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“One can always hope,” he said. With a deep sigh, Nash resigned himself to living without bacon, perhaps for the rest of his life, unless he could persuade Ailie to come to London. Could he ever live in Scotland? An intriguing thought.

For dessert they had fresh pineapple from Emily’s orangery, which Nash considered a great treat. He was just in the middle of taking a bite when William began to speak.

“Tomorrow, depending on the weather,” he said, “I thought to offer those who are interested a chance to hunt.”

Nash looked up expectantly “Geese again? I missed my chance the last time.”

“No. This time, we’ll be going to moors to hunt the red deer hinds. The herds are culled each year at this time to keep them and the land healthy.”

Kit’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean by culled?”

“Without natural predators, the herds grow too large for the vegetation they have to survive upon,” replied William. “The last wild wolf was killed three-quarters of a century ago. We will be looking for the stragglers, the weaker ones. Still, with the weather as it is, the short hours of daylight and the canny deer, we’ll have a challenge on our hands.”

“If we’re successful, we can look forward to a fine saddle of venison. I must warn you, it means another departure before daybreak and we’ll be gone until late afternoon.”

Despite William’s admonitions, Nick shared a glance with his wife, then eagerly spoke up. “We’re for the hunt.”

Kit gave Nick’s wife a look of surprise. “You, Tara?”

“I used to hunt the white-tailed deer and wild turkeys with my brothers,” she replied. “It would be a grand thing to be able to tell them about deer stalking in Scotland.”

“If you are going,” said Ailie, “so will I, but just be aware deer stalking involves much wandering and waiting. ’Tis not so exciting as shooting at hundreds of geese taking flight.”

With that, Nash chimed in, “’Twill give me time to ponder. Count me in.” There was no possibility Ailie was setting off for the moors without him. A whole day with her stalking the deer even if he never got a shot would be something to remember.

Kit spoke up. “I’d like to go to sketch the hunt, if it would be permissible.”

“Aye,” said William, “no one is required to shoot. I’ll have guns and spyglasses for those who do. The ride will be long, ladies, and once on the moors, ’twill be windy and cold. Dress accordingly. I have jackets and hats more fitting to deer stalking should you have none.”

Nash detected a gleam in Ailie’s eyes, making him wonder just what she would wear.

When William’s words of caution did not dissuade the women from going, Martin said, “If my wife goes, so do I.”

Hugh conferred with his wife. “Mary and I have decided to stay here and have a late morning ride.”

William turned to Robbie. “And you?”

“I’m not much for hunting.” Nash knew the words to be false, but he was also aware of why Robbie had spoken them. Robbie glanced at the countess. “Perhaps a game of piquet with Muriel might serve.”

“I should like to see that game,” said Emily.

“Well,” said Robbie, “if I am late, you two can start without me.”

“Humph,” mumbled Muriel.

Nash believed for much of the day, the two ladies would be playing alone. Any card game involving Robbie would not take place till late afternoon.

After the women left for the parlor and their tea, Nash enjoyed a glass of port with the men. When they rejoined the ladies, Robbie invited Ailie to play a game of chess, which she accepted.

“Be warned,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes, “I am quite good at the game growing up with Father and Will and long winter nights to perfect my skill.”

Robbie smirked and set up the board. “We shall see.”

Nash talked with William about ship designs while shooting glances at his twin, who was enjoying his game with Ailie. Robbie had always been more proficient at chess than he was.

Even before the first of the chess games had concluded, the couples going on the hunt began drifting toward the parlor door, intent upon seeking their beds for the early morning.

“I’ll have the servants knock on the doors of any going on the hunt,” said William. “We’ll have a short breakfast and lots of hot coffee before we set out. Dress warmly.”

As Tara and Kit were leaving, Ailie rose from her game with Robbie and asked to speak with them. What the women conferred about, Nash had no idea, but after their heads nodded in agreement, Ailie went back to her game.

With no early commitment, Mary and Hugh lingered over their conversation with Muriel and Emily. Nash waited until Ailie and Robbie finished their game and then walked with them and the others up the stairs. At the head of the stairs, he wished Ailie a good night.

In his chamber, Nash found Robbie pulling out the map he had made upon his first visit to Arbroath town.

“Did you win the game?”

Without looking up, Robbie shook his head. “I let the lady win.”

“That was gracious of you. Was it also ‘circumspect’?”

“Of course.” Robbie looked up from the map. “Now, as for the morrow, I’m for town and tracking Kinloch to his hiding place. It may not be far from the tavern you visited if they go there every day.”

“Then ’tis just as well Ailie and I are both going on the hunt.”

Robbie folded up the map. “It will certainly make it easier for me to slip away for my own hunt.”

That night, Nash lay in his bed listening to rain pelting the window, wondering with the downpour if there would even be a hunt tomorrow.