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“We should leave tomorrow,” Des added. “In case there’s been another change.”
Albie nodded. “Agreed.”
Robert came back inside. “Gate was wide open.”
“Those low belly snakes!” Albie said. “Any cattle get out?”
Robert shook his head. “No. Not that I could see. None of them were near the gates at all.”
Albie gave him a pat on the arm in thanks. “We’re going to leave tomorrow, take the cattle down the mountain.”
Robert gave a hard nod. “I’ll get us ready.” And he was out the door again.
Des watched Albie for a long moment. “Keep your head down, Albie. You’re doin’ fine.”
He followed Robert out, leaving Percy and Albie alone in the house.
“Are you all right?” Percy asked. He certainly didn’t look it.
“My father tolerated McAllister for the same reason everyone else does. Because he has the power to ruin people, and McAllister knows it.”
“It’s a game the likes of him play,” Percy offered. “It helps to know the rules, but you don’t need to play his game.”
“I can’t be bought,” he muttered. “And five thousand pounds.”
It was a lot of money.
“It’s insulting,” Albie said, glaring at the fire. “My father’s name is worth more than that.”
Percy couldn’t help it. He went to him and put his hand on his shoulder and gave him a squeeze before rubbing his upper arm. “Your name is worth more than that.”
Albie’s gaze cut to his, his eyes melting into him. And they were too close, too alone, and Albie was far too...
Too tempting.
Percy swallowed hard and took a step back, and Albie shook his head as if he’d been caught in a trance.
“Damper,” Percy said, his face burning. “Bread. Dinner. Did you still need me?”
Albie only seemed to remember... “Yes, right.”
His cheeks were flushed pink too and Percy wished he hadn’t noticed.
What did that mean?
Surely not...
Albie lifted the lid to the pot on the stove. “I’ve added carrot and more potatoes,” he said, stirring it, staring at it, not looking at Percy. “The bowl to mix the flour is down there.”
Percy found it on the bottom shelf, and Albie nodded to the sack of flour. He set about sifting the flour with salt. He added a dash of milk and some chunks of butter and began to knead it.
“Butter and milk?” Albie said.
Percy wasn’t sure if he was horrified or offended. “Well, yes. Do you... do you not use that? Was I allowed to use the butter?”
Albie blinked and shrugged. “Well, yes. I mean, sure. I’ve just never...”
Percy laughed, kneading the dough with the heel of his hand, the same way he’d seen his mother and their staff do it a thousand times. “So all the damper you’ve made is just flour, salt, and water?”
