“Ye’ve had enough excitement to last a verrae long time,” Brenna said with a lightness that did not reach her eyes. She tapped a fingernail against the rim of Laurel’s cup. “Get some tea in ye, lass. It’ll warm yer bones.”
Observing Brenna as if trying to determine whether the innkeeper was friend or foe, Laurel took a sip, then nibbled a biscuit. “What do you call this?”
“Shortbread. Fresh from the oven,” Brenna said.
“Thank you.” Laurel stared down at her cup. What misery lurked in the child’s thoughts? What horror had she witnessed during her captivity?
Brenna took a generous bite of biscuit and washed it down with a swallow of tea. “Connor has the brooch?”
“Yes.” An image of the concealed knife, bloodied after use, flickered in Johanna’s thoughts. Her stomach twisted. “It was…effective.”
Brenna offered a knowing nod. “Cranston believed it to be the Demon’s Heart?”
“He considered the possibility. But I was sadly unconvincing. Pity I’m such a poor liar.”
“Ye told him it was the stone?”
Johanna stared down at her cup. “I led him to that conclusion.”
“’Twas not a lie, my friend.”
If Brenna had spilled hot tea in Johanna’s lap, she might have been less shocked. “What…what do you mean?”
A sly smile lifted Brenna’s lips. “The brooch may contain the stone. Truth be told, there’s no way of knowing.”
“I don’t understand. I saw the gem that had been buried near the loch.”
Brenna nodded. “You saw one of the stones…one of the three rubies.”
“Three?” She gasped.
“Our ancestors, the first to guard the ancient relics of our forefathers, created two replicas of the cursed ruby. Each was hidden for quite a long time. One was placed in the brooch. Another buried at the loch. And the third was entrusted to my kin for safekeeping. I’d ensured it was locked away, in a vault so secret, even my dear husband dinnae ken its location. No one knows which is the real stone.”
“But you have your suspicions?”
“No,” Brenna said without hesitation. “I dinnae want to know. All three will be safeguarded. We cannae take any chances.”
“And the book?”
“It will also be secured. Someone went to a great deal of trouble filling that book with hidden markings. Serena MacMasters will be entrusted with deciphering the symbols. She’s one of the finest codebreakers in the Queen’s empire.” Brenna turned to Laurel. “I see ye’ve had some of yer biscuit. Would ye like something else?”
“No, thank you.” Laurel sipped from a dainty cup. “Auntie, where will we go now?”
“To London. At first.”
Laurel reached for another biscuit. “And from there?”
“A voyage to America will be quite the thing to cheer us both.” Could Laurel hear the uncertainty in her words?
The very thought of leaving Connor carved a fissure in Johanna’s heart. But there was nothing to be done about it. Laurel needed to be among family. Back at home—back in Philadelphia. Laurel’s grandmother and grandfather longed to embrace the child they’d seen only once, when the child had been an infant.
Laurel’s mouth settled into a little pout. “When we get to America, may I have a kitten?”
“A kitten?”
Her expression grew solemn. “Mama promised me a pet. But then…then she took ill…”
Johanna chucked her affectionately under the chin. “I’m positive that can be arranged, darling.”
“So it’s a cat the wee lassie wants,” Connor said, hunkering down by the fire. When had he entered the room? He’d bathed and donned trousers and a white shirt that emphasized his well-muscled arms and shoulders. “Independent creatures, to be certain.” He slanted Johanna a smile. “I can see where that would suit yer aunt.”
Laurel’s nose twitched. She rubbed at it with the back of her hand. “I’ve already decided on a name. Would you like to hear it?”
Connor made Laurel the center of his attention. “Aye, lass.”
“Piper.” Laurel’s smile lit her face.
“Piper?” Johanna repeated. “Why?”
“I heard bagpipers while Papa and I stayed at an inn. They wore kilts and their music was…happy. Just as my kitten will be.”
He studied the child with thoughtful eyes. “Ye like it here…in Scotland?”
“Yes.” Laurel seemed to ponder the word, her brow furrowing. “But I will love America as well. Auntie Jo and I get along famously. Mama always said we were so very much alike.”
“Indeed,” Johanna said. Was it her imagination, or did Connor’s eyes take on a gleam at Laurel’s words?
He stood, stretching his long legs, and raked a hand through his hair. The familiar, spicy scent of his shaving soap filled Johanna’s senses, and her heart tripped a bit faster. “Johanna, I need a word with ye.”
He shot Brenna a speaking glance. She gave a small nod and turned to Laurel. “Would ye like me to show ye how t’make shortbread, dear? It’s delicious and more than a bit of fun.”
Laurel’s serious countenance brightened. “May I, Auntie?”