Page 71 of A Rogue in Firelight

Ronan thought of Dawson, the excise officer who had led the ambush and arrest in Culross. He was not to be trusted. “What else?”

“Pitlinnie tells his men you are more than you seem, and dangerous. He says you will inherit Darrach and claim the credit and profit for whisky-making in these glens. Says all whisky-men in this region should beware Glenbrae once he becomes Darrach.”

“I see,” Ronan said. “All lies. Let me know what more you find out.”

“He said you are a wolf among sheep.”

“You two are hardly sheep. Keep quiet and stay smart. It will protect you.”

Geordie nodded. “Sir, we saw him recently near Invermorie. He saw Aleck and me and told us you are ruined. Told us we can earn good coin by joining his lot. Aleck refused straightaway. But I—I am thinking about it.”

“Soon you will be a married man, and someday have a family to support. So you want to build a life. It is understandable.”

“But I am loyal to you, sir.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Sir, if we ever need an advocate in court, would you stand up for us?” he asked.

“If you go with Pitlinnie, lad, you may well need me one day,” Ronan drawled.

“I do not want to go over to him,” Geordie said. “But his runs are profitable.”

“They are. Tell me, how does Pitlinnie know anything about me?”

“From your sister-in-law, Mairi Brodie,” Aleck said. “He visits as a neighbor and treats her well. He makes himself useful and is wooing her.”

“He wants to marry her?” Ronan narrowed his eyes.

“If she would agree,” Aleck said. “What he wants is all of Glenbrae, including Invermorie. Mairi Brodie is a way to get that.” He swept an arm northward.

Marrying Will’s widow would level a direct blow against Ronan. “That cannot happen.”

“We hope not. Do you have work for us, sir?” Aleck asked. “We have not moved Glenbrae whisky over the hills since you and your lads got locked away. We sell through the shops in Kinross and Perth. Legitimate but slow to put coin in our pockets.”

“Best keep a low profile for now. When the tax laws change next year, there will be little profit from illicit trade, and harsher penalties. You will make more legitimately.”

“What is harsher than hanging?” Geordie asked. “Or being pistol-shot on a hillside, like your brother and cousin?” He spit on the ground.

Ronan felt a muscle pump in his cheek. “The laws will help legal distilleries.” He was loath to scare them, so promoted the tax laws as promising, even if they were not.

“Is the free trade done?” Geordie asked.

“Nearly.”

“Just as well.” Aleck echoed Ronan’s tone like a lad after his father. At times, Ronan had felt like an older brother, even a father, to these two.

“Lads, keep an eye on our goods. Let me know what Pitlinnie does.”

“If I went over to Pitlinnie’s crew, I could learn more,” Geordie said.

“I would never send you into the fire. If your cousins will share information, take no more risk than that. And watch their backs as well as your own. Kin are kin.” Geordie and Aleck nodded, looking relieved.

“We will check the goods stored near Darrach Castle soon as we can,” Aleck said.

“Good. I will need your help to move them and arrange shipment to Edinburgh. It must arrive in time for the king’s arrival.”

“The king!” Aleck said.