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“Och, Mr. Fancy and hisbroad outlines,” Jennie Robertson muttered.
Her husband shushed her, but Grant ignored her sarcasm. Jennie was a bit of a troublemaker, so he’d give her no fuel to add to the fire.
The captain leaned forward, suddenly eager. “From what my brother tells me, the Kendrick family is well acquainted with doing business in the Americas.”
“True, but we only work out of Canada.”
“Hardly any difference from north to south, my good fellow. It’s all the same, league after league of fertile land, just sitting there empty. It’s a crime, all that land going to waste.”
“I suspect the native people who inhabit those lands would disagree with you,” Grant dryly said. “Not to mention the settlers who’ve been there for, oh, three hundred years or so.”
Brown scoffed. “Natives? They’re hardly worth mentioning.”
Grant leaned a casual elbow on the table. “My brother Logan is the principal owner of Kendrick Shipping and Trade, and he would not countenance such a view. His son is part Mi’kmaq, from one of the native peoples of Canada.”
Like Grant, the vicar now regarded his brother with clear disapproval. “We are all God’s children, and are equally loved in His eyes, John. There’s no need to be so dismissive.”
Captain Brown raised his hands, flashing a rueful smile. “Apologies, Mr. Kendrick. Sometimes my enthusiasm runs away with me.”
It was as insincere an apology as Grant had ever heard, but he simply nodded.
“Ahem. Well, with the help of backers in both Edinburgh and London,” Brown continued, “I have secured an extensive tract of land in South America, in Belize. It’s rich in timber, and there is substantial mineral wealth. Silver, and quite a lot of it, I’m sure.”
Grant raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure? Have you seen the land?”
“Indeed I have. My long service in the military brought me to the Americas more than once over the years. I spent quite a bit of time in the Venezuelan Republic.”
“My brother joined the army when he was only seventeen,” the vicar explained to Grant. “He’s had quite a storied career, mostly spent in fighting Napoleon and the French.” He smiled at his brother. “We are very proud of John. He’s a genuine war hero.”
John clapped his brother on the shoulder. “You make too much of it, David. Besides, Mr. Kendrick has two war heroes in his family. My efforts no doubt pale compared to theirs.”
Ah. So this was no casual encounter, after all. The man had done some research.
“Nonsense, John,” the vicar said. “Your service has been exemplary.”
“Simply doing my duty, old boy,” his brother replied. “Besides, it gave me the chance to travel the world, didn’t it? Provided me with all sorts of opportunities.” He met Grant’s eye. “Like this particular one.”
“When did you acquire this tract of land?” Grant asked.
“I made a scouting trip last winter. When I returned to England to begin rounding up investors, I’m happy to say that I found two excellent ones in London. That allowed me to obtain the capital to make an initial purchase of land three months ago. I’m still seeking additional investors, but we’re now ready to also offer shares to settlers.”
“Now all that’s needed is tofindthose settlers,” David said, getting caught up in his brother’s enthusiasm. “John hopes to have the first group depart for Belize this spring. Isn’t that right?”
“Indeed it is. For a very small price, anyone looking for a better life can stake a claim and sign up to board that first ship. The land is ready to be cleared and farmed.” The captain slapped the table in his enthusiasm. “It’s so bloody lush down there that the land practically farms itself. Why, you can grow just about anything. And there are great profits to be made in timber from cleared land, too.”
Grant crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “So, you’re here to look for potential settlers?”
The captain waved a casual hand. “Why, I’m here to visit with David, of course. It’s been much too long. Dreadful neglect on my part.”
David smiled at him. “And I am grateful, dear brother, but I think we know that Mr. Kendrick is at least partly correct.”
“Nothing wrong with killing two birds with one stone, eh?” John said. “Besides, I’ve heard such grand things about the folks in these parts. Who better than Highlanders to take on the challenge? None are stronger, braver, or more adventurous.” He suddenly adopted an outraged expression. “And with all these blasted Clearances, who is more deserving of a chance at a better life? Kicking them off their ancestral lands was the true crime, I say.”
“Ye be right about that, Captain,” Jennie Robertson piped in. “Robbed of our birthright, we’ve been.”
Her declaration was followed by nods and murmured agreement all around.
The vicar shot Grant a concerned look. “That’s certainly not the case at Lochnagar. Sir Graeme and Lady Sabrina have restored lands to any who were dispossessed.”
