Trick helped himself to a hunk of bread. “Could you not convince them?”
“We thought we had. Over and over. But always a few years later they would bring it up again.” Hamish cut a piece of mutton. “I can only assume, Patrick, that when you arrived, they saw their last chance slipping away. They knew Elspeth had been planning to ask you to return the treasure. So they took it upon themselves to enlist help and make off with it before it was too late.”
“Gregor and Rhona.” Reluctantly, Niall nodded. “I expect that’s why they’ve been absent since shortly after the burial. I thought they needed rest, but come to think of it, it’s odd they left you alone, Da. When they spent every day here since Mam fell ill.”
Hamish returned the nod.
Trick pushed his plate away. “So you think they’re bound for London?”
“I expect so, son.”
If Trick noticed the endearment, he didn’t react. “We found cart tracks outside the tower, heading southeast around Falkland, and then more tracks from four wagons that went due south. At the point where they crossed a wee river, we turned back. Where would they go from there?”
“Down and over to Stirling Bridge,” Niall said. “It’s the only way across the Forth.”
“Unless they were in a hurry.” Hamish dabbed at his lips with a napkin. “Then they’d head for Burntisland and the ferry over to Leith. Just as King Charles did all those years ago.”
“They’re in a hurry,” Kendra said.
The three men turned to her. “How do you know?” Trick asked.
“They crossed the river instead of heading up or downstream to a bridge. Although it wasn’t overly deep, there had to be some risk involved in traversing the water with such a heavy load.”
A new appreciation lit Trick’s eyes. “You’re right. But still and all, even taking shortcuts they cannot have got far, not with a burden like that. The tracks were visible, which means they left today.” His gaze went to one of the deep-set windows. A light mist had begun to fall as they’d headed back to Duncraven. “I imagine the trail is washed away now. And they’re making even slower progress.”
Niall nodded. “If we ride out immediately, we could make it to Burntisland before them. And wait.”
Kendra could hear the excitement in his voice. Clearly he saw this as more than a mission for right. She imagined he envisioned an adventure—he and his new older brother, off to save the world.
He rose, looking eager. “I don’t suppose it will be too difficult for the likes of we two to dissuade one old man and woman.”
“Watch your tongue, lad,” Hamish put in, a ghost of a smile transforming his grim face. “Who are you calling old?”
With a laugh, Trick stood. “I’ll fetch my cloak.” He started for the turret steps.
“Wait!” Kendra leapt up to go after him. But he was already far ahead of her, his boots disappearing around the tight curve as he took the steep staircase two steps at a time, while she could manage only one.
By the time she caught up, he was already inside their chamber, spreading his cloak on the bed. Breathless, she caught him by the arm. “I want to go with you.”
He spun to face her. “No. We’ve been over this before.”
“You’re not going to play the highwayman this time, Trick. I’ll worry—”
“And I’ll worry more if you come.” He touched her cheek with the backs of his long fingers, then moved away to root through the clothespress. “Stay with Hamish,” he said, pulling out a black shirt and breeches. “He needs people around him.”
“He has Duncan and Annag, and his grandchildren.”
“Aye?” He tossed the garments on the open cloak. “Then where were they today?”
“At their own homes,” Niall said behind them, “packing up their lives.” They both turned to find him standing in the open doorway, holding a roll of parchment. “They’ll return tonight. Seems they’re moving here for good.”
“Good?” Kendra asked incredulously.
“Bad choice of words.” He half-grimaced, half-grinned. “But I don’t want to upset Da by questioning this. Not until he’s stronger.”
“I understand.” And she did. But that didn’t mean she wanted to stay here with Niall’s brother and sister. Left to deal with them alone, she could picture herself tearing her hair out. She’d be bald by the time Trick returned.
Suddenly she realized they were her husband’s brother and sister as well. “They’re yours, too, Trick,” she blurted.
“Pardon?” He buckled on his sword belt.
“Duncan and Annag. They’re your brother and sister.”
In the act of shoving a pistol into his boot top, he stilled, the gun dangling from his fingers.
Niall leapt into the room to catch it. “Half brother and sister,” he corrected.
Trick’s face had gone pale. Kendra wished she could see the expression in his eyes, but his hair hung in the way.
“They’re my half siblings, too, and I manage to survive,” Niall joked weakly. “It’s not all that awful.”
“I just hadn’t thought of it.”
“Then have you thought about the fact that you’re Scottish?” Niall handed over the gun.
Trick stared at it as if he’d never seen one before. “Scottish?” he repeated.
“One-hundred percent Scots,” his brother said in an exaggerated burr. “Both your parents.”
“I hadn’t thought about that, either.” Regaining his color, he shook his head as though to clear it, but the hair fell right back into his eyes. “I thought Mam was half Irish?”
Niall shrugged. “I suppose. But either way, you’re not English, aye?”
A small smile tugged at Trick’s lips. “I never did feel very English.”
“Well, that’s because you aren’t.” His brother returned his grin. “But you up and married a Sassenach, aye?”
“Guess I did, at that,” Trick said, reaching an arm to pull Kendra close.
Seeing he was over the shock, she relaxed. He felt warm against her side, and she wished he wasn’t leaving. She looked down, twisting the bracelet on her wrist.
Trick jammed the pistol into his boot top. “Are you ready?” he asked Niall.
“I brought a
