Page 42 of A Bonny Pretender
“We can’t find the lad, though. He must have run off,” said the constable. He rubbed his balding head and looked at his notes. “You haven’t seen him?”
“What will happen to him?” asked Lady Brecken, giving Brigid a sideways glance. “He was so young.”
“Penal servitude in Botany Bay, I’d imagine.” The man shrugged. “If he were older, he might be hanged. His size and age should save him from that.”
“We’ll send word if we find him,” Frank said, catching the panic in Brigid’s blue eyes. “Thank you for coming so quickly this morning. You have all my information. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to send word.”
“Yes, my lord. It’s a good day when we get these criminals off the roads.”
The squire and constable left, and breakfast was served in the private dining room once again. This time the maid and valet did not join them, eating earlier in the kitchen. Frank slurped his coffee, watching Brigid slather butter and honey on her biscuit. She took a bite, honey dripping from her mouth. The pink tip of her tongue darted out to catch a drop of the sugary liquid. His crotch swelled, and he focused on the eggs and toast on his plate. Gretna Green might be a consideration. Hell and damnation, he was a man, not a monk.
“Lord Raines?”
Brigid’s voice interrupted his thoughts. His head jerked up. “I beg your pardon. What?”
“Thank ye for not handing over Boy-O.”
“I think you’re right. He was a victim as well, and I can’t justify transporting a five-year-old to Botany Bay.”
Lady Brecken smiled. “You’re a decent man, Lord Raines. I’m proud to have you as a…” She paused, then finished, “Friend.”
Brother. The slip reminded him there were still secrets he held from Brigid. He’d have to remedy that before they married. Would she care about his parentage? Frank doubted it. In Scotland, bastards could inherit titles. Their laws didn’t always coincide with English laws. Another thought struck him.
“Miss MacNaughton, the constable mentioned the highwayman had been shot in the thigh. That’s quite an impressive shot for a man, let alone a woman.” Embarrassing, really. He’d missed completely, and she’d hit a bull’s eye in the man’s leg.
“A fluke, Lord Raines. Luck tends to ride on my shoulder.” She gave him a sunny smile. “I’m sure yer miss was a fluke as well.”
That soothed his pride a bit. “Yes, well…”
“I’ve an itch to scratch with ye, my lord,” Brigid said, her eyes narrowed. “I would appreciate no’ being calledchurlishagain.”
“Or apoor chit,” added Evie. “Though you did save me from that outburst. It might have been worse had they known my husband was an earl and you were a viscount.”
He nodded. “Much better that I was hired help for a nobleman.”
“Weel, ye sounded verra convincing. However, I’d like to put on record that I’m no’ a hellcat, nor do I complain incessantly.”
“Of course not! Um, did you both sleep well?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Aye, like a baby.” Brigid winked at him.
Heat drifted up his neck. “Good, good.”
His eye caught Lady Brecken, who observed them with a smirk. “What shall we do with our new charge?” she asked, mercifully changing the subject.
“He can’t stay here as I’d planned,” said Frank. “Someone might recognize him.”
“We’ll take him with us to the mill,” Brigid said around a mouthful of biscuit. “One of our clan will take him in. He can do small jobs and learn his letters and numbers.”
“Your clan will simply take in a… a stray?” Frank was shocked. He’d thought to find an orphanage. “There are institutions for such children.”
“Where they grow up with no one who cares about them. Fate sent him to us, so we will oblige.” Brigid reached over and patted his hand. “Ye’ll get used to our ways.”
