Fox had met Davy and Gaz earlier that day at the inn as well as the local squire, Sir Richard Fenwick.
“What was he like?”
Fox hesitated and frowned. “Bluff and hearty, and dim as a sputtering candle. Your local Squire Western.”
His frown belied his words. “But he is surely part of the free trade?”
“As a receiver of bribes, yes, most likely. As an organizer...” Fox’s frown deepened. “He does throw his weight around.”
A muffled knock at the door made him pause. He set her aside and stood.
It was only Davy, bearing a covered basket. “Others are comin’.” He yanked off his hat and lifted the basket. “Youarea real woman,” he said.
Her cheeks warmed. “I am.”
Davy glanced at Fox and dropped his gaze to the floor. He seemed an innocent sort, truly not old enough to have a child of Pip’s age.
“What have you brought in the basket?” she asked.
“Eggs. From my aunt. For savin’ Pip. And I thank ye, miss,” he added, his voice gravelly.
She took the basket and almost fumbled it. “It’s heavy.” A faded yellow cloth had been tucked in along the edges and she peeled it back carefully. At least two dozen eggs of assorted sizes and colors nestled there. “Oh, my.” As a girl, she’d had occasion to gather eggs at Cransdall, but they’d never had this much variation. “They are lovely. And there are so many.”
“Chickens be layin’ good. And lucky thing because you and your man be needin’ them with more mouths to feed.”
She saw Fox’s mouth quiver. Davy thought she was Fox’s woman.
The warmth flooding her made her giddy.
“Is Pip well?” she asked.
“Dried up and tucked in. One of Gaz’s sisters is sitting on him to keep him from coming back out with us.”
“Thank goodness.”
“Did you find the horse?” Fox prodded.
The man nodded. “Gaz is putting him up in the stable along with your other men and their horses.”
“Other men?” Fox asked.
“Aye. Two Scotsmen and an older gent.”
Fox’s eyes burned into her. Father had sent MacEwen’s cousin, or perhaps the cousin had been on that boat with Farnsworth.
She was not going to run away and hide.
“I believe I can manage to cook eggs for…” She did a mental count and smiled at Davy. “For six hungry men. You and Gaz will join us, Davy.” She pulled a crockery bowl from the open shelving above the food dresser.
Fox handed Davy a lamp. “On the top floor is my room. You’ll work out which one. Bring down two bottles of brandy. Stop on the floor below and knock on the door at the end of the hall. Tell the girl there to get up and come down. She’s a real woman, too. There are no ghosts here.”
Davy grinned and shuffled off.
She picked up an egg and weighed it in her hand. “He’s happy to go exploring.”
“And happy for the brandy.”
“And the extra woman.” She took a deep breath. “I’m not running away again. Nor will I be sent away.”
