Every eye focused on the closed door.

Simon raked a hand through his hair, wondering what he should do now. He didn’t trust the Sassenach, or any man. Not around Miss Kat.

Donald pursed his lips. “Is it just me, or is Miss Kat actin’ a wee bit strange?”

Neal nodded. “I was thinkin’ the same, I was.”

“And I,” Hamish agreed.

The others murmured an agreement.

Simon cocked a brow at Donald. “I think she’s actin’ mighty strange. And it all has to do wid that St. John fellow.”

“It canno’ be another,” Donald said.

“Have ye spoken to him?” Neal asked.

Donald shook his head. “Nay, but Annie has, though what good that does, I canno’ tell ye. She said he was a bonny Sassenach. Went on about his blue eyes till I was near to castin’ up me lunch.”

“Sassenach.” Simon spat the word.

The others nodded glumly.

Silence filled the workroom. It was one thing for Miss Kat to have a beau. God knew she was a taking lass and needed a strong hand. But for it to be a Sassenach; that was another matter all together. He’d bear watching all the more closely.

Simon flexed his shoulders. “I’ll say this: if anythin’ untoward seems to be happenin’, then we’ll take a look at this man. Perhaps we’ll invite him to a meetin’.”

Donald brightened. “That’s a right good idea. But…what if we do no’ like him?”

Neal rubbed his nose. “Then we’ll make certain Miss Kat knows aboot it. What she does then, well…that’s up t’ her.”

The others nodded, muttering agreement.

Feeling better by the minute, Simon stood, smacking his fist in his hand. “Good then. When the time comes, I’ll see if we can convince His Lordliness to join us fer a brief spate o’ conversation.”

“But—” Hamish’s blond brows were drawn low. “What if he won’t come to see us? He is a man of wealth and position, and we are just apprentices.”

Simon considered this for a moment. Then he shook his head. “Don’t ye fash that he might refuse; I can be mighty persuasive. ’Deed I can.”

A slow grin traveled about the room. Neal picked up the hammer he’d lain down when Kat had entered the room. “’Tis done then. If things seem to be gettin’ out of hand, Simon will collect the Sassenach and we’ll test him fer Miss Kat, whether he wants to or not.”

Devon wasn’t quite sure what his expectations for the ride were…and later he’d tell himself that perhaps it was better he didn’t have any except to escape Murien’s cloying presence. Yet the day turned into one of surprises, most of which involved Kat.