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Splendid. Now she thought him brainless.
Graeme made an effort to wrestle his temper under control. “My lady, may I suggest we return to Lochnagar? It’s getting late.”
She glanced at the old case clock sitting on a shelf behind the bar. “It’s barely four o’clock. Besides, we’re having a very interesting conversation, which you should be part of.”
“You can tell me all about it on the way home.”
She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
Mentally cursing, Graeme gave in, hooking an empty chair with his foot and swinging it over to the table.
“Can I be gettin’ ye a pint, sir?” Monroe asked.
“Another time, thank you. I really must be getting her ladyship home as soon as possible.”
Sabrina cast the barkeep an apologetic smile. “You must excuse Mr. Kendrick, sir. He’s rather a worrier, I’m afraid.”
Oh, he’d give her something to worry about, once he got her home.
“I’m simply concerned for your well-being, my lady. You shouldn’t be riding around an unfamiliar neighborhood without an escort.”
“This neighborhood, as you deem it, is my family’s ancestral lands. Besides, the hamlet is barely a mile from the gatehouse. I’m sure I was never in any danger.”
“I’m actually quite good at measuring distances,” Graeme replied. “And a mile is certainly long enough for something to happen to an unescorted young woman.”
Sabrina looked ready to argue, but the vicar turned and earnestly pressed her gloved hand. “Mr. Kendrick is correct, my lady. Given the present circumstances, it’s best you exercise caution.”
Sabrina blew out an exasperated breath. “It seems overly cautious to me. After all, no one seems to know if the Barrs have even remained in the vicinity.”
Graeme frowned. “Who are the Barrs?”
“The smugglers,” Sabrina explained. “The ones brewing illegal whisky on Lochnagar lands.”
Monroe solemnly nodded. “Aye, right bastards they are, too. Beggin’ yer ladyship’s pardon,” he said.
Graeme felt the hairs bristle on the back of his neck. “You were discussing the smugglers? In here?”
She looked puzzled. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Hell and damnation.
Because half the bloody village was in the pub, and one or more of the locals might be in cahoots with the damn Barrs, whoever they were. If so, the Barrs would soon know that Sabrina was on to them.
“What else have you been discussing with the villagers?” he asked, trying to keep a level tone.
Several people shifted uncomfortably and exchanged furtive glances.
“How to improve the situation at Lochnagar, for one thing.”
Sabrina sounded a trifle mystified. She had no bloody idea how bad this could be.
“Like stoppin’ them bloody Clearances,” someone called from the back of the room. “Will ye be doin’ that, or do ye need your da’s permission?”
Sabrina peered around, trying to identify who’d spoken. “It’s my intention to stop—”
“And what about them Barrs?” interrupted a middle-aged woman in a mobcap. Graeme recognized her as the daughter of one of the remaining crofters. “They’re a bad lot, and who’s to say they willna be comin’ back?”
Sabrina bristled. “Isay.”
