Annie raised an eyebrow. “So do ye and Owen. Ye both flatter me like ’tis some game between ye.”
“I cannae speak for MacLean,” Niall said, “but I mean what I say. Ye do have eyes the color of a thistle bloom—”
“Must ye constantly be reminding me that I am a thistle? Besides, my eyes areblue.”
“Ye do make it easy.” Niall grinned. “Right now, I see sparks shooting from yourvioleteyes and your hair is glowing bright as a Beltane fire. ’Tis a verra pretty sight.”
“There ye go again using flattery.”
Niall tilted his head, his smile gone. “Why do ye nae like compliments?”
Oh, Lord! How to answer? Her face was probably glowing like a Beltane fire too. ‘I…just doona put much faith in sweet words.” Then, before he could press further, she said quickly, “So what other reason do ye have for nae trusting Mr. Kingsley?”
“Something just does nae seem right.” Niall shook his head. “I wish my brother, Lachlan, were here. His instincts regarding a man are rarely wrong.”
“I think ye are putting too much thought into this.”
“Thought? Nae. Thought is logic. This is more a feeling that I have.” Niall paused. “But Aidan is logical. The most practical one among us. Mayhap I should bring him to the warehouse—”
“I doona think that necessary,” Annie replied. Dear God! All she needed was another MacDonald hovering around. Along with Owen, that would make three men being protective. Mr. Haines would think her incapable for sure.
“Aidan has been busy learning the books at Henderson Shipping,” Niall continued as though she hadn’t interrupted. “’Tis time he see the warehousing end of it as well.”
“I doona think it a good idea for Aidan to stop by the warehouse,” Annie said.
“And I doona think it a good idea for ye to work there,” Niall replied as they approached the boardinghouse.
Annie preceded him up the steps. “We will just have to agree to disagree on that.”
“Aye, we will,” Niall said, opening the door. “Then ’tis settled.”
Annie gave him a side glance as she walked inside. “What is settled?”
“Ye did just say we need to agree to disagree, aye?” Niall grinned at her. “Aidan will be stopping by.”
****
“Ye want me to do what?” Aidan asked the next day when Niall met him at Henderson Shipping and they were both behind the closed door of the small office.
“I need your reaction to John Kingsley. I sense something is off about him.”
“I have nae the skill to read a man like Lachlan does,” Aidan answered.
“True, but Lachlan is nae here. Besides, I want your opinion on Haines’ business.”
“I am only in Glasgow to learn how Robert’s books are set up so I can duplicate them on Skye.” Aidan put down the quill he’d been using. “What reason would I use for wanting to inspect Haines’ warehouse?”
“Ye would nae have to go into the warehouse.”
“If Kingsley is foreman of the warehouse, would that nae be where I would find him?”
“He seems to spend just as much time in the office with Annie when he does nae need to. ’Tis another thing I find strange.”
Aidan smiled. “Could that be the source of your suspicion? Are ye sure ye are nae jealous?”
“Nae!” Given Aidan’s inquiring look, Niall realized he may have said that a little louder than he needed to. “Nae. Why should I be?”
“Ye do seem to spend a lot of time with her.”
