“Is that what ye need me to look into? I’ll figure it out.”
“Nay, ’tis no’ that. Jocelyn is actually helping me with that piece.”
Malcolm raised a brow in question. “How so?” His eyes darted to Jocelyn and then back to Gunn.
Would ye believe me if I told ye she was a bookkeeper?”
Malcolm’s eyes slid over to Jocelyn again and Gunn could tell he was sizing her up before shaking his head. “Nay. I wouldna believe it.”
“She is. Taught by her father. So she says,” he added.
Flora entered, pushing a cart filled with dome-covered plates, to serve dinner, setting a plate in front of each of them.
Malcolm hummed in appreciation. “Your cook is still here, I see. I look forward to her food e’ery visit.”
Scents of roast duck, boiled carrots, and parsnip mash filled the room.
“This looks delicious and smells divine,” Jocelyn cooed. “Flora, give my regards to Cook, please.”
“Of course, my lady.” She curtsied, then refilled their wine glasses before returning to the kitchen.
Conversation flowed easily over dinner. Gunn was pleased to see Jocelyn and Lizzie getting on well. He had no doubt it would be so. Everyone was Lizzie’s friend, and Jocelyn looked like she could desperately use a confidant. He was happy to bring them together.
Dessert consisted of egg custard with a berry compote, once again, cooked to perfection. Jocelyn took a bite and moaned, closing her eyes as she savored the sweet treat. She opened her eyes and caught Gunn staring.
With a hand over her mouth, she giggled.
“I can’t help it. I could eat like this every day and be in heaven.”
Gunn suddenly yearned to be the one to ensure she could enjoy meals like this every day.
Malcolm shot him a look of awareness, but Gunn shook his head. Trying to tell his friend he was reading more into the situation than what was there.
But inside he kenned it was a lie.
The more time he spent in Jocelyn’s company, the more he wanted to ken her better.
*
“So, how didye come to be at the Thistle & Pig?” Lizzie asked after dinner and she and Jocelyn had settled into a room that had a roaring fire and comfortable chairs to relax in.
“It was a journey,” she answered, taking a sip of sherry.
It looked like Lizzie was waiting for her to expand her answer and when she didn’t, instead of prying, she moved on to more neutral conversation.
“Did I overhear Gunn saying that ye were doing some bookkeeping work for him?”
She bobbed her head up and down. “Yes, though I am not so certain he is happy with my findings so far.”
“Nay? Why no’?”
Jocelyn sighed, wondering if she should divulge such information to Lizzie. It appeared that Gunn trusted her as Malcolm’s wife. And of course, he trusted Malcolm wholeheartedly. “I fear I have uncovered an unsavory plot that includes money being stolen from Gunn’s coffers,” she said quietly.
“Nay,” Lizzie exclaimed.
“Unfortunately, yes. It seems to have started around a year or so after he left to fight in the war. Transactions for large amounts of money, but no inventory acquired.”
Lizzie shook her head and took a sip of sherry. “Wow. ’Tis impressive ye uncovered that. And that ye bookkeep. Where’er did ye learn such a skill?”
