Free Highland Storms by Christina Courtenay Page B

patiently.
    ‘ I’ll have to read these more carefully,’ Seton said at last and folded them again.
    ‘ Certainly.’ Brice held out his hand for the papers; he wasn’t about to let them out of his sight. ‘You may peruse them at your leisure later. For now, I’d be grateful if someone could see to my horse and …’ He gestured to the rest of the convoy as it came to a halt behind him. ‘I’ll need the kellachs unloaded and the animals put in a pen or enclosure. All the goods can just be stowed in the great hall for now, I suppose, then we can sort out where it’s going later. It’s probably a task for the housekeeper, in any case.’ He glanced around, but couldn’t see her among the bystanders, which was a shame. He’d been looking forward to surprising her almost as much as he had Seton.
    The factor handed back the documents and looked as if he wanted to protest against these orders, but although he opened his mouth, no words came out. After a moment, his expression became shuttered and he bowed, wisely choosing not to dispute Brice’s authority in this instance. ‘ Fàilte then, my lord,’ he said, even though Brice was sure the last thing Seton wanted was to welcome him. ‘I shall look forward to working with you.’
    Brice noticed he said ‘with’, not ‘for’, as if they were equals, but let it go. He’d shocked the man and it wasn’t his intention to take away all his dignity in front of everyone. Until he could prove that Seton was guilty of gross mismanagement, he had to tread warily. It was even possible the factor was innocent and the blame lay elsewhere. It would be best to make sure before flinging any accusations about, Brice thought.
    ‘ Thank you,’ he replied.
    Seton turned to shout, ‘You heard the man, move yourselves!’ Then he strode off without offering any assistance.
    Brice took a deep breath and smiled when he noticed Archie peeping out from behind another, taller, boy. He beckoned him forward and held out Starke’s reins. ‘Here, you can be in charge of my horse. You know what to do, right?’
    Archie beamed at him and stroked Starke’s muzzle. ‘Aye, sir … er, my lord, I dae.’ He glanced over his shoulder to make sure everyone else was out of earshot before whispering, ‘And right glad I am ye’re back and ye’re no’ Mr Aaron ony mair.’
    Brice laughed and ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘Me too, Archie. Off you go now. Get someone to help you, eh?’
    He watched the boy lead the huge horse away, summoning the taller lad to join him. Brice knew they wouldn’t come to any harm because Starke was the gentlest horse in Christendom and wouldn’t hurt a fly, despite his size. Satisfied the animal would be looked after this time, he turned his attention to overseeing the unloading of the goods. He didn’t just observe, but carried in his fair share. This resulted in some surprised looks, but he pretended not to notice. The inhabitants of Rosyth House would find out soon enough he wasn’t the kind of master who’d sit still and watch others do all the work.
    Just as the last of the kellachs ’ contents were being carried indoors, a woman came round the corner of the house and stopped to stare at all the commotion. She was clearly a lady, although her gown was faded and worn. Ash-blonde hair framed a heart-shaped face and Brice glimpsed pale, but sparkling blue eyes. She was shorter and plumper than the housekeeper he’d met on the previous occasion, but still attractive. When her eyes came to rest on him, she let out a shriek and came running over to throw her arms around his neck.
    ‘ Brice! By all that’s holy, what are you doing here? It is you, isn’t it? My, how you’ve grown!’
    He grinned at her and returned the embrace, kissing her on the cheek before lifting her up and swinging her round like a child. She gurgled with laughter, but didn’t protest.
    ‘ You’ve grown a bit too, Kirsty, but maybe not as much as me,’ he said with a smile. ‘I