“First I have something to discuss with you, Archibald. ”
“But it's not safe. The bailie… “
She meticulously folded her woolen wrapper. “Oh, I know about you and the bailie. ”
“His is a dishonorable household,” Archie said fervendy. “You both must hurry back to your uncle's. The lads are safe with me. ”
He gave Fiona a tender look, and for Marjorie, that mawkish expression was the last straw.
“I've seen what safe means for you,” she said brusquely. She'd grown tired of roundabout men who told her what to do, with no explanation for it. She'd state the situation plainly, if nobody else would. “I saw you receive money, when I was at the bailie's home. Is taking money in exchange for children what you'd call safe?” Archie's eyes flew to her. “Losh, no, Marj! I'd never do such a thing. ”
“Then how do you explain the fact that I saw you skulking about the bailie's back rooms, taking payment from his manservant, not long after Davie's disappearance?”
He sputtered for words, and just when Marjorie thought she'd trapped him, he surprised her with an entirely different excuse. “The money… that wasn't from the bailie. It was payment from his wife. I made Adele a tonic.
Against pregnancy. ”
His gaze swept to Fiona, as though the maid's recognition of his innocence were paramount. “I've long suspected the bailie of nefarious doings,” he insisted. “Their lifestyle exceeds what would be expected of an officer of Aberdeen. I slowly ingratiated myself to him, watching and waiting all the while. ” He pulled his shoulders back.
“When Davie was taken, the time had come to act, and act boldly. ” Fiona puffed with pride.
“You had suspicions, too?” Marjorie sat forward on her chair. “But why didn't you simply tell me?”
“I tried. That day at Humphrey's. But your Cormac was—”
“Once and for all,” Marjorie snapped, “he's not my Cormac. ”
Archie's eyes widened. “Be that as it may, Cormac struck me as… how shall I put it… arrogant about the matter. I assumed you were safe in his care. ”
“I'm in no man's care. ”
Fiona grunted as though she knew better, sharing a little eye roll with Archie.
Marjorie popped up from the chair. She had to turn her back from the sight of them cutting doe eyes at each other. “So how do we stop the bailie?”
“I must stay here all night,” Archie said with great bravado. “I've heard the Oliphant leaves at dawn. I'll guard the boys until then. ”
Though Marjorie knew his gesture was brave and true, his earnestness nettled her. Cormac flashed into her mind, and she scowled. She'd seen bravery, and it didn't sit perched on a leather armchair, behind a locked door, bearing a snifter of brandy.
“I'll stay with you. ” Fiona couldn't say the words quickly enough.
“Then you and I shall keep watch,” he said grandly.
Marjorie looked from Archie to Fiona. The attraction was plain between them, but she wondered about their difference in class. Though Archie didn't come from great wealth, he was studying to be a physician, and some would find his choice of a maid shocking. If they were discreet, Marjorie supposed Fiona's looks were enough to elevate her above her station. Indeed, her maid was ripe and lovely, and clearly there was something about her that made Archie feel like the man he struggled to be.
Marjorie looked down at her feet. She recognized love when she saw it. It made her feel empty and alone.
“Will you be safe?” Fiona asked her.
“I'll rush back to Humphrey's straightaway. I'll lock myself in as I'd promised and wait for Cormac. ” Marjorie managed a smile. “You've the right of it, Arch. Cormac will help me. ” The lies spilled easily enough from her mouth. She knew what she had to do, and it wasn't cowering in her bedroom. She may not have the skills to sink the Oliphant. But there were men imprisoned on board, men who'd set sail at dawn, to spend the rest of their days toiling on a plantation far from home. She'd get on that boat, somehow. She'd free them.
Humphrey's house was pitch-black when Cormac returned. He took the back stairs two at a time — he couldn't see her soon enough.
It'd been wrong not to tell her the truth. He'd tell her about Aidan. He vowed it was the last secret he'd ever keep from her.
Together they'd find a solution. Together they'd convince Aidan, and then Cormac would save the men. There was no other way; he saw that now. They belonged as a pair. Everything felt wrong when they were apart.
He burst through her door, but the bedroom was empty. Baffled, he ran his hands over the sheets as though he might somehow find her hiding there.