Page 147 of The Dawn

I asked, “Lady Mairead, Yer Highness, are ye still there?”

“Aye.”

Blakely said, “Oh, I thought...” Her voice trailed off.

I opened up the first letter and held it in front of the camera.

She said, “Does it say anything else?”

“Nae, just that?—”

“What year does it say?”

I read out the year and watched her head bow over a book as she took notes with a verra fine pen.

“…and what was the month?”

I read the part about the drovers. She wrote a bit, then said out loud, not speaking tae us, “Shew me the month of the drovers in Crieff in the year 1683.”

Her attention was away from the screen.

Blakely and I glanced at each other.

Lady Mairead said, “October 9, 1683.” She wrote some more.

Then she said, “Shew me the other.”

I unfolded it and held it up for her.

She peered at the screen and began writing again. She wrote for longer. Then she put down the pen. “Thank ye verra much.”

I folded the papers up and placed them back in the book.

She said, “I would like tae pay ye for the trouble.”

Blakely said, “Oh, that’s not necessary, we already?—”

“Hae ye been given a title?”

I said, “Nae, I daena — this is no’ expected.”

“I think ye ought tae be the new Earl of Breadalbane… the title is dormant. I will begin on it in the morning, in the meantime I will set up a new account for ye tae run yer lands and the castle.”

Blakely said, “Oh, I didn’t realize... we get money for our living expenses, but?—”

“As if ye are glorified caretakers? Nae, that is not acceptable. Ye are the laird and lady of the castle, a direct descendant of Sean. The castle is yers. Ye will need a title as well. Write this down.”

Blakely rushed tae grab a pen and a scrap paper. She looked frantic and when she sat down she brushed hair from her face.

Lady Mairead continued, “Ye will hae an account at C. Hoare & Co. Contact the Honorable Theodore Russell, esquire, he will help ye access the funds.” She paused as if she were choosing her words carefully, “All I ask in return is that ye contact me just as ye did today, tae tell me what ye find in the books, or in the back of paintings, or perhaps carved intae the walls or under the furniture.”

I said, “Ye want us t’look over all the furniture?”

“Under all the furniture, aye, just tae be certain. And look withinallthe books. Let me ken what ye find.”

I nodded. “Alright, I will.”

Lady Mairead narrowed her eyes. “Also, ye will be looking for vessels…”

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