‘You won’t be in there,’ Peter reminded him with a chuckle. ‘And if you’re sick, you’re unlikely to want much dinner. But don’t worry Grandfather, Jennifer, Felicity and I will take it in turns to bring up your gruel...’
‘An by the morra, his lordship’ll be tellin’ the servants that me an’ Malcolm’ll be laid up in bed wi’ it, so they’ll be keepin tae the kitchen as much as they can.’
Peter grimaced. ‘That’s a lot of deuced gruel to get through and I can’t abide the stuff.’
‘Give it to Flossy,’ Reverend Shackleford advised. ‘She’s a greedy madam and won’t turn her nose up to a bit of slop.’
‘Me an’ Malcolm will leave here at midnight an’ follow ye tae the MacFarlane Clan home,’ Brendon continued. ‘If the bampot haenae slung ye oot on yer ear by then, we’ll abide in case ye need us. If all gaes accordin’ tae the plan, we’ll follow ye tae Inveruglas, stayin’ as near tae the mine as we dare. Dinnae look fer us. Remember the signal.’
‘Do you have the field glasses?’ Peter quizzed.
Reverend Shackleford patted his bag, just as the door opened to reveal Jennifer.
‘I think Gifford is getting a little anxious,’ she informed them. Crossing the room, she impulsively threw her arms around her grandfather. ‘Thank you for doing this, Grandpapa,’ she whispered, fighting back tears. ‘Please don’t do anything foolish, will you. Mama will never forgive us if we bring you back in a box.’
The Reverend patted her back. ‘Likely your father will increase your allowance,’ he countered with a dark chuckle. ‘Look after Flossy.’
∞∞∞
Those remaining did their best to indulge in light conversation during lunch, but apprehension had them itching to leave the table as soon as propriety allowed.
‘I’m going to take Flossy for a walk down to the loch,’ Jennifer informed the table in general, picking up the little dog and climbing to her feet. She glanced over at Felicity about to ask if the matron wished to accompany her, but before she had the chance to speak, she caught sight of the lady’s white face. Clearly, Felicity was anxious about her husband’s role in the rescue to come, and it suddenly dawned on Jennifer that Malcolm was no longer a young man. He’d been simplytherefor the whole of her life, strong and stalwart. Her father’s rock.
Felicity would wish to be with him before he departed with Brendon after dinner.
‘I’d prefer it if you did not go alone,’ Peter responded. At Jennifer’s glare, he held out a placating hand. ‘Don’t be so Friday faced, Jenny. I’m not worried about your falling into the loch again, but given the situation, I would simply prefer it if you were accompanied.’
‘Ah’ll go wi her ladyship, if it please yer, ma lord.’
Jennifer’s eyes flew to the steward, but he was looking earnestly at her brother.
‘Thank you, Brendon, but that simply gives us the added problem of a chaperone,’ Peter answered tiredly. He thought for a second then pursed his lips and gave a determined shake of his head. ‘Fiend seize it, this is hardly London. Yes please, Brendon, I’d be grateful if you’d accompany her ladyship.’
The steward looked towards Jennifer. ‘Will ma presence besufficient tae put ye at ease, ma lady?’ he asked carefully.
Jennifer gave a very unladylike snort. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. Since you’ve already saved me from drowning, I really think you more than qualify as adequate protection. I will meet you at the front of the house in ten minutes if that suits.’
Then, without waiting for his reply, she swept out of the room.
∞∞∞
An hour after leaving Caerlaverock, the Reverend and Gifford finally spotted Dougal waiting by the roadside. As they got closer, the clergyman frowned. Even from this distance he could tell that the horse and cart the Scot was driving was not nearly as luxurious as the one he was currently sitting on. He groaned internally. ‘How long do you think it will take us to reach the MacFarlane Clan home,’ he asked the elderly steward, realising he really should have asked the question much, much earlier.
‘Ah reckon ye be there afore the midges eat much o’ ye,’ Gifford answered blithely.
Reverend Shackleford fell silent. There wasn’t really much else to say.
Ten minutes later, the clergyman was seated next to Dougal on a cart that looked as though it had been put together with what leftover bits of wood happened to be lying around. He watched longingly as Gifford waved goodbye and headed back to Caerlaverock.
‘Well, ma friend, it be jus ye an' me. Would ye be partial tae a drop o’ whisky tae ease yer arse? Dinnae fash, ye’ll nae be feelin’ it at all by the time we get tae the MacFarlane.’
∞∞∞
There was an oddly comfortable silence as Jennifer and Brendon picked their way down towards the loch shore. Flossy was sniffing along the trail behind Fergus, keen to keep as close as possible to her giant friend.
At first the steward had walked a respectful few paces behind, but Jennifer soon put a stop to that by turning round and ordering him to walk with her.
‘Dae ye order yer servants aboot in such a manner when ye be in England?’ he’d asked drily.
