Robina had a wonderful memory for names and faces, and so, by the time Alex was ready to speak to them, she had learned the names of all their wives and children, what they did for a living, and even what they looked like.
By the time Alex came to talk to them they were all more relaxed and in a cooperative mood.
Alex sat in front of the cell and then began to question the men, not aggressively, as he had done the previous night to scare them, but in a comfortable man-to-man fashion, as though they were having a conversation.
“Have you been working for Laird Campbell for a long time?” he asked them casually. He had ordered them all ale, bread, and cheese, and they were sitting munching happily, talking between mouthfuls. The guards had reassured them that Laird Lindsay was a fair man, and they were willing to believe them, because they had been treated well so far.
“Aye, M'laird,” said Geordie Spence, one of the shepherds. “Five years.”
“Is he a good employer?” Alex asked, sipping his own ale.
Everyone looked down to the floor to avoid Alex’s eyes, but their faces said everything.
“Archie?” Robina asked gently.
Archie Smith looked up at her. “Milady,” he sighed, frowning, “I am fair torn in two. He wis a good man tae work for until noo, bit the last six months...” He shook his head. “He has changed. I dinnae recognize him.”
“Aye.” Jamie McDade spoke up. “He has no’ been the same since Milady”—he nodded to Rabina—“left him.”
“I did not leave him,” Robina answered. “He ended our betrothal, since he wanted to marry someone else.”
“Aye,” Geordie said, nodding. “Milady Lorna seems tae be a nice lady an’ a’. Very friendly.”
“I am happy for him.” Alex smiled. “Because now I have Robina. Tell me, did he order you to poach my sheep?”
The three men looked at each other, but no one said anything. It was obvious they were afraid of something.
“Nothing of what you say will ever reach Laird Campbell’s ears,” Alex assured them. “Did he threaten you in any way?”
They whispered amongst themselves for a moment, then Jamie said, “He told me he would throw us oot o’ oor hooses an’ we wid lose oor jobs if we didnae obey his orders. Believe me, M'laird, we didnae want tae dae this.”
“But why did he do it?” Alex asked. “He has plenty of sheep of his own.” He frowned at them in puzzlement.
“Because there is foot rot spreadin’ in the herd, M'laird,” Geordie informed him. “An’ he needs new stock but he is gettin’ mean noo. I dinnae think things is goin’ sae well for him.”
“Is this true?” Alex asked them doubtfully, his eyes narrowed.
“Aye, M'laird,” Archie answered. “No a word o’ a lie.”
Alex considered this for a moment. “He never used to be like this,” he said thoughtfully, frowning.
“No,” Robina confirmed, shaking her head. “I always found him rather a gentle man, in fact.” Then she looked at Geordie. “Did you say your wife Isla is a seamstress, Geordie?”
“Aye, Milady,” he replied. “Why dae ye ask?”
“Because we always have piles of mending here and my baby is going to need clothes,” Robina said, smiling. “And I am growing out of my clothes too!” She looked down at her bulge. “Would she come and work for me?”
Geordie’s weathered face lit up. “Aye, Milady!” he cried, overjoyed.
“Excellent!” Robina smiled. “And Jamie, your wife Mary is a cook?”
“Aye, Milady,” Jamie answered eagerly.
“We can always do with one more,” she stated. “She can work here. And Archie, Fiona makes beer?”
“The best, Milady!” he replied proudly. “An’ sells it.”
“Then she can make it for us. We do not have a brewery in the castle. Now Alex, I am going upstairs, since a lady in my condition needs her rest. Archie, please give Fiona my best wishes for a safe delivery. Good day, lads.”
