Page 85 of Highland Renegade
“That is nae likely to happen, given the amount of time gone by.”
“Still, it might well be the reason Gavin heads to Cawdor,” Alasdair answered.
Ian gave him a puzzled look. “What do ye mean?”
“I overheard Gavin complaining that he was being sent to Cawdor to rally the Campbells there. Mayhap Argyll is going to fight the bill, even if Bute doesna.”
In spite of that dire possibility, Ian felt a sense of relief that Gavin would not be around for a while. He hadn’t much liked seeing the man fawn over Emily and dance with her. He’d had no doubt the cur would come calling. At least, that would be postponed for now. The man’s absence would give Ian much-needed time to sort things out in his own mind to decide what to do about his newfound feelings.
And, more importantly, how to approach Emily about them.
“All we can do is wait,” he said, but he wasn’t sure he was referring to the Campbells or to himself.
…
Everyone seated at the round table for dinner seemed tired, if not exhausted, much of which could be attributed to the wee hours of the morning when they’d returned from Kilchurn. While Fiona and Glenda had trundled off to bed shortly after coming home, Emily had had to deal with her sisters.
Juliana had still been furious, not at having wine spilled, but by Neal Cameron’s boorish behavior and assumption that she wouldwantto marry him. She would rather take vows and the veil, she had informed Emily with enough ice in her tone to freeze the River Clyde, before that happened.
Emily feared that Lorelei, on the other hand, might set fire to the solar with her temper running hot. Not only had her gown been ruined—by her own hand, although Emily didn’t point that out—but she had missed the ball. Missed the first social event to take place since their arrivalandmissed the opportunity to practice her flirting skills with a number of young men that she’d noticed. How was she ever going to attract a worthy husband during London’s Season if she didn’t practice?
Emily thought it prudent not to bring up the conversation she’d had with Lord Bute… That if they lost their deed, there might notbea Season for Lorelei, and the possibility of taking the veil might actually become an option. There was no use in upsetting her sisters even more.
Still, she pitied Alasdair having to endure the carriage ride home. She glanced at him now. He seemed unaffected and was actually smiling at Lorelei. Perhaps he had joined the coachman on the bench for the ride home, after all.
She turned her attention to the conversation Ian was having with his uncles.
“We are going to have to begin cutting the peat before the rains start,” he was saying. “We have little of last year’s supply left.”
“Aye,” Donovan answered. “The near side by Gwendolyn’s cottage should be dry enough.”
“Do the barley sheaves not have to be brought in before the rains start as well?” Emily asked.
Ian nodded. “We will check on them tomorrow and then send most of the men out to start bringing them in.”
“It seems to be a bigger crop this year than what was reported last year.” The uncles gave her sharp looks while Ian busied himself cutting his meat. “At least, that is what I have been able to determine by looking at the records you have kept.” She looked at the men who were all suddenly silent. “But I may be wrong.”
Ian finally spoke. “Ye are nae wrong. This year has been verra good.”
“Excellent!” Emily replied. “Especially since we have a contract with White’s for the whisky.” She turned to the uncles. “And there is enough storage at the distillery for this year’s crop?”
“Aye,” Donovan said. “We keep the grain in dry storage bins and take out only enough that will fill the floor to begin malting.”
“I do not think I saw the storage bins when I toured the facility.”
“That is because they are midway between the fields and the distillery.” Broderick paused. “Mayhap ye would like to tour those, too?”
She looked at him, surprised at the suggestion. He didn’t look like he was being sarcastic. And his tone was even. He lifted an eyebrow questioningly and she nodded. Perhaps he and his brother were finally beginning to accept that she had a true interest in learning the whisky business. “I would like that.”
“Ye can come over tomorrow then.”
Ian frowned. “We have got to check out the peat bog tomorrow.”
“And Donovan and I have to check the barley,” Broderick answered. “I am sure Lady Woodhaven will be safe riding over by herself in broad daylight.”
“Of course I will,” Emily responded. “It is only a mile or two. Besides, Muirne could use a run. I have not had a chance to ride her in several days.”
“Then that is settled,” Broderick answered. “We will expect ye in the morning.”
