AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Graeme went to fetch a cup of tea, while Royal dropped a kiss on his wife’s head before sitting down.
“If I were a ghost,” Royal said, “I’d be sure to moan and wail in a dramatic fashion, clanging my bloody broadsword against the stone walls of the manor.”
“That is disgusting,” Ainsley said. “I forbid you to engage in such behavior, even when you’re dead.”
Sabrina smiled. “Lochnagar could use a good ghost.”
“You’ll be sure to lose Hannah if one pops up,” Ainsley replied.
Graeme took a seat. “A distinct advantage. And I repeat, who will never talk to you again, Sabrina? Is there a problem with one of the servants?”
The man was truly a dog with a bone.
“It’s nothing,” she said.
He narrowed his gaze. “Lass—”
“My dear, hardly anyone in this blasted house will talk to any of us,” Ainsley smoothly interrupted. “It’s quite frustrating, as I’m sure you know.”
Royal grimaced. “We do. We’ve spent the last three days trying to pry information out of the tenants and villagers. Tight-lipped as oysters.”
“One would think the remaining tenants would be eager to talk about the problems on the estate,” Sabrina said. “We’ve made it clear we want to help.”
“They’ve heard that before, from your former estate manager, for one. After he then handed out a number of eviction notices, one can say that trust in outsiders became nonexistent.”
“But you’re Highlanders,” she protested. “Surely they should be willing to speak with you.”
“Highlanders or not, we’re still outsiders,” Graeme replied.
“Did you try the brogue?” Ainsley asked. “That usually does it.”
Royal snorted. “Graeme put on a brogue so heavy even I could barely understand him.”
“One of the crofters laughed at me,” Graeme dryly said. “I am truly losing my touch.”
Ainsley patted his arm. “Never mind, dear. It’s time to give up all this spy business. All this skulking about can’t be good for your health.”
“My health is just fine, thank you.” He looked at Sabrina. “The real problem is that they know Royal and I aren’t the ones in charge.”
“That would be my father.”
“Yes, and no one trusts an absentee landlord, aSassenach, no less.”
Sabrina put down her teacup with a sigh. “It all sounds rather hopeless, doesn’t it?”
Graeme waggled a hand. “Not quite. We finally had a bit of success with one of the oldest crofters, Stan MacTavish. He manages a large herd of coos.”
“What are coos?” Ainsley asked.
“A species of Highland cattle,” Sabrina replied. “Hardy, and an excellent source of income.”
Graeme flashed her a smile. “Correct. You should be able to have a nice chat with Mr. MacTavish about it. He was willing to speak to us because he’s crusty enough not to give a damn what anyone thinks of him. He also feels safe from eviction, since your father apparently wishes to expand his cattle holdings.”
“And what did Mr. MacTavish have to say?” Sabrina asked.
“First, let me tell you what’s been nagging at me,” Graeme said. “Why did your father replace the previous estate steward in the first place? Mr. Hugo had served as steward here for years.”
“I assumed it was because he wouldn’t follow orders to enact the Clearances,” Sabrina replied.
