Highland Heiress by Margaret Moore Page A

“I don’t want to fight, Robbie.”
    His face reddening, Robbie crossed his arms over hischest and glared at Gordon. “I never thought you’d turn coward on me.”
    Gordon’s ire rose and whatever respect he’d retained for Robbie vanished. “I’m not afraid to fight. I don’t want to fight today, whether you’ve made a wager—”
    An idea came to him, a way to make Robbie give up the suit, and since Robbie so obviously liked to gamble, surely it would appeal to him. “I’ll fight on one condition, Robbie. If I win, you agree to…”
    He hesitated. He wanted to say that if he won, Robbie had to drop the suit completely, except that Robbie would probably never agree to that. So instead, he went for an option Robbie would likely at least be willing to consider. “If I win, you agree to settle the suit with Lady Moira for one thousand pounds and we find another way to get you out of the rest of your debts, or at least make them manageable.”
    Robbie frowned as he leaned his weight on one leg. “Why should I agree to that?”
    Gordon didn’t want to risk losing this chance, so he came up with a reason a man like Robbie could appreciate. “Because this way, the suit will be settled easier and quicker, and you’ll have some money sooner. That amount should enable you to keep your most pressing creditors at bay for a little while, at least.”
    â€œAnd less work for you, too, eh, Gordo?” Robbie noted with a smirk.
    A few days ago, Gordon would have said he could never hate Robbie McStuart, but standing in the yard of the tavern in Dunbrachie, seeing that smirk after learning what his friend had done and what he was capableof, the last vestige of respect, affection and admiration he had for Sir Robert McStuart dwindled away.
    â€œWhat if you fight and lose?” Robbie asked.
    â€œI’ll pay the wager.”
    â€œAnd the suit? You won’t try to make me settle for less than five thousand?”
    â€œI won’t try to make you do anything, because I won’t be representing you in that anymore, regardless of the outcome of the fight.”
    Robbie stared at him incredulously. “What?”
    â€œYou heard me, Robbie. If you want to continue your suit against Lady Moira, you’ll have to find another solicitor. I’ll leave you the documents I’ve drafted.”
    He’d also leave a sealed letter for the new solicitor suggesting that Lady Moira might be willing to offer a settlement for a lesser amount, leaving it to the new solicitor to negotiate the exact terms. “I’m going back to Edinburgh as soon as possible.”
    â€œBy God, you really mean it!” Robbie cried incredulously.
    â€œYes, Robbie, I really do. I think that lawsuit is a mistake.”
    Instead of being angry, Robbie threw back his head and laughed, as if everything was all right between them, although it never would be again. “Good God, Gordo! I knew you had a bit of the Calvinist in you, but I had no idea it ran so deep. Sweet Jesus, you almost make me ashamed of myself.”
    Almost, but not truly ashamed, as he ought to be. As any truly honorable gentleman would be.
    â€œThere’s no need to go rushing back to Edinburgh,old friend, because you’re going to win the fight, and when you do, I’ll settle for a thousand pounds and as long as you’ll help me deal with those creditors, all will be well with the world.”
    Gordon marvelled at the ease with which Robbie dismissed opposition. He had always been carefree in their youth, but Gordon had assumed it was because he was rich and titled. Now that ability took on a more selfish quality. It was as if Robbie simply assumed and accepted as his right that his troubles would always be solved somehow, by someone else.
    Thank God, Lady Moira had broken their engagement. Marriage to a man like Robbie would be a misery.
    â€œCome on, Gordo,