‘Only when they’re behaving like a goosecap,’ Jennifer answered with a smile, ‘and anyway, you’re hardly a servant.’
Brendon lifted his brows and gazed at her with enigmatic blue eyes. ‘Am ah nae? What be ah then … ma lady?’ The intensity of his voice had her colouring up, and she had to remind herself that the Scot was no unlocked cub, happy to sit at her feet and lap up any crumbs she deigned to toss him.
Wisely, she refrained from answering. Instead, she pointed to a distant mound in the middle of the loch. ‘Is that Inveruglas?’ she asked, hating the now familiar breathless sound of her voice.
‘Nae, that be Inchgalbraith. It were the seat o’ ma clan in times bygane.’
‘What happened?’ Jennifer asked softly.
Brendon sighed. ‘Backing the wrong side fer the most part,’ he answered simply. ‘First agin the Crown, then, two hundred years back, Robert Galbraith o’ Culcreuch lost agin the Clan MacAulay, and fled tae Ireland. There be only a few o’ us left.’ He looked down at her before adding drily, ‘Caerlaverock is built on what was Galbraith land.’
‘Ouch.’ Jennifer winced. ‘Should I apologise?’
‘Fer ma ancestor’s foolishness? Ah dinnae think it be your fault,ma lady.’ He nodded back towards the tiny island in the distance. ‘Inchgalbraith – Galbraith. The island be where we come frae, but naethin’ more.’
‘Do you ever go there?’ Jennifer asked, sensing he was making light of a sensitive subject. He shook his head, then sighed.
‘Ma da gaies ower tae sit dreamin’ o’ days long gaun.’ He stopped as they reached the edge of the loch and shrugged. ‘Fer all the guid it daes him.’
Jennifer stared at the distant island, sensing it meant much more than the Scot was letting on. ‘So where is Inveruglas?’ she asked, going back to their original subject.
‘Th’ower way,’ he answered, but ye cannae see it frae here.’ Unexpectedly he turned towards her and gave a small bow. ‘Would ye like tae sit ma lady? Ah took the liberty o’ bringin’ a blanket.’ With a flourish, he pulled a large tartan blanket from the bag he was carrying and laid it on the ground.
‘Why, thank you kind sir,’ Jennifer murmured, with a gracious bend of her head, taking his proffered hand and seating herself.
‘Some lemonade an’ a slab o’ tablet,’ the Scot added with a grin. ‘Ah ken it be ma lady’s favourite.’
‘You ken correctly,’ Jennifer retorted with a returning smile. Picking up a piece, she took a large, very unladylike bite and groaned. ‘I doubt I’ll ever become tired of it,’ she murmured, savouring its sweetness.
‘As Malcolm said, yer teeth’ll be tellin’ ye when enough be enough,’ Brendon commented drily, sitting down next to her and handing her a glass of lemonade. ‘This be Mrs. Allen’s speciality accordin’ tae Gifford.’
Jennifer took a small sip and nodded in approval.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, then Jennifer looked backin the direction of Inveruglas. ‘Do you think any harm will come to them?’ she asked in a small voice.
Brendon didn’t answer immediately, then, ‘Ah dinnae ken, ma lady. Ah’ve nae doot the MacFarlane will be thinkin’ o’ the jewellery fer himself. If he’s resorted tae using bairns tae dig up gold from an all but deid pit, then ah ken he must be a desperate man. We’re takin’ a gamble he be too lazy to dae the diggin’ fer the jewels himself. An’ if there be anythin’ we ken aboot Alistair MacFarlane, aside frae him bein’ a ne'er-dae-weel, it be that he dinnae like hard work.’ The Scot sighed before adding, ‘Mebbe we could hae gaun tae Inveruglas wi’oot the bampot kennin’ but ah doot it.’
‘But if he does agree to them digging on the island, he won’t allow them to leave will he?’
‘Nae, lass.’ Brendon answered simply.
Jennifer bit her lip. ‘Thank you for telling me the truth.’
‘It willnae come tae that. Malcolm and ah’ll be waitin’ ashore. As soon as we ken the guards hae left, we’ll sneak in an’ rescue the bairns. Hopefully wi’oot any bloodshed. By the time the MacFarlane awakens, we’ll hae them all safe an’ soond back in Caerlaverock.’
‘Do you think there will be any reprisals?’ Jennifer asked, trying hard to keep the fear out of her voice.
‘Ah dinnae ken, but ah cannae believe he’ll be wantin’ tae take on the powerful Duke o’ Blackmore. Everyone thinks the mine be finished. Ah cannae imagine the MacFarlane will want folks hereaboots tae ken what he’s been daein. He’ll sit tight in his keep ‘til the dust hae settled. Then find some other way tae get coin.’ Brendon paused, then added, ‘If he dinnae, his Clan could be gaun foraye.’
Jennifer knew he was thinking back to the loss of his own Clan.Impulsively, she put out her hand and laid it over his.
Brendon sucked in his breath at the feel of her small fingers against his. Their eyes met, and it was Jennifer’s turn to draw in her breath as she recognised the raw desire in his. But she didn’t remove her hand. They were so close, she fancied she could feel the dull thud of his heart through his shirt. As if in a dream, she lifted her other hand and cupped his cheek. She saw the very second he was lost, and triumph surged through her body as with a low groan, he leaned forward and covered her lips with his. Instinctively, she slipped the hand round his neck, and leaned into him, marvelling at the softness of his full lips.
But Jennifer knew he was still holding back. While his lips were sliding across hers, creating havoc with her senses, she sensed he was holding himself under iron control. His hands were planted firmly on the blanket either side of her. It wouldn’t do. Lifting the hand that had remained on his, she slipped it too around his neck, linked her fingers and tugged.
As she’d hoped, it was enough to overbalance him. Instinctively sliding his arm around her back to break her fall, Jennifer finally found herself lying full length on the blanket, his big body half straddling hers, cocooned in his arms.
For long seconds, he stared down at her, then his glorious eyes narrowed. ‘Ye did that deliberately.’
