“Perhaps it would be best if we hear what Owen has to say,” Aidan interjected.
“Yes. Hear me out,” Owen said. “Haines strikes me as the sort who does not want trouble. He has Kingsley to handle the inventory and supervise the warehousemen. Haines can deal with customer disputes. As long as Annie sticks to processing the paperwork, she should be all right.”
Annie opened her mouth to protest, but Owen held up his hand.
“Wait. I understand you do not want to be held back, but it is the best compromise at this time. If you cause too much disruption, he will simply dismiss you.”
Annie started to retort, then snapped her mouth shut. She knew very well her position was tenuous. She refused to look at Niall. He was probably smirking.
“I agree that Annie will be safe at work,” Aidan said. “I doona care much for Kingsley, but ’twas easy to see he was in charge of the men who work there. My concern is for what ye have left unsaid. What about the streets?”
“That is another matter.” Owen grimaced. “I spent the morning at the Merchants House and Trades Hall, speaking with owners and proprietors of the textile mills, and the afternoon in taverns listening to talk. Men are not happy with what took place Sunday, even if they were not directly involved.”
“We had a right to stand in front of the church.” Annie lifted her chin. “We also have a right to expect to earn decent wages.”
“Perhaps you do,” Owen replied, “but the men are angry about it.”
“And ye have seen what angry men do,” Niall said to Annie. “Ye need to stay off the streets.”
Annie scowled. “Doona tell me what to do.”
“’Tis for your own good, lass.”
She rolled her eyes. “There ye go, insulting me again.”
Niall shook his head. “I am nae insulting ye.”
“Yeare. Ye think I doona ken what is good for me?”
“I dinna say that.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “How many times do ye need to be accosted to understand the danger ye put yourself in?”
“How…many…” Annie started to sputter. “I am nae daft—”
“Nae. Ye are just stubborn.”
“Ye are arrogant.”
“Enough,” Aidan said. “Sparring like bairns will nae solve the problem.” He looked at Owen and then Niall. “We all need to keep our eyes and ears open for more discord.” He turned back to Annie. “Meanwhile, at least one of us will be your escort whenever ye leave the house. Niall is right. ’Tis for your own safety. It matters nae how smart ye are, lass. A woman is nae match for a man’s fist. Ye do ken that?”
As much as she hated to admit it, Aidan—and Niall—were both right. Reluctantly, she nodded. “All right. I will agree to an escort.” Annie focused on Niall. “But nae more hovering over me once I get to the office. I want Mr. Haines to respect me. Agreed?”
Niall looked as if he wanted to disagree, but instead he nodded. “Agreed. Ye drive a hard bargain, lass.”
Annie shrugged. “’Tis because I am stubborn.”
Niall’s eyes widened and then he grinned. “That, too.”
****
When Annie got to the office the next morning—Niall had left her at the door like he promised—she found Kingsley sitting at the desk, looking over the ledgers. She hung her coat on the rack and walked over to him. “What are ye looking for?”
“Nothing in particular. The warehouse has received several shipments as well as sent some out, and I haven’t had a chance to double-check the accuracy of the entries.” Kingsley closed thebook and smiled at Annie. “Not that I find many errors. You are very accurate.”
“Thank ye. I doona want Mr. Haines to be disappointed in my work.”
“Neither do I, which is why two pairs of eyes are definitely better than one. We want to make sure nothing has been missed.” Kingsley stood. “I think Mr. Haines said he was expecting another load of tobacco to come in, so I’d better go clear some space in the warehouse.”
“He’s expecting more barley to come in too, so be sure ye keep the area clear where he likes to store it.” She frowned slightly. “I thought the barley had all been harvested already. I am nae sure where this is coming from.”
