“Someone has to go in,” Annie slowed down so she could speak without panting. “Mr. Haines is in custody. Kingsley may still be ill. I want to be there when the workers come in.”
‘Did it nae occur to ye that anything ye do in the office right now might be suspect?”
Annie frowned. “Last night all of ye seemed to think there would be nae blame placed.”
“I have had time to think. While we all ken ye had nothing to do with the smuggling operation, going to the office today when no one is there might make MacQuarrie think otherwise.”
“Ye escorting me might make him think the same of ye, since ye are in charge of Henderson Shipping and the last load of barley is on one of those ships.” Annie paused. “Mayhap ye should go back.”
“I am nae leaving ye alone.”
“’Tis nae reason to give MacQuarrie cause to implicate Robert’s shipping line,” Annie insisted.
“It might be too late, since the ship has sailed,” Niall answered. “Aidan is dispatching a rider this morning with a letter to Robert explaining the whole situation. He would expect us to stand by ye.”
“Which is all the more reason I must go in today. I want to check the ledger to be certain everything is in order and nae mistake was made.”
“Nae! ’Tis the last thing ye should do.”
“I only intend to look over the numbers,” Annie replied. “Ye remember how I counted nineteen barrels and ye and Mr. Kingsley counted twenty? I doona want a simple error to cast suspicion.”
Niall clenched his jaw. Did the woman nae realize the dangershewas in? “If there is a mistake and ye make any changes, it willbe seen as tampering. Especially since ye decided to go in early this morning.”
Annie scowled. “The workers will nae ken what to do if everything is locked up when they get there.”
“Ye are a stubborn lass.”
“And headstrong, obstinate and willful,” Annie said. “Ye might as well add mulish and pig-headed to your list.”
In spite of the frustration he was feeling with her, Niall had to grin. “I would nae compare ye to a mule or a pig.”
“Humph.”
“I would more likely compare ye to Boudicca.”
Annie stopped walking to stare at him. “The Celtic warrior queen? Why?”
“She managed to hold off the Roman legions.” Niall’s grin widened. “I suspect ye could probably hold off all of Glasgow.”
She started walking again. “I suppose that is a compliment.”
“’Tis.” Niall glanced at her, his smile gone. “But ye doona like compliments. Why is that?”
Annie shook her head, not looking at him. “I never said that.”
“Actually, ye said ye put nae stock in flowery words. Is it so hard to believe me when I tell ye I think ye are strong?”
She colored, still not looking at him. “Thank ye, then. There. I can acknowledge it. Now can we change the subject?”
Niall didn’t want to, but he knew better than to press the subject since it made her more prickly than ever. Some man must really have insulted her. He’d like to find the bastard. “Well, we are almost there,” he said as they rounded a corner and the warehouse came into sight. “It looks as though there is a notice on the door.”
“Oh, nae!” Annie started to run, nearly tripping on the steps as she reached the building.
Niall caught her, his hands nearly encircling her entire waist, reminding him that in spite of her bravado, she was physicallyfragile. Not that she would takethatas a compliment. He dropped his hands once she got her balance, even though he had a strong urge just to pull her closer for protection. Annie would not appreciate that either.
“It says the office is closed until further notification.” Annie turned to Niall. “There are goods stored in there that need to be moved. Today is the day the workers collect their wages, as well. What am I going to do?”
“Whatweare going to do is go home,” Niall answered.
