Page 36 of Deception and Desire
“How was yer day, Miss Franklin?”
“Perfect.” She laughed at MacGregor’s grunt and hummed all the way home.
When she sat down with a cup of tea, her grandmother wasted no time.
“Out with it. How did it go?”
“You were right to tell me to get the facts first. It turns out McPherson’s is an occasional bill that the previous man, Mr. Pelling, used regularly to funnel money. He stole quite a sum and the MacNaughtons are furious. They’re already finding ways to keep it from happening again.” She grinned. “I think they’re almost as impressed with my sleuthing as they are of your shortbread.”
Aileen flapped a hand. “So, theywerebeing swindled? Good work, lass. I’m proud of ye.” She stood and gave Fenella a kiss on top of her head. “They’ll miss ye when ye’re gone.”
“If I go.”
Her grandmother beamed. “I like the sound of that.”
“They want to know if McPherson was privy to it.”
“Och, that mon would rather cut off his hand than cheat someone. He’ll help string the rascal up if they catch him.” She sat back down in her rocker and sipped her tea. “Any other news?”
“I’ll only be working three days a week unless I’m needed more. He was also overcharging them for his time.”
“He’d be wise to never step foot in this country again. We Scots have long memories and hold grudges for decades.”
Fenella took a deep breath and revealed the last part of her day. Thebestpart of her day. “Grandmama, Lachlan asked to drive me home the days I work to acquaint me with the district. I think it’s a good idea. Do you?” She held her breath.
“It’s an excellent idea.” She paused, her eyes narrowed. “Do I need to send MacGregor to follow ye at a respectable distance?”
I hope so, she thought. “He apologized for his previous behavior and seemed sincere. I believe we can trust him.”
Her grandmother’s brown eyes crinkled. “Good. Make sure he comes in so I can meet him. Perhaps we’ll invite him to dinner on Sunday.”
“Oh yes,” Fenella agreed, then clamped her lips tightly at her rushed agreement. Don’t be so eager,she scolded herself.
“What days will ye be gone?”
“Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for now.”
“So, tomorrow?” Aileen nodded. “If ye’re day ends at three, I expect to see ye by four. We may not be as rigid as the English here, but we still have social rules and etiquette to follow.”
“Yes, Grandmama. I’ll be home by four o’clock.” Fenella’s pulse raced like a deer in a hunt. Alone with Lachlan. Three hours a week. She sighed. That prudent voice in her head slowed the pounding of her heart. To fall in love, be betrothed, also meant to be denied the freedom to live her own life. She would again be tied to society’s expectation of how a good wife should behave. And there was Lady Franklin and her vehement denial of her own Scottish blood.
Just enjoy his company and don’t try to see into the future,she thought. Yes, that was it. Be more like Evie and live for the moment.
Chapter Ten
A Flowering Friendship
“Never heard ofhim.”Clang!Hammer against steel.Scrrrrtcth!McPherson pulled the giant metal hook across the anvil and flipped it over. The white-hot fire crackled and shot out sizzling sparks with each slam of the iron tool. “Kept yer books, eh? I only dealt with yer manager, and I’ve no’ seen him in two months.”
“Did ye ken Pelling was marking ye in our books for thirty-five pounds a month?” asked Lachlan, not wasting any time on chitchat.
“What are ye talking about, mon?” One sooty gloved hand paused mid-air. “I’ve barely stepped foot a dozen times in yer mill. I’m only called when something can’t be fixed without a new part.”
“According to our ledgers, seven hundred pounds has gone to McPherson’s Forge over the past two years.” Colin crossed his arms across his chest, his dark hair glinting blue in the glow of the furnace. “That’s quite a pile of coin.”
“Some fecking weasel usedmyname?” McPherson lowered his arm and Lachlan was glad his name wasn’t Pelling. “I’ll melt his blasted face off his skull.”
“Do ye think the manager ken what Pelling was doing? They left about the same time,” asked Colin.
