“Aye, because Emily needs to ken that what is left of her family is on her side.”
George nodded and put away the small book he made all his notes in. “I will get right on it. I hope it brings a response but I have to warn you, these things can take months.”
“I ken it but we really only have to get through the fall and then most everything comes to a halt. I dinnae think even Albert will do much then and he or whatever men he sends against us will be a lot easier to spot.”
Iain just grinned when George laughed. He then shook hands with the man and walked to the house with him so he could collect his wife and child. Iain grinned briefly when he saw Emily in the parlor with Charlotte. The two small boys were arguing genially about whose little wooden train car was better and the women were talking quietly as they sat together on the settee.
* * *
“Oh, it is time to go,” said Charlotte as she rose and brushed down her skirts. “William, we have to go home now.”
William got up with clear reluctance and came over to Charlotte with an obvious dragging of his feet. Emily put a hand over her mouth to hide her smile. It had been a pleasant visit and felt very nice to have a chat with a woman her age. It was also very good for Neddy to play with a child his age. She followed them to the door and said how Charlotte had to come again soon. She meant it but hoped George would understand that care had to be taken. Neddy ran up, took her hand, and said a very polite farewell.
“Eat now?” asked Neddy the moment the Bannisters were gone.
“Neddy, you just had two of Mrs. O’Neal’s little cakes,” Emily said as she ruffled his curls. “You cannot be that hungry.”
“Aye, I can.”
She had to bite back a smile at the way he used the wordayejust like the MacEnroys. “We will have dinner soon, I am sure, so why not go see what Riley is doing outside.”
“Fine.”
Although his tone was that of a disgruntled child, he ran off to find Riley. Emily turned to look at Iain, who just lifted his eyebrows in a silent question. She debated whether she should even ask about his business but Emily only hesitated for a moment.
“Did you finish your business with George?” she asked.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I did. The bank has a new head. The older brother was the one I dealt with and he was quickly replaced by the younger one who actually enjoys bank business. No answer to the letters I sent out a little while ago but George did get news about your family. And he is going to write a note and send it by courier to your uncle, the duke.”
“I hope that works. I hope he finally listens.”
“All we can do is send him word but ye would think the dead family piling up would have already told him what is happening. And what other information we have tells me nothing that makes me think the man will ignore so many dead, shrug it off as silly coincidence.”
“All I want is for him to believe me and I think I will be satisfied. It is very hard to be in danger and the head of the family thinks it is nothing but frivolous talk.”
“He will listen this time. I feel it in my bones.”
* * *
Emily poured the bucket of hot water into the tub and then tested the temperature of the bathwater. Most everyone was asleep and Neddy had wanted to go sleep with Rory so she actually had time to enjoy her bath. It did not need to be a hasty one as in the room off the kitchen with the constant sound of people talking right outside the door. She smiled as she sprinkled some bath salts she had bought in the Trading Post over the water for she realized she was spoiled when it came to her baths.
She stripped off her clothes, checked to make certain her clean garments were laid out on the bed so she could dress quickly, and then slowly lowered her body into the water. It was not the nice tub she was accustomed to but it served. She put some soap on the washrag and began to bathe. When she finished scrubbing herself clean she washed her hair, grabbed the toweling she had put near the tub, and wrapped it around her head. Then, because the water was still nice and warm, she sank down into the tub and just soaked in it.
Despite her efforts to clear her mind and just relax, Emily began to think on Albert and how to get him out of the way. She had already sent one letter to her grandfather but it had been just before Annabel and David had been killed. He was the only one she had considered it was safe to write to. Her grandfather might not believe her story about Albert killing her parents but he would not reveal anything to anyone else. She had told Annabel the duke was the only one she could write to but her sister had never warmed up to the man and did not want to. Emily might think her grandfather was a bit pigheaded but he was also wise enough to not let any information get into Albert’s hands. He might not fully believe in her suspicions but he would never give any information to one she feared and hated.
Since she had never heard back from her grandfather she had to assume that he still did not believe her. That was sad because he was a man with the power and wealth needed to get rid of Albert. In England he would have to merely have a word with a magistrate and Albert would have been dragged to gaol. Over here, his title would not mean much out in Arkansas but he still had the money and the skill to get others to deal with things for him. He had power and skill and used both ruthlessly when he needed to.
The sound of a door opening pulled her from her thoughts and she frowned, wondering who had come back into the house. Then she shivered and opened her eyes for she felt as if she was being watched. Glancing up she squeaked in shock and crossed her arms over her breasts. Iain was standing right next to the tub.
“Ye dinnae like the room off the kitchen?” He crouched by the side of the tub and dragged his fingers through the water.
“There are a lot of people who go in and out of the kitchen and there is always someone talking in there so, even with the door closed, one can feel exposed.”
“Ah, so ye like a lot of privacy for your bath.”
“Yes, or the illusion of it. So perhaps you could leave so I can go back to illusion of privacy. So, shoo.” She took one arm out so she could make a shooing motion with her hand but, to her annoyance, all that got was a wide grin and Iain making himself more comfortable.
“Iain, you should not be in here. What if someone comes up?”
