“Every time we put it out, it means the bootleg arrives that night. Women and children stay put at home. To us men, it means: don’t go through the library. Take the outside path to the cave. We knew His Grace would never leave the tower.”
Gabriel winced.
“But with Her Grace prowling around at night, it wasn’t safe to use the secret passage in the library. And Logan said, if it frightened Her Grace, so much the better. Apologies, Yer Grace,” Bruis explained.
“What about McKenna burning down the school?” asked Birdie. She glared at the men. “What was that good for?”
“Aye, that wasn’t necessary. McKenna said with all the bairns up here, there was too much traffic. Couldn’t do our work properly. Best to keep everyone away. Not that I agreed wi’ any of it. He nearly killed his own kid, too.” Bruis shook his head.
Higgins had returned to his butler role and was serving the men. They looked at him with respect.
“What about you, Higgins? Did you know about any of this?” Gabriel looked at him sternly.
“Of course, Your Grace.” He served tea with a serenity that astounded Gabriel.
“And it never occurred to you to tell me about it?”
“No, Your Grace, I didn’t think it’d interest you.”
Gabriel searched for words. Maybe there was a grain of truth in Higgins’ words. But now, he could no longer pretend to be disinterested. His library was full of bootlegged whisky and other contraband. The people looked to him for leadership.
After everyone had left, Birdie hesitated. Gabriel remained sitting at the table, deep in thought. “So many people wanting something from you,” she said with a wan smile. “You will be very busy fixing everyone’s lives.”
Gabriel looked up, startled. “Birdie. I didn’t know you were still here.”
She felt a pang. It reminded her of her own predicament; that her position here was anything but secure. She sat down in the empty chair next to his. It was time for some plain speaking. It was time for him to know the truth.
“I wanted to talk to you about something. Before I leave,” she began.
Before she could continue, Gabriel pulled her into his lap and buried his head into her hair. The hairs on her neck stood on end. “For one moment I thought I’d lost you.” His voice sounded husky. “I couldn’t have borne it.”
“Gabriel,” Birdie said helplessly. “I need to tell you something.”
He lifted his head and frowned. “Is there someone arriving?”
The sound of wheels crunching on the gravel outside heralded the arrival of a coach.
Hurrying footsteps slapped on the stone stairs outside. The brass knocker boomed.
“Coming, coming,” Higgins grumbled and made his way towards the door. He swung it open.
“Well. I must say. This is a fine establishment you got yourself here,” someone said an all too familiar voice.
A young man, looking from head to toe like a veritable tulip, twirled his walking stick as he looked around curiously.
Birdie gasped. “Freddie!”
Her brother Alfred had arrived.
Chapter 21
“Hullo old mum. Fancy finding you here.” Freddie tapped his stick on the floor. “Bang up place, this. A bit old, no? Does the stone hold or will it come crumbling down on my head?”
Gabriel had scrambled to his feet.
“Ah. You are the Duke of Dunross, I presume?” Freddie took off his hat and made a flourishing obeisance.
“Yes. And you are?” Gabriel looked like the wind had been taken out of his sails.
