“If Thorsay were a republic like the United States and women could vote, you’d be elected the laird,” he said seriously.
She laughed. “You have a fantastical imagination.”
“I don’t know how I’d manage without you,” he said seriously.
“You would have figured out how to be laird soon enough. Three months from now, you’ll have no need of me.”
And when that day came, Signy would be free to leave the islands. It was a discussion she really needed to have with Ramsay, and soon.
* * *
The Drummonds’ house was sizable and modern, and their dinner with the family was informal, friendly, and educational. Ramsay learned more about the kelp trade, including where the product was shipped in the South for use in the manufacture of soap and glass. He also discussed safety issues with Mr. Drummond, who listened with real interest and had several good ideas of his own.
Ramsay and Signy and the older Drummonds ended up talking around the drawing room fire until the mantel clock struck ten times and their hosts rose to say good night. Signy covered a yawn, saying, “I’ll soon call it a night also, but I want to talk to the laird about our itinerary over the next few days.”
Mrs. Drummond shook her head with a smile. “What would the Lairds of Thorsay do without you, Signy?”
“They’d manage,” Signy said, returning the smile, “but not as well.”
After their hosts retired, Ramsay said, “I hope the discussion will be short. I have barely enough energy to climb the stairs.”
“I feel much the same, so I’ll keep this brief.” Signy took a small sip of her watered-down local whisky. “What do you think of your first day reacquainting yourself with Thorsay?”
Ramsay laughed. “I am hoping that none of the future visits are so exhausting! But it was worthwhile. I have a better understanding of the kelp trade, and I’ve met good people who I hope will become friends.”
“You’ve also gone a long way toward winning over all Thorsayians,” she observed. “The story of you risking your life to save a young girl will have spread to all the islands by the end of the week. You’re a hero, and our islanders like their laird to be heroic. Larger than life, like your grandfather.”
“I’d have been a dead hero if not for your quick thinking and horsemanship.” He sipped at his less-watered-down whisky. “Horsewomanship.”
Signy shuddered visibly. “It was a very near-run thing. Harald Drummond told me that Thor is getting oats tonight.”
“So we all dined well. Mrs. Drummond has a fine cook.” He gave a tired sigh. “What can I expect in future days?”
“In Skillness, you’ll meet some of Thorsay’s most important ship owners to learn of their concerns and what they would like the laird to do. After that, we’ll follow the coast south and you can visit some fishing villages, the largest linen works on Mainland, and a couple of smaller kelp works.”
He nodded. “Will I be meeting some farmers before we return to Skellig House?”
“Yes, we’ll pay a call on Mr. Smithson. He has the most acreage under cultivation of any farmer in Thorsay. He’s keen to discuss a change in the traditional five-year crop rotation. Something about planting white clover in what is usually the year for raising grass for grazing.”
Ramsay’s brow furrowed. “I believe I read something about how clover improves the soil substantially, so it sounds like a good idea. Why would Mr. Smithson need to discuss that with me? Presumably he can do what he likes with his own fields.”
“I think he would like moral and financial support from the new laird.”
Ramsay looked pained. “Moral support is easy, but I don’t know about the financial part. I’ll be happy to talk to him, of course. What else?”
“If we time it right,” she said mischievously, “you can be in Clanwick on the summer solstice for the annual playing of the ba’.”
Ramsay groaned. The ba’ was a riotous affair in which teams from opposing geographical areas such as North and South struggled furiously to move a ball to the harbor. “Last time I played I cracked my collarbone. Having survived near drowning in the Atlantic, I have no desire to risk breaking my neck in an insane scramble through the streets of Clanwick in pursuit of a feather-stuffed ball.”
Signy laughed. “No one has been killed in years, though there are generally some broken bones.”
She was lovely in the firelight, her hair shining like dark copper and her long body elegantly alluring. Since her own clothing was drying, she wore a loose gray robe that belonged to the eldest Drummond daughter. The robe was short on her, and her graceful ankles were visible between the hem and her warm socks.
He felt a stirring of energy and realized that he was less tired than he’d thought. “I’ll leave this year’s ba’ to the young fools. What I really want is to investigate some new ruins. My grandfather mentioned the discovery of an ancient church somewhere south of Skillness?”
“Yes, at Burnbray. The ancient church probably goes back to the earliest days of Christianity in Thorsay. A more recent church dedicated to St. James was built on top of it, and the older ruins have only recently been discovered below.”
Ramsay’s eyes gleamed. “That sounds really intriguing. Can I have, say, one ruin for every incident of sober lairdly duty?”
