Page 14 of A Stranger’s Promise

“You trust the man?”

“I trust Foster with my life,” Alistair swore. “Without Angus Foster, I would be nothing.”

It was true. Upon his mother’s death, as a wee lad, Alistair had been sent to his father. But the earl, having already remarried and fathered another son, saw Alistair as either an embarrassment or—as Alistair suspected—a threat to the purse strings of his new wife’s fortune. The earl refused to acknowledge him, and allowed his stepmother to put him to work in the stables. He’d been frightened, lonely, until the piper, Angus Foster, had taken him in as his own. Alistair grew to love the man as a father.

Hard work and Lady Luck favored Alistair. He accumulated a vast fortune and, given his wealth, it was no small wonder that his debt-ridden father had named him heir. Of course, Lady Cassilis hadn’t objected then. The earl had squandered every penny she’d possessed. Her only means of support lay in letting Alistair inherit to save the estate—and herself and her son, Charles, along with it.

Alistair gave a bitter laugh. “Lady Cassilis’s timing is impeccable. I have only just settled the last of the debts and set the estate to rights. The family coffers are no longer dry.”

“Ah, but you have yet to hear the worst.” Nicholas rose. “She’s once again taken up residence in Culzean.”

Alistair retained his share of determination. The windswept lands of his heritage sang in his blood. After spending his life’s work saving Culzean, he’d no longer give up the castle without a fight.

He locked gazes with his friend. “How fast can you ride?”

Nicholas’ eyes lit. “We ride to roust her from your home?”

“Nae.” Alistair shook his head. “I ride to make sure she stays—until I can find out exactly what she’s up to and lay this matter to rest, once and for all.”

“Even better,” Nicholas replied with a grin.