Chapters (76)
- Cover
- About the Author
- Also by Karen Brooks
- Title Page
- Dedication
- EXPLANATORY NOTE
- PART ONE
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- PART TWO
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- PART THREE
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- PART FOUR
- Fifty-Three
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Epilogue: Autumn 1706
- AUTHOR’S NOTE
- GLOSSARY
- LIST OF CHARACTERS
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Nettie and Sorcha looked at each other and burst out laughing.
‘What?’ asked Captain Ross. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘I see what you’re about, captain,’ Nettie said through her chuckles. ‘But that would raise more suspicion than it would subdue rumours.’
‘We always work together,’ explained Sorcha. ‘Nettie’s right. If we ceased to do that, then talk would fly.’
‘Like a witch,’ said Nettie, her eyes sparking with mischief.
‘So,’ said Sorcha with a shrug, ‘we’ve no choice but to place our faith in Edinburgh. And in you.’ Their eyes met. Sorcha forgot to breathe.
She lifted her glass in a toast before realising it was empty. Glad to be given something to do so she didn’t have to look at the captain again, she stood and poured.
Captain Ross held his quaich steady until the others were filled. ‘Here’s to the authorities in the city,’ he said.
‘May they see justice done,’ said Sorcha and they knocked cups and drank.
‘I’d best be going.’ Captain Ross put down his quaich. ‘I want this missive away by first light. The sooner we contact Edinburgh about Mrs Laing, the sooner something can be done to prevent what promises to be a travesty.’
Sorcha followed him to the door. As he stepped outside, she grabbed his arm. ‘I cannot thank you enough, Captain Ross. There’s not many in your position would do what you have.’
‘What’s that?’ he asked.
‘Get involved.’
He smiled. Not for the first time, she wondered what he was thinking behind those dark eyes. ‘Don’t thank me yet, Mrs McIntyre. Let’s see what comes of this.’ He placed his hand over hers. ‘You should be prepared lest nothing happens. The authorities in the city may decide to leave Mrs Laing to the Weem council; especially after what happened in Paisley. As you correctly pointed out, the outcome there did the reputation of the city magistrates no favours.’
Sorcha looked grave. ‘I know that whatever we try may make no difference. But at least we will have tried. What they decide to do once they’ve been alerted is on their conscience.’
They stared at each other for a long moment. Above the captain’s head, clouds scudded across the sky; a flock of gulls floated in the thermals, dark against the sun’s glow. The wind whipped his black hair about his face, across his mouth. She looked at his lips, aware he was staring at hers.
‘Come away in or shut the door, will you?’ called Nettie. ‘The fire’s guttering.’
They broke away from each other, their momentary closeness interrupted. With an apologetic smile and curtsey, Sorcha stepped inside. Captain Ross placed his hat on his head and, with a small salute, strode down the road.
Sorcha closed the door and leaned against it, her hands clasped behind her. She grinned.