Page 50 of Highland Sword
“Aye. Sometime later, we saw the old man come out of the gardens with just one of ’em louts. And he had a woman with him.”
“What did she look like?”
“A wee thing, mistress. Thin as a stick. Wore a hat with a brim wide as a Quaker’s. Wore a blue coat.”
“They took Madam Laborde,” Morrigan told Aidan. She should have convinced the artist to come with her when they had the chance.
“Was she struggling?” Aidan asked. “Did they force her to go?”
“Nay, Mr. Grant. The woman was willing. Thick as thieves, they were. Chatting all the way out of the garden. I heard her laugh as she climbed into the carriage.”
CHAPTER16
AIDAN
They arrived at Dalmigavie late and were immediately told that Cinaed and the others were back. Aidan knew the first order of business the following morning would be an introduction to the son of Scotland.
Aidan left his bedchamber early. On his way to the laird’s study, he stopped to see Wemys. The cur’s health had been continuously deteriorating, and the best time to converse with him was early in the day, before his medication was administered.
As Aidan had hoped, Wemys was sitting up in bed when he entered. The air in the room was close and smelled of sickness. He pushed open the window and a cool breeze wafted in.
“Are you trying to kill me with the chill?” the sick man snapped, pulling a blanket up to his chin. “You’re not the face I’ve been looking to see.”
“Too bad for you.”
“Go on your way, why don’t you? Send the doctor. She’s the only one worth talking to.”
Aidan sat in a chair near the bed and handed him thelist. “I saw the Chattan brothers yesterday. It took some persuasion, but they shared these names with me. Do you know any of them?”
Wemys stared at the paper.
The brothers thought they were among friends, sharing with fellow workers and members of their reform committee their frustration about what was happening in their town, in their country. As was the case all over Britain, however, their circle of trust had been infiltrated by a spy, a provocateur. They couldn’t have been further from safe.
“Fourteen names,” Aidan pressed. “I doubt the Home Office had every one of them in their pocket.”
“You’re right. And the man’s name is here.”
Aidan was relieved. Knowing the identity of the informant would be a tremendous help. He could send someone after him. He’d go after him himself. Perhaps the man would be cooperative if they offered money. If not that, maybe a threat would make him more agreeable. He and Sebastian were not above using the persuasive methods of the Home Office.
“Who was it?” he asked. “Which name?”
Wemys let the list lie on his lap.
“Tell me, by the devil, or so help me—”
“Today is the thirteenth day I’ve been here in this infernal castle. Nearly a fortnight. And my own niece hasn’t seen fit to come see me.”
Temper sharpened Aidan’s tone. “I didn’t bring you here to visit with your family. Our agreement was for you to help me with the trial. In return, I’d save your miserable life.”
“Well, as we both know, you haven’t done too well with that, now, have you? I’m dying.”
“Not for lack of care.”
“Dying, all the same.”
“I could have just turned you over to the weavers in Inverness. They’d have known how to handle you.”
Wemys gestured toward Kane Branson, looking on from the door. “I’ve asked your clerk. I get no satisfaction. I’ve begged the doctor to take my request to her. Nothing. All I wish for is to see my niece once more before I close my eyes. I have some things I should have said long ago.”
