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G unn was just finishing up wiping down the chairs and tables in the pub when the door burst open, and giggles filled the space.

He looked up, seeing a laughing Lizzie and a contrite Jocelyn. She looked at him nervously, worrying her lip with her teeth.

“Gunn. I’ve saved Jocelyn from that dreadful room ye’ve forced her into.”

Quickly, Jocelyn spoke up. “She is jesting. I have no problem with my workspace. It contains all that I need.”

Lizzie rolled her eyes at Jocelyn and turned to him. “She is being much too kind. It is dark and dank. What were ye thinking by sticking her in there?” She crossed her arms and pinned him with a severe glare.

“I have already informed Jocelyn that I will be moving her desk to some place more pleasant.”

“I dinna ken how long ye have had her working where she is, but that is an idea ye should have had before now. Dinna ye think?”

Jocelyn stepped forward, looking guilty. “I apologize. I’ve waged no complaint over what you have provided, which has been more than accommodating. I will get back to work.”

She spun on her heel and began to leave.

Lizzie glared at him, widening her eyes and gesturing to Jocelyn’s retreating form. Like he was supposed to do something.

“Jocelyn,” he called out.

She stopped, but didn’t turn to face him. Just stood there, her head hanging before she spoke quietly. “I will work late this eve to make up for lost time. My apologies.” She began to move forward again.

“Jocelyn, halt,” he ordered, his voice sounding more stern than he meant. “I dinna care about your work time.”

She spun, blue eyes clashing with his. “Lizzie is correct. ’Twas wrong of me to put ye in such a space. Ye should cease until I can move ye to a room up here.”

“I was just going to take her outside so she could get some fresh air,” Lizzie said, emphasizing the point as if he were daft.

“That’s a wonderful idea.”

“See, ye had naught to fash about.”

He watched the whirl of emotions cross Jocelyn’s face. The lass fashed too much. She was so concerned about not working hard enough. He’d be damned if he worked her to the bone. She still looked like she needed to hearty up.

“I will leave ye ladies to it, then. But Jocelyn?”

“Yes,” she answered, her voice barely audible.

“Ye still owe me a walk,” he said with a wink.

He could see the relief that sagged her shoulders. She dipped her head and then Lizzie was pulling her out the door.

He shook his head and pulled out a chair, sinking into it. The meeting he had with his solicitor earlier that day had gone much as he expected it to. There was little money to move around between his businesses and his estates. Gunn would need to make a decision soon.

Close, sell, or fund it from his other income sources, which right now, he had no other streams of revenue. Things were indeed looking dim for the Thistle & Pig and those he employed.

Looking around the pub, he thrummed his fingers along the polished wood of the tabletop. He’d furnished the space with the best tables. The most comfortable chairs. The finest liquor one could buy.

Once again, he thought about what had changed.

Aye, Theodore was stealing from him. That was certain.

And that explained his empty coffers, but it didn’t explain why people stopped frequenting the pub.

He had to get to the bottom of that. He had always had a good rapport with the townsfolk.

He still seemed to when he crossed paths with them.

Yet, they no longer walked through his doors.

Somehow, he believed Theodore was behind that as well, but why? What purpose could it serve him to kill his patronage? With the amount of coin he’d stolen, Gunn would think he would want to keep that up. He couldn’t skim aught off the top when naught was coming in.

None of it made sense.

Mayhap after Malcolm returned with information about Jocelyn’s past, he could look into what Theodore was up to.

The door opened and the subject of his thoughts walked in. “Good afternoon, Gunn.”

Not ready to let Theodore ken he was on to his scheme, Gunn nodded in greeting. “What brings ye around?” It still wasn’t his day to work. And surely he had better places to be.

“Was that Lady Kennedy out there with your new ward?”

He sighed, annoyed at the question. “Aye, and she isna my ward.”

“Isna she?” he asked smartly, his eyes narrowing. “I see she is still here as I predicted.”

Gunn ignored the jab. “She is under my employment now. What do ye need?” he asked again.

Theodore’s eyes widened as he looked around the pub. “With what funds?”

Was he trying to figure out what Jocelyn was doing? Certainly he would never guess what her job entailed. And Gunn was not about to divulge that information.

“’Tis none of your concern.” Gunn was growing tired of Theodore’s presence. “Again, I ask is there something ye need?”

“Naught really. Just seeing how the pub was faring today.”

Gunn pressed his lips into a thin line to keep from saying something he may regret later. Taking a deep breath, he blew it out slowly. “We have just opened, as ye ken. So no one yet.”

He nodded. Gunn got the sense he was fishing for something. Information? He didn’t ken, but whatever it was Gunn had no interest in offering him aught.

Theodore smiled. “Well,” he bowed his head and tipped his hat. “I shall be on my way then.”

With his arms crossed at his chest, Gunn watched him walk to the door.

Hand on the door, he paused. “Do let me ken if ye need me for aught,” he called out nonchalantly and slipped through the door.

“Arsehole,” Gunn muttered. He was up to something. He just didn’t ken what. “Are ye set?” he asked Thomas.

The man nodded and Gunn dropped the cloth he’d been using to wipe everything down into a hamper behind the bar. “I’ll be back later,” he said and walked outside.

He was ready to walk with Jocelyn as he promised. He found her and Lizzie sitting on the bench outside the inn, watching the people pass by. He wished they would stop inside the pub for a drink, but that was a matter to think on later.

For now, he wanted to focus all his attention on Jocelyn.

“Ladies,” he greeted, bowing deeply.

Jocelyn greeted him with a smile while Lizzie giggled.

He ignored her.

“Jocelyn, Lizzie. Would ye care to join me for a walk?”

Lizzie jumped up from the bench. “I actually have something that I need to do. I completely let it slip my mind. I’ll leave ye two alone.” When Jocelyn looked away from her, she waggled her eyes at Gunn.

The liar. She had naught to do, but he appreciated her lie.

They watched her walk into the inn.

“That was not so subtle,” Jocelyn giggled.

Gunn couldn’t help but laugh along with her. “No’ at all.” He offered his arm. “Would ye care for a stroll?”

For a moment she stared at his outstretched arm and he wondered if she would reject his offer. Finally, she smiled, and slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow.

“I would like that.”

“I can show ye around our quaint little town.”

They headed north, ambling along slowly as if neither of them had a care in the world. “I did some exploring on my own when I first arrived. It’s quite nice.”

“Thank ye. I enjoy the time I spend here.”

She nodded. “I heard you have another estate, not too far from here.”

He studied her profile as they continued down the street, and then turned right. He wasn’t sure what he expected to see there. Something that would hint as to why she was here. And something darker.

What if she was here because of his failing business? Was it some grand scheme she was plotting? With his free hand he pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t think that was the case. But considering his circumstances, he needed to be careful.

They passed the baker, and he noticed her deep inhale. The smile that just ticked up the corner of her mouth as she savored the delicious scents wafting out onto the street.

He had an idea. Tugging on her hand, he steered her to the door. “Let’s see what sweet treat awaits us inside.”

“Oh, I shouldn’t.

Shifting so she could look at his face, he met her eyes.

“Why no’?” He glanced over his shoulder at the display of pastries and tarts in the window.

“I ken ye havena eaten aught since ye broke your fast this morn. And ye must admit,” he took a deep breath, “Those scents are hard to resist. Dinna tell me ye doona like sugar.”

She caught her lip in her teeth, trying to hide her smile, but it was too late. He’d seen it.

“See? I ken ye crave something from inside. Let’s feed your hunger.”

Cheeks flushed, Jocelyn finally acquiesced. But he couldn’t tell if her blush was from excitement for the bakery or for the images his comments conjured up.

For him, all the heat he felt was due to having her in such close proximity to him.

And what he was craving couldn’t be bought off the shelf in the bakery.

*

Gunn held open the door of the bakery for Jocelyn to enter. Ducking under his outstretched arm, she walked into the welcoming place and was immediately enveloped with warmth and scents that soothed her soul.

“Sir Burnett,” Liam, the baker greeted him cheerily.

“Liam. ’Tis nice to see ye. I see ye are making all the delights to tempt passersby again,” Gunn stated.

The older man chuckled. “The misses and I have been busy.” He looked at Jocelyn. “I dinna believe we’ve met, my lady. I’m Liam, the owner of this, if I do say so myself, fine establishment.”

Jocelyn dipped into a curtsy. “It is very nice to meet you, Liam. Jocelyn. I’m staying at the inn.”

“She is doing more than that. She is settling in to make Kincardine her home,” Gunn stated.

Liam’s face brightened. “Splendid. ’Tis a lovely place to settle down.”

“I have found it very pleasant so far.”

She chanced a sidelong glance at Gunn, but he was already looking at her and caught her gaze. She swore she saw him puff out his chest.