The servant took his hat off and scratched his head. “You got a point there, my lord.”
Giff glanced at the cloudless sky and closed his eyes. “Exactly. Now open the door.”
“Got to get the key, don’t I?” The man walked off to the other stable.
Alice barely stopped herself from laughing. “Is he always like this?”
“I don’t know.” He scowled after the servant. “The last time I was here he ran me off by telling me my father didn’t want me out here. I was to send for what I needed.”
Robertson turned his back, but his shoulders shook briefly.
Fergus shook his head. “Right old codger he is, me laird.”
Giff looked at him. “A laird now, am I?”
“Aye, me laird. Ye got yer own house and property in two places”
Alice couldn’t hold in her mirth any longer. Giff glared at her. “What are you laughing about?”
In an attempt to stop, she waved her hand in front of her face. “It is funny. If you are a laird, what am I?”
“Still a lady.” He barked a laugh when she pouted.
She was glad his mood had improved. “I assume he is the stablemaster. What is his name?”
“Smith.” Giff stared across the short area separating the door. “I swear he’s been here since before my father. Here he comes brandishing a key.”
He took the key and opened the door. The smell of rotten hay and offal almost knocked her back. “This must be cleaned at once.”
“Ain’t my stable.” Smith said. “Not my job.” And walked away.
“Fergus.” Alice smiled at the Scotsman. “Just how many grooms might like to work for his lordship?”
An evil grin appeared on his freckled face. “Including the young stablemaster, me lady?”
“Naturally.”
He glanced at Giff. “What’ll ye pay, me laird?”
“I’ll pay twelve pence more per quarter than they are earning now.” Fergus looked at Robertson as if he’d just noticed him. “An who are ye?”
“Robertson.” He stood his ground at the clear attempt at intimidation.
Fergus’s eyes narrowed. “Got any Scots in ye?”
“My father’s side of the family is still in Scotland. He got work for an English lord and left. My mother’s English.”
Fergus stuck out his hand. “Glad to meet ye.” He pointed his chin toward Alice. “Working for her ladyship?”
“I am her groom.”
“Make sure Bromley knows. Unless I’m mistaken, he’ll be the new stablemaster.” Fergus turned to Giff. “Do ye need yer curricle? It’s best if ye come back later this afternoon to see about the stable. There’s likely to be a lot of shoutin’ and swearin’ going on here.”
Giff offered her his arm, and she took it but did not move. “Fergus, I would much rather have the stable staff hired before we depart. After that, you can swear and shout all you would like.”
Fergus glanced at Giff who nodded and took off toward the other stable. A few minutes later, he came back with their new stable-master and a sufficient number of grooms for their needs.
Smith followed them back as well, but she expected that. “Mr. Smith, I understand that you are not happy about losing some of your staff. However, I must point out that you have abrogated any duty toward this standing. Therefore, we have taken matters into our own hands. As you are not needed here, you may return to your duties.”
