Scot who is fair than an English lord who would have had you beaten for the sharpness of your tongue.”

The words were said with gentleness, but there was an authoritative note that dismissed any opportunity for argument.

Anice removed her hand from the man’s shoulder. “Are we understood?”

A slow, stupid smile spread over his weathered lips. “Aye, my lady.”

While James appreciated Anice’s intervention, he vowed Anice would not fight his battles for him. This was his land to tend. He would see it well-run.

In a brief meeting with Engelbart later, James discovered his tasks to be great, indeed. The land was in disarray. Without the earl’s ability to devote his full attention to Caldrick, it was overmuch for Engelbart to keep up with. It struck James that Engelbart most likely had not been fully forthright with Werrick in their communication on his ability to see to everything within Carlisle.

The lands were overrun with reivers, livestock was constantly being carted off, and the few bits of land being properly farmed were often destroyed. It was madness.

And it was a world James knew better than the back of his hand.

This was the opportunity he had wanted. Now he only needed to find the solution to put it all to rights.