Page 27 of Highlander’s Sloth

The Lodge and the Manor

For the clan left behind in Macanroy Lodge, things did not immediately change after Kirsty and Callum departed for Northumberland. The maids continued to be diligent in their duties, and the footmen and grooms answered bells when they were rung and cleaned out the stables. It was clear to Dunn as he walked around the estate that wee Kirsty had put the fear of dismissal into every Macanroy servant, and all the staff were determined to keep their positions.

Dunn had to smile when he remembered how Kirsty had gone about changing things. Half bullying, half cajoling; who would have thought such a young lass would have it in her to change things so drastically?

It was sad that for all her good housekeeping and skills in the kitchen, Kirsty had not been able to change the poor laird’s bad health. He still lay in bed, his breathing stertorous and his limbs growing feebler as time passed. Even Lady Elspeth had bestirred herself to check in on her husband over a dozen times a day—going to sit with him to hold his hand, reading to him from the latest book, or summoning one of the pageboys to come and fan him with a long-handled feather fan. Sometimes Dunn would go to check in on them and find the husband and wife lying side by side on the bed and sleeping peacefully together. It was an affecting sight and made Dunn hope for such devotion to be the end result for his best friend’s marriage as well.

He would have to be blind not to see the marriage had had its fair share of ups and downs since the wedding. Callum had been convinced he would not have to change his indolent Parisian ways, and Kirsty was not the kind of woman to accept a lazy husband. But these thoughts were not those uppermost in Dunn’s mind this morning. He was at a loss to know where the young couple was. In Kirsty’s absence, there was a distinct lack of bustle and drive inside the lodge.

After several futile attempts, he was able to discover that Brock and one of the grooms were also missing, and his friend had now been gone for nearly three weeks. When he questioned Lady Elspeth or Laird Macanroy about it, they had languidly replied that the young people might have traveled to Edinburgh for some shopping; after all, the merchants and dressmakers were far superior there, not so?

Dunn did not have the authority to question anyone further and had to bide his time to wait for news.

It was even now arriving at the lodge gates.

One of the new sentries approached Dunn. “Sir, there’s a Sassenach messenger arrived at the gate with a letter for his lairdship.”

Dunn held his hand out for the letter and ran into the west wing where Laird Macanroy had his rooms.

As luck would have it, both Laird and Lady Macanroy were awake.

“A letter from England has arrived for ye, M’Laird.” Dunn held it out toward Lachlan.

The old man waved his hand. “It’s probably another whisky order. Take it to the steward or to Cal.”

“Your son is still missing. He’s away from home, M’Laird.”

Lachlan looked confused for a moment. What with his ill health, every day seemed to blend into one another like some dreary eon.

He opened the letter.

“Hoots! Nay!”

It was the loudest sound Laird Macanroy had ever made. He dropped the letter onto the bed, and Lady Elspeth picked it up with trembling fingers and held it out to Dunn, saying, “I cannae read it. Me eyes are nae what they used to be! Tell me what is written there!”

Dunn read out the letter.

Lloyd House

Kielder Forest

Northumberland

My very dear Laird Macanroy,

Your dear son and his wife have decided to take advantage of my hospitality until such time as you have delivered into my hands the receipt for your most delicious whisky and the method by which it can be made.

I trust to your better wisdom that you will carry out these instructions to the letter. If my messenger does not return to me within one sennight with these requested items, I have no choice but to make your son’s stay here at Lloyd House a permanent one.

I have an ally in the Lowlands, one Laird Duncombe. If I do not hear from you at the correct time and with the correct information, I will request he attend to fulfilling my request with full force. We have long believed the Macanroy clan to be exceeding selfish with their whisky secrets, and we have a strong desire to travel to the New World with the key to making it.

Callum and his pretty young wife are reluctant guests, Laird Macanroy. I trust in your good sense that you acquiesce to my demand. You would not want Laird Duncombe’s troops surrounding your estate to demand the receipt from you in person – he can be the most ruthless foe.

Yours, etc.

Baron Fotheringham Lloyd

Dunn swore a bloody oath and then went to assist Lady Elspeth, who seemed to be swooning. When he had settled Callum’s two elderly parents, he ran to fetch the steward. By the time he returned with the man, Laird and Lady Macanroy were somewhat recovered and ready to talk.