“He asked if I knew of a bank that would lend to him under less than ideal circumstances,” Vance said. “It sounds as if he needs a rather substantial amount of money. Do you know enough of his situation to explain? He said explicitly that you were his oldest friend and could be trusted with anything.”
Broc guessed that Vance would have moved heaven and earth to rescue his lady. These were indeed people who would do anything for Kai, who might need more than the name of a bank.
Succinctly, Broc explained about the hard times that had struck Thorsay, about the old laird’s unfortunate but necessary loan from Roald Ramsay, and the possibly disastrous consequences if Roald broke his verbal agreement to extend the loan’s due date by a year.
He finished, “Roald Ramsay is a shifty devil. Given half a reason, he’s quite capable of calling in the loan at any time after the twenty-first of September. If he did that and Kai couldn’t borrow enough money elsewhere to repay him, he would lose everything except the title of laird, which is essentially worthless if Kai doesn’t have the resources needed to lead Thorsay.”
Vance frowned. “Ramsay sent you all the way to London in the hope of learning the name of a friendly bank? That was surely a long shot. He has no friends who could lend him twenty-five thousand pounds under easier terms?”
“Even if he had a friend who was spectacularly wealthy and willing,” Broc replied, “he’s reluctant to borrow so much from a friend when he has no idea how long it will take to repay the money.”
Vance nodded. “Most men would feel that way.”
“He had another reason for sending me to London,” Broc added. “His friend Signy Matheson was a great aid to Kai’s grandfather, the old laird. She’s also a talented artist who would love to come to London to study with a painter named Sophie Macleod, but it’s unlikely that will be possible, so Kai sent me to persuade Miss Macleod to visit Thorsay.”
“I’ve seen Miss Macleod’s work at the Maxwell Gallery,” Lady Aurora said with interest. “She’s very good, with a unique way of viewing the world.”
“Indeed, and I can see why Signy would love to study with her,” Broc agreed. “I managed to persuade Miss Macleod to come to Thorsay for a few weeks so she can tutor Signy and get away from London. She’s making arrangements and won’t be able to leave for at least another week.”
“How did you travel to London?” Vance asked. “It’s usually a long and complicated journey from Thorsay, isn’t it?”
“It certainly is!” Broc said with feeling. “But since time is crucial, Kai gave me the use of theFreya,one of the Ramsay-owned coastal vessels. TheFreyabrought me down and will take me and Miss Macleod back when she’s ready.” Broc grimaced. “The sailors are getting restless to return.”
“I have an idea,” Vance said slowly. “As I mentioned, the five of us cellar survivors vaguely planned to gather when peace arrived, and this may be a good time for us to sail up together. It will take a few days to organize the group, and by then I may have found a solution for Ramsay’s financial problems.”
“I know what you’re thinking,” Lady Aurora said softly.
“You usually do,” Vance said. “And . . . ?”
“It’s a good idea,” she said decisively.
Wondering what the Vances had wordlessly decided, Broc concentrated on a different question. “How many people would be coming to Thorsay? TheFreyaisn’t very large.”
“If everyone can make it, there would be ten with the wives, who would certainly want to come. I certainly mean to!” Lady Aurora said thoughtfully. “Gabriel, do you think Kendra and Lucas would want to come also? He wasn’t in that cellar, but she has fond memories of her summers in Thorsay.”
“Is that Kendra Douglas?” Broc asked, surprised. “I knew her. She’s a cousin to Kai Ramsay. A grand girl. I know he and Signy would love to see her if she can come. But how are you proposing we should make the journey? Are you thinking of hiring a larger ship?”
“I have a ship,” Vance said, a glint in his eyes. “And I know how to sail it.”
Chapter 29
Ramsay woke up the next morning as the rays of the rising sun lit up the room. He was lying on his side with Signy tucked against him, his arm around her waist, her glorious hair falling over her shoulder. Not wanting to wake her, he dropped a featherlight kiss on her temple.
Her eyes remained closed, but she murmured, “Good morning, husband.”
“Good morning, wife.” He released his breath in a sigh of complete contentment. “I’ve never been happier in my life. We should have married sooner.”
“No, this was the right time.” She rolled onto her back and looked up at him through sleepy golden hazel eyes. “I assume you’ve overcome your doubts about sleeping in your grandfather’s rooms?”
He chuckled. “That was also a question of the right time, which this is.” He hesitated, then said, “We haven’t discussed possible children. Does that concern you because of Gisela?”
“I’ve thought of it, of course,” Signy said seriously. “But I’m stronger and healthier than she was, and rather than concealing my pregnancy, I would make sure that the best midwife in Thorsay was looking after me.” She gave him a slow smile. “I want to have children with you. And if we have a daughter, we must name her Gisela.”
“Of course, my beautifully sane wife,” he said, awed at how she’d simplified their complicated past. “Which reminds me . . .”
He swung from the bed and retrieved his black velvet robe from the floor, where he’d dropped it the night before. The subtle gold embroidery over the shoulders glinted in the sun. He felt in the right pocket and pulled out something else that glinted gold in the sun. Then he perched on the side of the bed and showed her the golden ring that was engraved with twining Norse patterns. “This belonged to my mother,” he said quietly. “I meant to give it to you last night if you accepted me, but I became. . . distracted.”
She laughed. “We both did!” She took the ring from his palm. “This is lovely. Was it her wedding ring?”
