Page 15 of Highland Jewel
“The financial compensation will be well worth your while, Lieutenant.” Burney glanced quickly around him. “You’ll have no difficulty raising your manner of living.”
Tolley turned to Sir Rupert. “Lieutenant Campbell places little value on comfort when the call of duty comes.”
“For king and country, then. Nonetheless, the pay will be generous, and promotion to captain is a certainty.” Burney’s fox eyes bore into Niall, and he leaned forward, tapping his twisted serpent cane on the floor. “And we’d like you to start immediately. There is no time to be lost. These traitors must be rooted out and dispatched.”
As the two men continued to elaborate on the enticements for taking the position, Niall moved to a table he used as a desk and leaned against it. He crossed his arms over his chest and listened. A number was mentioned. It was ridiculous exactly how much these people were willing to pay a potential rat to turn against his own. Burney and Tolley appeared to be certain he’d accept the position.
King and country.What duty did a man owe to a king and a government that had forgotten the people, he thought. Not only forgotten. Conspired against, stealing their rights under the pretense that their actions were forthe good of all. Niall knew who profited from the arrogant actions of Lord Sidmouth and ruthless henchmen like Sir Rupert Burney. And it wasn’t the people. It was the rich. The Prince Regent and his toadies.
Dispossessed farmers from the Highlands and tradesmen who’d been driven out of their businesses were wandering the streets of the cities. Women and children were starving and dying in the gutters and the dark alleyways. And their voices were going unheard by king and Parliament and the rest of the moneyed classes. Perhaps the French had it right when they led their self-serving aristocracy to the guillotine.
“I’m not interested, gentlemen.” Niall had to put an end to it, and his tone was sharp enough to silence both of them at once. He raised himself to his full height. “This is not for me.”
Tolley’s mouth hung open for a moment as he tried to comprehend what he’d heard.
“Just think a moment, Campbell.” The colonel’s chummy joviality was gone, replaced by concern. Perhaps even a hint of fear. “If you have some question that has gone unanswered…?”
“None. I’ve heard all I need to hear.”
Burney’s eyes bore into him for a moment and then shifted away. He stared in silence at the head of his cane, and Niall felt the hostility. It was the moment after the artillery barrage. The moment when the guns were silent, and the acrid smell of gunpowder from the cannon fire still hung in the air. It was the moment before the enemy infantry charged.
Sir Rupert stood abruptly, but Niall knew this was far from over.
“My mistake, Lieutenant.” His tone was as emotionless as an undertaker.
“Wait, Sir Rupert. Lieutenant Campbell is not one tomake such hasty decisions. He is a man of precision and enquiry. That is why I believe he is so perfect for this job. Allow him to think about it.”
“Thank you, Colonel. But my answer will be the same tomorrow or next week or next month. I’m not interested.” Niall motioned toward the door. “But I’m certain you two gentlemen have other candidates to visit. And I have a busy day ahead myself.”
CHAPTER6
Maisie had promised to have her pages to the printer on Bristo Street by midday. The pamphlet contained information about the Edinburgh Female Reform Society and some of the establishments they supported through their fundraising. She and Fiona both agreed they needed to have a more impressive booklet. A single-page flyer was no longer sufficient.
She was on her way to the door when Archibald intercepted her in the hallway.
“I need to speak to you. In my office.” He motioned to the door, as if she didn’t know which room his office was.
Maisie didn’t have time for this. But there was no escape. “Shall I fetch Isabella?”
He shook his head and waited at the open doorway, his expression stern. “I wish to speak to you alone.”
Archibald Drummond was her brother-in-law. She’d lived in his house for six years. But Maisie couldn’t recall a single instance when he’d asked to speak to her without Isabella being present. Morrigan was his daughter.She was his pride and joy. But he’d never involved himself with Maisie’s upbringing. She was Isabella’s responsibility.
As Maisie entered his consulting room, she was thinking about Morrigan. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was about the condition of Maisie’s clothing when she arrived home yesterday.
Archibald closed the door, and Maisie stood behind a nearby chair.
“This won’t take long.”
This had to be about yesterday, she decided, bracing herself for a lecture.
“This Lieutenant Campbell. What is he to you?”
Surprised, she took a moment to find a proper answer. “Nothing.”
The two men hadn’t been introduced, but Maisie decided all Archibald needed to do was ask Isabella or any of the servants the name of the visitor.
“Nothing? He called on you.”
