“And MacDonald is supervising Henderson Shipping until then?” Kingsley asked.
“Aye.” She grew quiet. Once Robert returned, Niall would be leaving. She would be rid of the thorn in her side. Only…it hadn’t felt quite so much like a thorn lately.
“Perhaps I should pay a visit to the office,” Mr. Haines said. “Just to check on the status of the barley and woolens I ship through the line and make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“I could accompany you to answer any questions MacDonald might have,” Kingsley added.
Mr. Haines frowned. “I doubt that will be necessary. All you have to do is make sure the correct numbers are sent to the docks.”
“As you wish.” A muscle ticked ever so slightly in Kingsley’s jaw.
Annie saw the small movement and a wave of appreciation swept over her. How kind both Mr. Haines and Mr. Kingsley were to be concerned for Niall. She was more convinced than ever that she had done the right thing in accepting this job.
****
TheSea Ladywas just docking when Niall made it down to the pier. He was surprised to see his older brother Aidan standing on the deck.
“What brings ye down to Glasgow?” he asked as soon as Aidan had descended the gang plank.
“We’ve found a number of good, rich kelp beds on Skye,” Aidan replied. “Robert thinks it would be wise to open a small office there to make sure the shipments get loaded properly. He sent me to learn how to set up the books so they correspond to the ones in Glasgow.” Aidan hoisted his duffel bag. “Are ye staying at the Widow Ferguson’s boardinghouse?”
“I am, but she has a full house,” Niall answered.
“Well, I will bunk with ye tonight. I can find another place tomorrow.”
“One night,” Niall replied, “and ye will have to sleep on the floor.”
His brother grinned. “I suspected that.”
Niall nodded. “Tomorrow I can show ye the books.”
Aidan lifted a brow. “Numbers were never your strong suit, brother. I had best take instruction from the bookkeeper.”
“And I would be more than glad to let ye do that,” Niall replied, taking no offense. “But Mr. Graham is recovering from consumption and his nephew who was in charge has taken off.”
“Robert dinnae mention that.”
“’Tis because he doesnae ken it.” Niall shrugged. “I saw nae reason to make him fash.” Aidan looked doubtful, but then he’d always been the most levelheaded of any of them. “Besides, the harbormaster is there as well.”
Aidan nodded. “We will make do.”
“Aye,” Niall replied. “So where is the office going to be? The small port at Armadale?”
Aidan shook his head. “Off Loch Bracadale.”
Niall felt his eyes widen. “That far north? ’Tis MacLeod country.”
“That may be, but the sea belongs to no one,” Aidan answered.
“True, but the MacLeod own the shore.” Niall frowned. “Robert is American. He doesnae understand how far back the clan wars go.”
“The one on Skye was finished over two hundred years ago,” Aidan said.
Niall lifted a brow. “Are they ever really over, brother? Land is important to Scots—”
“Doona forget that Robert married a MacLeod and so did Alasdair.”
“But nae the branch of Tormod.”
