“Can you keep a listing of all similar entries along with the dates and amounts?”
She held up a piece of parchment paper and smiled. “Already have. I thought you might find them of interest.”
“I do. Aye. Good work. But ye’ve worked enough for the day. Go freshen up.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t fight with him to work longer.
Sticking the paper in the ledger as a placeholder, she closed the book.
“My friend and his wife should be arriving soon. I would love it if ye would join us for dinner this eve.” He was treading a thin line. She essentially was his employee. Someone he had hired to work for him. Mixing work and pleasure was never a good idea.
“Are you sure?” she asked uncertainly.
Was he?
“Aye. I believe ye and Lizzie will become fast friends.” What the hell was he saying?
“If you insist. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Ye canna intrude when ye’ve been invited, lass.”
She smiled. “I will see you at dinner then. Thank you.”
As she passed, he handed her the plate of food. “Ye dinna have to eat it now, but in case ye get hungry before dinner.”
He watched her walk out of the small room, then fixed his gaze on the ledgers. Anger welled up inside of him. If Theodore was truly the cause of his business failing, he didn’t ken what he would do. Gunn had entrusted the businesses to him whilst he was away. Believed he was trustworthy.
The more he thought on it, the more he couldn’t fathom why he would do such a thing.
But if he found out he was indeed the cause. The man better run for if Gunn got a hold of him, he’d wish he’d never crossed him.
*
Jocelyn wished shehad a different colored gown to attend dinner with Gunn and his friends. The gray was fine while she was working, but to entertain guests? It was not worthy of that.
Never mind that the style was woefully out of fashion.
She laughed out loud in her room. Listen to yourself. Entertain guests. As if they were her own.
No, Gunn was just showing kindness by inviting her to join them.
A knock sounded and Flora announced herself. “Miss? May I come in?”
“Yes, please.”
She was relieved to see the young girl. Mayhap she could help her look more presentable and worthy of dining with the laird and his friends.
Oh no. A new thought entered her mind. Was his friend a laird as well? Or something more. Oh dear. She would appear dreadfully underdressed.
“What is it, miss? Ye look as if ye’ve seen a ghost.”
“As I’m sure you know, I’m to meet the laird for dinner tonight, along with his friend and his friend’s wife.”
Flora nodded. “Aye, the earl.”
“Pardon?” She gulped.
“Aye. Malcolm Kennedy, the earl of Cassilis. He’s verra nice. His wife as well. Ye will like her.” She paused, her brows drawn down. “Are ye well, miss?”
