Page 35 of A Scot in the Storm
The lass jumped visibly.
“Aye, sir.”
“These garments belong to Mistress Abigail.”
“Aye, sir. Mrs. Gable said they were soaked through wi’ salt water and needed washing.”
“She told ye to wash them. She didna tell ye to hang them in the middle of the yard like a traveling show.”
Jean’s eyes filled instantly with mortified tears “No, sir.”
“They’re to be dried indoors. In the drying room. Now.”
“Aye, sir.”
“And Jean.” Rory waited until she met his eyes. “If I hear one whisper of this carried into town by ye, or yer mother, or yerauntie the midwife, it’ll be the last washing ye do beneath this roof. Am I understood?”
The girl went pale as milk.
“Aye, sir.”
“Then take them down.”
She scrambled to obey, nearly tangling herself in the wet hems as she yanked the shirt and trousers from the line with trembling hands.
The poor lass looked near ready to faint from humiliation.
Still, Rory didna soften. A story like this one could spread through Fraserburgh before supper if given half the chance.
When Jean had disappeared indoors with the bundle clutched against her chest, Rory turned back toward the gathered men.
“The woman found on the rocks remains under my protection while she stays here.”
No one interrupted him.
“If any of ye have concerns, ye bring them to me. Not to each other. Not to the town.”
His gaze rested briefly on Elrick.
“Is that understood?”
A low murmur answered him. Rory waited.
“I said, is that understood?”
“Aye, Captain.”
This time the agreement came clearer, though not one of them seemed eager about it.
“Back to work, then.”
They dispersed slowly.
Elrick went last, touching two fingers briefly to his forehead before turning toward the construction yard. Respectful enough in form. Less so in spirit.
Rory watched him go. The man was an excellent mason. Steady hands. Fine eye for stone.
But he was also the sort who saw omens in spilled salt and warnings in storm clouds, and Rory had spent enough years at sea to know men like that could steady a crew in hard weather or unravel it entirely. There was seldom much middle ground.
