For Love or Loyalty: The MacGregor Legacy | Book 1 (15 page)

“True, sir.” Malcolm said, meeting the man’s piercing gray eyes. “My name is Malcolm MacGregor, and records at the Charles Towne Courthouse say that my mither, Iona MacGregor, was sold into indentured servitude for three hundred pounds to Mallard Plantation.”

“We have so many slaves and indentured servants here that I canna possibly remember them all.” Mr. Fairbanks shrugged and tilted his head. “We do keep our contracts under lock and key.”

“I was hoping to see her. She is an elderly woman about sixty-two, gray hair,” Malcolm said.

“You describe about ten percent of our servants. Do you plan to buy back her indenture? As you know, we have money invested in her. ’Twill need to be recouped, plus a small profit, or the master of the house will not be satisfied.” He lowered his voice in a firm tone. “ ’Tis my upmost concern to keep him very happy.”

“How much of a profit?” Malcolm crossed his arms and planted his feet in a warrior-like stance. His heart beat heavily against his ribs, knowing he could hardly raise the original fee. Anything more would be impossible.

“Her commitment is for seven years. I would say a ten percent profit for each year would be good enough to persuade me to let her go early.”

“What if we replace her with a younger, more able person?” Lauren asked, stepping around Malcolm. Mr. Fairbanks glanced down at her, unable to hide his surprise. “That would be more than ten percent profit each year. Ye would be getting at least thirty percent more work. In fact, ’twould be more than fair to cut the length of the term.”

Mr. Fairbanks threw his head back and roared in laughter. “I did not realize you had brought a little lady to do your bargaining for you.” He dropped his hands on his hips. “And who do you have in mind to take her place?”

Malcolm grabbed Lauren’s arm in protest, but she jerked away from him with her blue eyes flashing. “Before I tell ye, just answer me one thing. Would we have a deal? Would ye let Iona MacGregor go free this day and shorten the term?”

“Go free?” He nodded. “Yes, if the girl is young and able. Your mither may go free today, but I want to know about her skills and what she has to offer before I agree to a shorter term. Now who is she? I would have to meet her, and if I approve, the exchange could take place today.”

“Mr. Fairbanks, allow me a moment to discuss this sudden arrangement with Miss Campbell.” Malcolm grabbed her arm and tried to lead her away, but she pulled free and dug in her heels.

“ ’Tis me,” she said. “But ye have to cut the term from seven to four years since I can produce double the amount of work as someone her age.”

Mr. Fairbanks gave Lauren a mischievous smile. Her heart vibrated in her ears as she waited, hoping she wouldn’t regret her decision. Malcolm’s earlier plan was the only thing that would work. To her relief, he couldn’t go through with it. She had underestimated him. He was a better man than she had given him credit.

“Lauren, this is not necessary,” Malcolm growled through clenched teeth and grabbed her arm. “Now that I know the terms, I will figure out some other way.”

“Do not worry, Malcolm.” She patted the top of his hand on her arm. “I know what I am doing.”

“Well, is this not sweet?” Mr. Fairbanks folded his arms and scratched his chin in obvious amusement. “I must admit, this new turn of events has taken me by complete surprise.”

“Believe me, sir, I am not doing this for yer entertainment.” Lauren lifted her chin as she mustered enough courage to do what she had to do. She couldn’t back out now, even though the thought was more than tempting. Lauren imagined Iona’s face and prayed in her heart that God would be with her and bless her decision. This was only temporary. God would provide Malcolm the means to buy her indenture, or her father would come for her. Unlike Iona, she had other options, and her youth would see her through, in addition to her faith.

“You must love this young fool a lot.” Mr. Fairbanks nodded toward Malcolm. “I only hope you do not come to regret this foolish mistake. Servitude on a plantation is not easy, and many do not survive the time to reach their freedom.”

“All the more reason for me to take Iona’s place.” Lauren struggled to keep her voice steady. “ ’Tis my Christian duty.”

“Call it what you like, but I see the way you look at him.” Mr. Fairbanks laughed. “You are besotted, and perhaps you prefer he not know the real reason you do this.”

“I love Iona like a mither,” Lauren said. “Now please, have Iona brought here. I will not sign a contract until we see her.”

“Very well.” Mr. Fairbanks went to the door, swung it open, and called, “George! Come here.”

A moment later, the butler returned. “Yes, sir?” He bowed his head in submission.

“Have one of the field hands fetch Iona MacGregor and tell them to be quick about it.” He scratched the side of his head as he stepped around the large desk and sat down. He pulled out a long piece of parchment paper, quill, and ink. “In the meantime, I shall begin writing the contract agreement.”

While he scratched his quill across the paper, Malcolm shook his head and stepped forward, leaning his palms on his desk. “Nay, ye canna do this. Lauren Campbell is the daughter of a wealthy overlord in Argyll, Scotland. She left without his permission, and he could already be on his way to the colonies to collect her as we speak.”

“Good.” Mr. Fairbanks didn’t bother looking up as he continued writing. “Then her indenture will be short-lived, and the master of the house will be sure to make a profit if her father is as wealthy as you claim.”

“Ye do not understand,” Malcolm said. “He is a man of great importance with friends and allies in many places, especially the Duke of Argyll, who has the favor of the king. I realize this is a colony, but it is still governed by the king of England, is it not?”

“Indeed, Mr. MacGregor, but you fail to understand that things run a little different here in the colonies.” His firm voice grew louder with marked impatience. “The colonies exist for the sole purpose of trade and commerce—all to fatten the king’s coffers. The girl has chosen to put herself under indenture of her own free will as stated in this document. How she came to be here is of no concern of ours. If you brought her here against her will, then you shall be the one to answer for it, not me or the master of the house.” He waved the paper to dry the ink. “If her father wants her back, he will have to pay the price. I shall have a signed legal document, which will hold up in any English court here in the colonies or the mother country.”

“Malcolm, he is right,” Lauren said, trying not to let her nerves get the best of her. “Besides, ye’ll have yer mither back. That is the most important thing.”

Malcolm whirled. Anguish lingered in his eyes as he blinked and slowly walked toward her. “I once thought it was, but not anymore.” His voice was low. “Do not do this, Lauren. Please . . . I have a bad feeling. I could not bear it if something were to happen to ye.”

“Then set yer conscience free, for I do this of my own free will.” She cupped her hand on his cheek and smiled up at him. Her heart skipped a beat as it grew heavy with the knowledge of how much she had come to care for him in spite of everything. “My time will not be long. My da will come for me. Have faith.”

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Mr. Fairbanks called.

The door opened and in walked the butler, leading a limping figure into the room. Her hair was a matted gray that looked as though it had not been washed in months. She wore a dirty and torn gray skirt not fit to be a rag, much less someone’s clothing. Her oversized and rumpled blouse wasn’t much better.

Lauren’s stomach plummeted. This couldn’t be Iona.

“M . . . Mither?” Malcolm’s haggard voice broke the silence. “What have they done to ye?” Malcolm rushed to her side and bent to examine her.

“I remember her now,” Mr. Fairbanks said. “This is how she arrived. I took pity on her. There is no telling what might have happened to her if I had not bought her.”

Lauren gulped as Iona’s faraway gaze strayed to Malcolm and recognition dawned. The wrinkles on her forehead and her weary brown eyes and thin lips had deepened and multiplied. Her hollow cheeks and bones were evidence of how little she had eaten since they had last seen her. In that moment, Lauren’s doubts disappeared. Iona wouldn’t survive another month if Lauren didn’t take her place in the fields.

Aching remorse shuddered through Malcolm as he stared at his mother’s frail and weak body. His heart lurched when her gaze landed on him, but she didn’t seem to recognize him. Had they stolen her mind as well?

“Mither?” He cupped her cheek and willed her to see him. “I came to take ye from this awful place.”

He knew the moment she recognized him. Relief poured through Malcolm. She ran her gnarled fingers over his face as a slow smile lit her weather-worn features. “Malcolm, my lad, ’tis ye. I was afraid to let myself believe it.”

“Well, believe it. I’m right here in the flesh.” Malcolm wrapped his arms around her shoulders and tried not to wince at her sharp bones. “We shall fatten ye up an’ have ye back to yerself in no time at all.”

She shook her gray head, now layered with strands of white hair that hadn’t been there before she had left Scotland. “Nay, son, I will not ever be the same again. Ye must not get yer hopes up.” She looked around the room. “I see ye brought Lauren, but where are yer brothers?” Alarm widened her brown eyes.

“They are back in Scotland. Thomas is taking good care of Graham. I sent them to yer brother, Athol. They will find protection from the Campbells among the Fergusons in Perthshire under the MacGregor Clan Chief.”

“Well done, lad.” She gave him an approving pat on the cheek.

“Do ye not want to gather yer belongings afore we go?” Malcolm asked. “The sooner we get ye away from this place, the better.”

“I came with naught but the clothes on my back.” Her gaze flicked from Lauren to Mr. Fairbanks. “However did ye manage to convince them to let me go?” Suspicion laced her voice as she raised a thin eyebrow.

“Do not worry, Iona.” Lauren stepped forward and took his mother’s hands in her own. Unshed tears brimmed her eyes, and her nose turned pink as she tried to hide her emotion. “I came to undo what my wretched father has done. Ye go on with Malcolm now, while I stay behind to finish the details.” Lauren kissed Iona’s cheek and gave her over to Malcolm.

He led his mother to the door, but he felt like he was leaving part of himself behind. Agony shot through him at the thought of abandoning Lauren to a similar fate of what his mother had endured. Once they reached the hallway, he turned to his mother. “Wait here, I need to tell Lauren something.”

“I think not.” Mr. Fairbanks blocked the threshold.

“Please . . . just let me say good-bye.” Malcolm pressed forward, but Mr. Fairbanks pushed an arm against him.

“No, I will not allow it,” Mr. Fairbanks said.

Malcolm struggled against him, careful not to use the bulk of his strength lest he make things worse for Lauren. Taller than Mr. Fairbanks, he glanced over at Lauren and saw the silent tears crawling down her face. “Lauren, I shall come back to visit an’ check on ye.”

“No, it is not permitted,” Mr. Fairbanks said. “Here at Mallard Plantation, indentured servants are not allowed visitors from the opposite sex. It cuts down on unnecessary problems.”

Panic rose inside Malcolm. What if he couldn’t raise the funds to buy her indenture? It could be years before he got another chance to tell her how he felt about her. He mouthed the words,
I love you
.

Lauren tilted her head as if uncertain. She closed her eyes and turned her back on him in a gut-wrenching sob. Mr. Fairbanks shoved him out the door.

“You have your mother. Now go take care of her,” Mr. Fairbanks said. “I daresay, she could use a bit of attention.”

At the reminder of his mother, Malcolm stopped struggling and accepted Lauren’s fate—for now. He vowed he would get her out of here—somehow. Malcolm offered his arm to his mother. “Let us go, Mither.”

“What about Lauren?” she asked.

“Do not worry. Everything is fine.” His mother took his arm and leaned upon him. He patted her hand. “All will be well. I promise.”