Page 34 of Deception and Desire
“Your recovery took longer than expected. Each time Sorcha went to check on you, she mumbled something in Gaelic under her breath.”
“Not the first time,” he said, taking another bite, “and I doubt the last. I have a way with people, ye ken.”
“There were a few items I’d like to discuss with you and Ian before he leaves,” Miss Franklin said, ignoring his last statement.
“Then it’s good I’ve stopped by,” said the other brother from the door. “And if there’s a piece of that left, I’d be happy to relieve you of it.”
Ian took a seat next to him, and they both turned to their new employee. Her confidence seemed to wane.
“I’m sorry, but it feels strange to sit behind the desk as if I’m the owner and you are the employees. Would one of you care to switch?”
Lachlan gave his brother a sideways glance. They both shook their heads. “As a good Scot, though, I’ll compromise.” He picked up his chair and placed it on her side of the desk so he could face both her and his brother. “Now no one’s at the head, so to speak, and we can all feel at home.”
“In true Highland diplomacy, from the chaos comes order,” added Ian with a chuckle. “Proceed, Miss Franklin.”
“Please, if I’m to use your given names, it is only fair you should call me Fenella. You are my employer.”
“It would be my pleasure, Fenella,” said Lachlan. He liked how the name rolled off his tongue. “Now, what’s the problem?”
She studied her lap and smoothed her dove-gray skirt. The pink ribbon high on her waist matched the rosiness of her cheeks. “I have been studying your past expenditures, and there is one in particular that has me confused.”
Lachlan leaned back in his chair. “We’re listening.”
“It’s a case of lying ledgers, I’m afraid.” Fenella explained her findings and the conversation with Colin. Her demeanor was straightforward and business-like and her tone apologetic rather than smug or condescending. “I believe Mr. Pelling got away with seven hundred pounds over the entire length of his employment.Andhis generous wage.”
“How did I no’ see it? I trusted the bloody rat. He said they were on retainer, did all the repairs, and provided parts.” Ian swiped his face and blew out a long breath. “I assumed Colin took over the repairs after Pelling and the supervisor left. He talked about saving us money by doing it himself. So of course, the ceased entries didna concern me.”
Lachlan let out a whistle. “Wonder where he took off to with our money?”
“It doesna matter at this point. Ye canna try to find him when ye’re running the mill. I still plan on going home.” His eyes narrowed. “We need to find out if McPherson was in on this. If he is, I’ll make sure the whole of Glasgow kens it.”
Lachlan crossed his arms and then his ankles as he leaned back against the chair, the wood creaking under his weight. “Colin and I will have a friendly talk with McPherson and his manager. We’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“That’s the problem with doing business in the Lowlands when ye’re from the Highlands. We’re no’ one of them. This would never happen in Dunderave.” Ian scowled.
“There’s black-hearted, greedy men in every country and every county. Ross Craigg wouldna think twice about putting a knife in my back if he thought he could get away with it.” The thought of that pile of cow dung cooled his ardor as he watched Miss Franklin’s lovely brow crease.
“What do you mean by ‘not one of them’? Aren’t you all Scots?”
Lachlan looked at Ian and they snorted in unison. He patted her arm. “Bless yer wee heart, lass. But all Scots are no’ created equal, ye ken. We held a long tradition of raiding the Lowland cattle and sheep. Of course, theytriedto repay us in kind.”
“You mean feuds?”
Ian shook his head. “Och, no. Raiding isna the same as feuding. That usually comes from personal offense. Raiding was tradition, ye ken.”
At her confused look, Lachlan explained, “We’ve a long and complicated history. Maybe yer grandmother could answer yer questions better.”
“Back to the original subject.” Ian stood, ready to take his leave. “I thank ye, Miss—Fenella, for yer efforts here when it provided no benefit to yerself. I’m grateful ye found yer way to MacNaughton Textile.”
Fenella cleared her throat. “There’s something else. I have found I do not need to be here every day to maintain the same duties as Mr. Pelling. Two to three days is enough time to take care of the books. There is no need to pay me for six days a week when I can do the work in half the time.”
Anger simmered in Lachlan’s belly again, but his admiration for this woman eased his temper. She’d found theft in their accounts, then declined the full salary that had been promised her. Many females might have gloated over the men who had missed such trickery. Colin was a good judge of character if he’d recognized this pearl of a woman. And accountant.
“I hope the feckin’ pilferer found a hole deep enough to hide in. When I find him—”
“There’s a lady present, Brother. Besides, I doubt he’s in Scotland. Probably booked passage for America or Canada.” Ian growled low. “Grandda will be furious when he learns of this.”
Lachlan grinned. “I dinna envy ye that task, brother.”
