“And if she does?” his father countered. “Spies doona deserve mercy.”
“Ye have nae proof she is!”
His father chuckled. “Which is why we set the trap.”
“I willna agree to it.” Niall frowned. “We can find another place for her to earn some coin.”
Simon looked at him. “Where else in Inverness would she be as safe? At least, Fergus would nae mistreat her.”
His brother did have a point. If Charlotte insisted on earning coin, their solictor’s office would be a good place to do it. Women were vulnerable, even in respected shops sometimes. Still. Something niggled at him, but he wasn’t sure what it was.
His father declared, “I still think we should tell Fergus everything.”
“Nae!” Niall managed to keep his voice down. “I willna agree.”
“Ye—”
“Wait,” Simon interrupted again. “Niall may have a point, Da. If we let on we think the lass is a spy, she’ll be watchedtooclosely. And ye ken what a stickler Keir’s father is for details. Ye’ll nae hear the end of it from Fergus for taking such a risk by having her here.”
“Nowthereis a truth,” Niall said.
His father’s expression darkened. “Then what do ye propose we tell him?”
“I think we can tell both Keir and his fatheranothertruth.” Simon looked at Niall and grinned suddenly. “My brother is besotted with the lass. Since Keir is a good friend, we can tell him Niall wants the lass followed to make sure she’s nae meeting another swain.”
Niall felt his face grow hot. “I am nae besotted!”
“Your face tells another story.” Simon’s grin faded. “Or we could go with Da’s idea and let them know what we suspect.”
Niall scowled. “’Twould nae be fair to the lass.”
“Then tell Keir to keep a watchful eye on her, brother.” Simon’s mouth quirked up. “If ye doona want to admit to being besotted, ye can at least say ye are interested, nae?”
Niall opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. This was not an argument he was gong to win. He sighed. “If Fergus accepts her, I will talk to Keir.”
“Good.” Simon glanced at their father and then turned back to Niall. “I’ll write the letter of inquiry this morning.”
Better Simon than their father. Niall nodded and then stood to leave. He was halfway down the hall when he realized what had been niggling at him.
Fergus Gordon was Fiona’s father too.
Chapter Nine
Being summoned to the study was beginning to feel a little less like being called to the principal’s office each time she went, although she was still wary. It had been several days since she’d had her conversation with Niall about finding work, so she assumed that this afternoon she would be getting her answer.
He was sitting in one of the armchairs by the hearth instead of behind the big desk, so hopefully that bode well for her. Or maybe he just wanted to put her at ease before he gave her the bad news. She hated having the decision as to whether she could work or not rest in someone else’s hands—Vi would have a fit—but considering her unusual circumstances, which included being in the eighteenth century and not the twenty-first, she had little choice.
“You asked to see me?”
He rose and gestured her in. “Please. Have a seat.”
Niall really would have made an excellent poker player, she decided, since nothing in his facial expression gave any indication as to where this conversation would go.
She sat. So did he. Good for starters.
He cleared his throat. “Tell me again why ye wish to secure employment.”
What? Were they going to have this conversation again? She managed to keep from sighing. “I do not like having to be dependent on your family.”
