Page 63 of A Scandal at Stonecliffe

Nathan reflected that he had grown cynical enough the past few weeks that he was sure the sweet old lady was lying.

“I’m sorry I cannae help you,” Mrs. McCready went on. “Janet can see you to your rooms. Janet!” She raised her voice.

“Yes, missus, I’m here.” A middle-aged woman moved out of the shadows of the staircase. In contrast to her employer, she was a dour-looking woman with iron gray hair wrapped up in a tight knot at the crown of her head. She nodded at Nathan. “This way, sir, miss.”

Janet clomped up the stairs, leaving them little choice but to follow her. She moved down the hallway and opened a door. “Here ye are, miss. Ye have a view of the loch.” She waved toward the windows along the opposite wall.

“Thank you.” Verity drew a breath, and Nathan knew she was going to question the maid about the Douglases.

But before Verity could speak, Janet said, “I remember them.”

“The Douglases?”

“I dinnae remember their names. But I was here when they came—like ye said, two high-and-mighty ladies from Edinburgh and Dr. MacPherson. They brought their maid, as well, and they didnae like the food. The bread was too coarse, the mother said, and the haggis too dry. I remember ’cause I was an undermaid working in the kitchen, and Mrs. Fleming, the housekeeper, was in a snit about it.”

“Well, I suppose since the mother was carrying a child, her taste might have—”

The maid let out a snort. “Carrying? Not her. It was the lass that had the babe. Poor lass—she was quiet. A weepy little thing. ’Course, who wouldn’t be? Her mam was stiff as a poker and never had a smile to offer. Weel, it was a bastard, poor wee babe, so her mam was angry at her. That’s the way it is, isn’t it, the lass always gets blamed, and the man’s off enjoying himself.”

“Yes, unfortunately, that’s often the way it is,” Verity said sympathetically. “Did the daughter ever say anything about the baby’s father?”

“Nae. They didnae talk to the likes of us, ye ken.” She paused, tilting her head a bit. “Though—now that I think about it, there was that once the lass stood up to her, and I ken it was about a man.”

“Do you remember what they said?” Verity asked.

Janet shook her head but continued to look thoughtful. “It was—the mam said—” She shot a quick glance at Nathan, then went on, “Sassenach.”

“An Englishman?” Verity could not fully suppress the excitement in her voice. “They were arguing about an Englishman?”

The other woman nodded slowly. “I think so. I cannae be sure—I just remember because it surprised us all.” She shrugged. “I’m sorry. That’s all I know.” She gave Nathan a little bob of a curtsey. “Now, sir, your room is up the stairs.”

“Yes, of course.” Nathan pulled out a gold coin and pressed it into her hand. “Thank you. You’ve been a great help.”

Janet smiled broadly and quickly pocketed the coin. “Thank ye, sir.”

“One other thing...” Nathan said. “You didn’t remember the two women, but you knew the doctor’s name. Was he local?”

Janet’s eyebrows went up. “Oh, nae, sir, he was from Inverness. I knew him because he’s the missus’s brother.”

“Mrs. McCready’s brother?” Nathan’s eyebrows shot up.

“Aye. The missus’s name was MacPherson before she married Donald McCready.”

Verity gave Janet a thin-lipped smile and said, “While you show Mr. Dunbridge to his chamber, I believe I’ll give Mrs. McCready another visit.”

“Oh, nae, miss.” Janet’s eyes opened in alarm. “Dinnae tell her—”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell her you told us,” Verity assured her.

“I’ll go with you,” Nathan said quickly.

“No, dear.” Verity patted his arm. “This is something I’ll do better without you.”

Nathan sighed as he watched Verity trot down the stairs.

“Oh, sir...the missus is bound to know.” Janet turned her worried gaze on him.

“Don’t worry, she’ll make up an entirely different story,” Nathan told Janet. “She’s quite good at that.”