Page 36 of Highland Sword
“It wasn’t the books, but my family. The women who are like my sisters.”
“Your humility is admirable.”
“One of my many qualities,” Morrigan said wryly. “But about coming with me. Blair has arranged for two Mackintosh men to come and stand guard over me like a pair of mastiffs. If you want to stand with them while I go in and speak with those women, you’re welcome to do so.”
“Searc might think you need physical protection, but no one knows the fallacy of that better than I. However, you might have some use for my social and diplomatic skills.”
Morrigan doubted it. “Andyourhumility is beyond admirable, Mr. Grant.”
Aidan bowed, smiling at her barb. “Tell me, then. How do you plan to approach them?”
“I’ll show them one of the etchings and ask them amiably if they know who the artist might be.”
“Amiablysounds like the right approach, but the rest is wrong.”
“What objection do you have?”
He frowned. “Why should they answer truthfully? They don’t know you. Why should they answer at all? You have no connection with Barn Hill. You’re not a Catholic. And you don’t reside anywhere near them. Nor do you have a child or a family who might be interested in moving there. In short, they have no reason to trust you. I foresee failure in your quest.”
Morrigan would have liked to disagree but she couldn’t. He was right. Because of their faith, these women had surely been harassed for years. If she were in their position, she wouldn’t trust a stranger either. She stole a glance at him and understood why Aidan had an excellent reputation as a barrister.
He wasn’t finished. “What if the artist still resides there?Approached by a stranger, they’ll see it as their duty to protect her and themselves in the bargain.” He shook his head doubtfully. “I think you’ll have a difficult time even getting in the door. And if you do, you’ll need to explain your visit in a manner that doesn’t arouse their concern.”
“I don’t mean her or them any harm. I’ll say curiosity brought me to their door.”
“Curiosity over what?”
“The etchings.”
“We’ve already established that doesn’t work.” His statement was final, like a judge addressing a jury. “You’ll have only one chance at this. They might speak to you today, but if they have any suspicion of your motives, you’ll be dismissed out of hand.”
He was a man with two sides to him, Morrigan thought. Agreeable and good-natured. Then there was this other side. Strong-minded. Strong-willed. Unequivocal in his pronouncements. Dismissive of weak argument or approach. Very much the successful barrister.
“Very well. How would you go about it? How wouldyouconvince them to tell us what they know?”
“You’ll see. You’ll be with me.” He tipped his hat to her and spurred his horse, trotting ahead past riders and carts, leaving her agape.
Morrigan couldn’t believe it. The rogue had decided his company was essential for her today. And then she’d been dismissed.
She wasn’t about to let Aidan get away so easily. Morrigan nudged her own mount and caught up with him halfway up the line of carts, reining in beside him.
“Yes, Miss Drummond?”
“I’ve decided that you may accompany me to Barn Hill.”
“I thought that was already decided.”
“And afterward, I’ll go with you to the jail.”
From the pained expression on his face, one might have thought she’d delivered another blow to his eye. “Absolutely not.”
“You said the two destinations are not far from each other. And I’ve never been to a jail before.”
“Surely, you’re jesting.”
“Absolutely not.” Morrigan was indeed jesting, but he didn’t know it. “You want to meddle with my business. It’s only fair that I accompany you as you see to yours.”
His features hardened and his eyes narrowed. With his bruises and cuts, he looked positively fierce. He leaned toward her and grabbed her hand. His grip was hard. All the good-natured affability in his demeanor had disappeared in an instant.
