Trick helped him smooth it on the scarred oak surface. “We’re here, are we?”
“Aye, and going here.” Leaning over the map, Niall traced a finger southward. “Alongside the mountains and through the hills to the coast. Burntisland is directly opposite from Leith, do you see?”
“Across the Firth of Forth, aye.” Trick’s own finger followed the path. “How long should it take to Burntisland?”
“On horseback, not long. Two, three hours. With twenty-three chests of silver and gold, a whole day, maybe longer. Especially in the rain. The route is far from flat.”
“That’s in our favor.” Trick rerolled the parchment and stuck it into his belt. “Shall we leave?
“I need just a minute to fetch my things. I’ll meet you downstairs.” Niall left, his footsteps hurrying through the garrison and then echoing as he descended the stairwell.
When the sound faded away, Kendra turned into Trick’s arms. “Are you sure I cannot come with you?”
“I’m sure, leannan.” He bent his head, his lips apologetic on hers. “This shouldn’t take long. A few hours to get there, a day to get back with those chests.” His lips brushed hers again, then lingered, exciting her pulse, making her want to beg him to stay.
But she wouldn’t. Rhona and Gregor had to be stopped. And she wouldn’t push any more to go along. She was determined to be better than in the past, the sort of supportive wife he deserved.
“Be safe,” she said softly.
“I will.” He gave her a final kiss. “I have a plan, so don’t fash yourself.”
“Don’t worry, do you mean?” She squeezed him around the middle. “You’re talking like a Scot already, you know that? Before much longer, Caithren will be the only one at home who can understand you.”
With a laugh and a grin, he was gone.
FIFTY-FIVE
“SIT STILL, milady.” Jane’s hands curled and twisted. “You’re restless this morning.”
Feeling like little Susanna at the orphanage, Kendra sighed. Her gaze went to the bedchamber’s window. It had rained all night, though it seemed to be letting up now. “I wonder how they’re doing. All the night and into the morning.”
“I’m sure they’re fine, milady.” Jane stole a cube of cheese from Kendra’s untouched breakfast tray and popped it into her mouth. “They’re probably on their way home already.”
Kendra toyed with the amber around her wrist. Trick had said he had a plan. She hoped it was a good one. “I didn’t say I was worried.”
“Of course you’re worried.” Jane tied a purple ribbon and stepped back. “There you go. He’ll be home soon. You’re doing well here, are you not?”
Was Jason checking up on her here, too? Kendra wondered. The thought made her warm inside. Though she knew it was unlikely, Leslie Castle being far from here, she also knew that her brother would do so if he could. He cared—just like Jane cared enough to ask the question.
“How are you doing here, Jane?”
“Why, fine.” Gathering combs, pins, and ribbons, the maid arranged them in her little traveling case. “I’ve a room to myself bigger than the one I share at Amberley—why shouldn’t I be fine?”
“How is that?” Kendra frowned. “I would expect the servants’ quarters to be crowded, what with Duncraven’s staff and now Amberley’s.”
“Didn’t you know, then, milady?”
“Know what?” She rose and wandered to the window. The rain had stopped, and she smiled at the scene below, watching a mama rabbit hop after her baby through Elspeth’s garden.
“When his grace—not your husband, but his father—left all those many years ago, he stopped providing her grace’s allowance. She had to survive on what Duncraven earns, which I gather isn’t much. Most of the servants were dismissed.”
“My heavens.” Kendra swung from the window. That explained why a nurse companion was doing bedchamber duty. And why the castle was so run down. “His grace—my husband—doesn’t know of this, Jane. That I can promise.”
“Calm yourself, milady.” Jane shut her wooden case. “No one here blames him, and besides, this all happened long ago. The remaining staff are happy to have employment. And since Mr. Munroe moved in, they’re even getting paid.” She took her curling iron from the hearth and blew on it to cool it off. “Shall I sit with you and play some cards? The day might pass more quickly.”
“Maybe later. I think I may sit with Hamish a while.”
Jane’s round face split in a smile of approval. “Excellent idea. You know where to find me.”
Kendra followed her maid out the door and down the winding, torchlit stairs, biting the inside of her cheek. She knew Trick wouldn’t stand for his father and brother scrimping to the point they apparently were. Estate management was her strength, so she hoped to get to the bottom of Duncraven’s problems before he returned. And find a solution that wouldn’t involve him playing the highwayman any longer.
Coming into the sitting room, she headed for Hamish’s door. Perhaps there were opportunities for income that they’d missed.
“Where did they go off to, Kendra?”
She whirled and, finding herself face-to-face with Annag, stifled a groan. “I told you, I don’t know.”
And told her and told her. At least a dozen times last night, before she’d escaped the great hall to toss and turn in her lonely bed.
She skirted past her sister-in-law, toward the master chamber’s closed door. “Why are you so interested, anyway? Have you some stake in the outcome of today’s work?”
Annag came around to block her way, fists raised. “Of what are you accusing me?”
“Go ahead, hit me. I’ve three brothers, and I can assure you they’ve schooled me well.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed, but she dropped her hands. “I’ll get Duncan to find out, then.” She flounced to Hamish’s door, opened it, and slipped inside, slamming it behind her. “Dun-cannnn!” her voice came through the thick oak.
So much for consulting with Hamish—the last thing Kendra needed was another round with Duncan and his sister. So far
