They entered the square and Heddy halted. “Good God.”
“Terrible sight, isn’t it?” Kiernan stared at what remained of the two cottages.
The first cottage had burned nearly to the ground, while the back wall of the second cottage and stone chimney was all that remained of that building. He strode to the cottage on the left and stepped through what used to be the doorway, then dug the stick into the ashes and began shifting through them.
“Be careful, sir,” Heddy called. “Coals are sure to still burn in spots.”
“Yes.”
Nothing but ash turned up in his search and he went to the second cottage. The doorframe stood waist high, and he stepped carefully over the threshold. He shuffled throughout the cottage, stopping to turn a board over with his boot or prod at the ash with his stick.
After several moments, Heddy said, “Does anything of interest remain?”
Kiernan turned and met her gaze. “What of interest could remain? Perhaps the coverlet that Evvana’s great-great grandmother made? Or the new pair of boots Logan’s brother sent him for his birthday?”
“Any of those things would be of interest.” Her eyes softened. “The girl was not badly hurt in the fire.”
“So Winnie says,” he said, and began picking his way to the far corner.
“How many tenants live on your land?” Heddy asked.
“It isn't my land.”
“How many tenants on your father’s land, then?”
Kiernan’s stick hit something solid. He pushed aside more ash until the remains of a glass lamp became visible. “Heddy, come have a look at this.”
She started forward.
Her skirts swished and Kiernan jerked his head around. “No. I forgot your skirts. It's too dangerous to walk through the cinders.”
He stuck the stick through the handle of the lamp and lifted it carefully.
She stepped back as he carried it over the threshold. He squatted and set the lamp on the ground at her feet.
Heddy followed suit and studied it for a moment. “The glass is still in tact. Had the lamp been the cause of the fire, it would have fallen over. Why didn't it break?”
Kiernan tipped the lamp slightly to one side. “Good question.”
“Are you, by chance, involved in a feud?”
He looked up to find her studying him. “We're not at war,” he replied.
“I only thought…”
“Thought what?”
“If you are helping tenants evicted by the duchess…”
Kiernan came to his feet, pulling her up with him. “Be careful, Miss Ballingham. Such accusations are dangerous. The duchess wouldn't take kindly to being accused of arson.”
“I didn't accuse her.”
“Who then?”
Heddy shook her head. “I'm not accusing anyone. It's just that such associations—”
“What associations?”
“Associations such as Alan Hay.”
“Do not meddle in things you know nothing of. That's just as dangerous as throwing allegations at someone as powerful as the Duchess of Sutherland.”
“For whom?”
“The person making them.” Kiernan looked around, searching the men milling throughout the square. “Nelson,” he called. “Come here, if you please.” When Nelson reached them, Kiernan said, “Be so kind as to see Miss Ballingham back to Brahan Seer.” He turned to her. “I'm going north. I won't be back for at least two days. This is goodbye, Heddy.”
"Goodbye?"
"I expect Regan will fetch you before I return."
Her lips pursed.
Ah, so she didn't regret seeing him go at all. "You're not still angry with him?" he asked.
She sighed. “I can make the short walk to the castle myself. No need for your man to accompany me.”
“I wager you can, but I prefer you not wander about alone.”
Her brows lifted in polite inquiry.
“You remember my mention of the piper?” he asked.
Her regard remained detached. “Once you're gone, what is to stop me from leaving?”
“Good sense, I would hope. If you should decide to leave, I suggest you don't stop. I am known as a relentless hunter.” With that, he strode away.
*****
Phoebe had consulted the maps in the MacGregor library immediately after Kiernan left that morning and, as Alan Hay had said, the duchess' land was far to the north. Earlier, on her way to the kitchen, she had calculated their journey. They wouldn't reach her anytime soon, especially on foot. But by the time Phoebe reached London and Lord Briarden dispatched someone to warn the duchess, it could be too late. Her best choice was to slip away from Brahan Seer and ride as fast as she could for London. Kiernan had been gone several hours now, long enough for her to have a head start that would ensure he didn't catch her. From the corner of her eye, Phoebe caught sight of a tall figure that filled the kitchen doorway.
She shot to her feet, toppling her chair. “Lord Stoneleigh.”
“Phoebe,” he said.