“No. Clovenfords doesn’t have a recruitment agency, and the one in Melrose recommended a list of unsuitable nannies. They were either too old to keep up with Sammy or too inexperienced for his needs.”

Elise deflated like a pricked balloon. “Have you tried Galashiels or Selkirk’s?”

“I’ve called, but they close before I leave base.” His color heightened.

Elise had never seen him flush like that. Was he embarrassed? That would be a first. Harry had always proven hard to read, putting her poker face to shame with his superior skills.

“I’ve scheduled an appointment in Selkirk the first day my rotation changes.”

“When will that be?”

“Not for another two weeks.” He glanced away. “I’m dreadfully sorry.”

Her heart stuttered. Two more weeks? That would only give her three weeks after Sammy left to shave down her times.

She set her jaw. Her father’s staff would simply have to deal with the boy. She refused to go off task another time when Sammy slipped his lead. She had saved the lad. That proved she had endurance. If she focused hard enough, she could beat those tests. Perhaps, she could prove the doctor wrong about the other issue as well.

Chapter 16

The tea kettle whistled, and Anders Gilmont turned off the hob and poured steaming water into his cup, a floral affair with a chip on the rim. He refused to microwave his water or drink his tea out of anything but china. He still had some standards.

Dropping a bag of Earl Gray into the piping-hot liquid, he added a few drops of cream and one sugar before taking his place at the table across from Danny. The boy had been gone for several days and had returned in the early hours. Like clockwork, Danny was up at his regular time, despite his lack of sleep.

“Any luck reaching our man in Glenkinnon?” Gilmont stirred the tea, his movements short and jerky.

He’d had a lousy night after he’d let Danny in. Images of his children’s faces had haunted his dreams—their expressions filled with disgust when their mother revealed the main source of their income. If those agents hadn’t arrested him, his family would still be intact, oblivious to his business ventures.

His fingers stirred faster, sloshing the tea over the side, spilling onto the saucer.

“Getting anxious, professor?” Danny tossed him a napkin and scooted back from the table. He laced his fingers behind his neck, elbows out, the picture of ease. “I found out why our man’s gone silent. The flooding down south has closed one of the military bases, and a large contingency of soldiers are headed for temporary quarters at Glenkinnon.”

Gilmont swore, then slammed his spoon onto the tabletop.

“I agree it’s a bit of a snag but still doable. I gave our boy a bit of incentive,” Danny said, his voice mellow.