The group of men standing huddled around the door jumped back as Lillian exited the great hall. Mackenzie stood with them, his anxious face showing concern for the welfare of his master.

“Why is it men act like children when they have a point to prove?” Lillian observed the men’s blank expressions. Why would they understand? They often fought over the last piece of chicken.

“Come on now, move yourselves.” Mackenzie shooed the men out into the bailey. “The work won’t get done if we’re all standing here gaping.” Mackenzie returned to her side. “Do I need to act as referee?”

“No. Give them an hour to settle their grievances in their own way.” Vane’s reaction came as no surprise. She had expected him to bring the roof down. If anything, she was thankful he’d only thrown a few punches. “But I refuse to stand and watch them banter and brawl like schoolboys.”

“It’s clear Trevane has your best interests at heart, and his lordship will do anything to ensure your happiness.”

A smile touched Lillian’s lips despite the loud roar emanating from the ancient room. “You have faith in your master. He is lucky to have such a true and loyal friend.”

The Scot’s cheeks turned as red as his beard. “You know how to make a grown man blush, lass. But happen I don’t deserve your good grace.”

Lillian put her hand on Mackenzie’s arm. “Do you say that because of what happened at Vauxhall?” Some might say she was far too forgiving, but at the time she’d been too weary to persecute the man for his mistakes. Now, she didn’t see it as a mistake but a fated event beyond anyone’s control.

A chorus of masculine curses reached her ears.

Mackenzie glanced at the studded oak door and tutted. “I know I should feel ashamed for taking you from your home, but I’d heard the way the master spoke of you. I knew his need to bring you here had as much to do with saving himself as it did Estelle.”

The Scot knew what to say to placate her fears. “There was a time when I envisioned marrying Lord Ravenscroft. And now …” Her mind conjured an image of the dark-haired pirate plundering her mouth. She had only to mention his name and her insides performed a series of somersaults. “Now, even after such a short time, marriage to the Raven is everything I hoped it would be.”

Mackenzie covered her hand and gave it a gentle pat. “You should come with us on our next voyage. I can’t see his lordship leaving you behind, and there’s nothing like the sea air to invigorate the spirit.”

While she had no love for long voyages, the thought of being squashed in a cabin with Fabian certainly had appeal. “Perhaps I could bring Mary with me as a companion. Would you like that, Mackenzie?”

“Happen I’d be tripping over my own feet with Mary aboard ship. How’s a man to navigate the waters when his mind is away with the fairies?”

It suddenly occurred to her that she’d not seen Mary since the night of the attack. She had been so preoccupied with Fabian, one day had merged seamlessly into the next.

“Did you see Mary yesterday?” Lillian had seen Ursula. She’d asked the maid to style her hair despite taking part in the parrying competition. It had been a ploy, purely to gauge the woman’s reaction after the incident with the intruder.

The corners of Mackenzie’s mouth turned down. “I’ve not seen her since we shared supper. What with his lordship’s return and watching the prisoner, I’ve not had a chance to visit her.”

“I can go.” She needed to divert her attention away from the two men fighting in the great hall. Hopefully, by the time she returned they would have put aside their differences. “The walk will do me good.”

Mackenzie shook his head. “Och, don’t trouble yourself, my lady. I’ll find time to check on her today. Besides, after the attack in your chamber, his lordship won’t want you going out alone.”

Lillian forced a smile. Mackenzie assumed she’d told Fabian about the late-night intruder. She had planned to tell him but, like Vane, his need to protect her would prove stifling.

“Have you had any luck finding the treasure-hunting rabbits?” she said in a bid to change the subject. “Did you discover who has taken to digging up the heathland?”

Mackenzie glanced back over his shoulder before bowing his head. “I’ve not mentioned it to Lord Ravenscroft yet. After what happened with Doyle, I fear he’ll distrust the men.”

“Perhaps the culprit is merely looking for a way to occupy his time until his next voyage. I imagine most sailors long for a new adventure.”

“Happen you’re right. I’ve kept watch, but even the real rabbits are too shy to show themselves.”

Mary had accompanied them on their inspection. Did she know those responsible? Had she challenged them and now hid in her cottage in fear of her life?

“Let’s hope they appear soon. I’m rather partial to Mrs Bell’s rabbit stew.”

“Aye, the woman knows—”

“There you are, Mackenzie.” Mrs Bell waddled towards them bringing the smell of cooked apples with her. “Isaac said I’d find you here.” Her mouth fell open when Mackenzie stepped aside and she spotted Lillian. Mrs Bell curtsied. “Forgive me for interrupting, my lady. What with Mackenzie’s broad shoulders, I didn’t see you standing there.”

“That’s quite all right, Mrs Bell. We were just discussing the merits of your rabbit stew.”

The woman blushed. “Well, I can’t take all the credit. My old mother’s recipe never fails to hit the spot on a chilly night.”

“You were looking for Mackenzie,” Lillian prompted, ignoring the clatter from within the hall. “Please, do not let me stop you from your work.”

“Oh, yes.” Mrs Bell peered up at the man twice her height. “You asked me to tell you should anything else go missing from the kitchen.”

Mackenzie shifted nervously.

“Things are going missing from the kitchen?” Lillian said. No one had mentioned it before. Perhaps one of the men had taken advantage of her husband’s absence. “Have you informed Lord Ravenscroft?”

Mrs Bell seemed surprised she’d asked. “Mackenzie told the master.”

“His lordship asked me to investigate,” Mackenzie replied. “But there’s been so much happening of late I’ve not got around to it.”

Mrs Bell tutted. “It’s food today but what might it be tomorrow? Once a thief always a thief, that’s what my old father used to say.”

“Why would a man steal food?” With Fabian’s wealth, surely he could afford to feed a thousand men.

“That’s what I came to say.” Mrs Bell reached into her apron pocket and removed a small metal object. “It’s not a man were looking for. I found this in the pantry.” She opened her fingers to reveal a cloak pin crafted in the shape of a thistle.

Mackenzie sucked in a sharp breath as his face grew pale.

“I might be wrong,” Mrs Bell continued, “but does this not belong to Mary?”

Mackenzie paused before finally nodding. “Aye, that’s Mary’s pin. It belonged to her grandmother. The woman came from Skye hence the design.”

“Well, I can’t see she had cause to be in the pantry,” Mrs Bell said. “Unless she was fetching something for you, my lady.”

Once the gossip mill rolled, it wouldn’t stop regardless of a person’s innocence or guilt. And while Lillian had every reason to doubt Mary’s loyalty, the distress marring Mackenzie’s usually jolly countenance forced her to lie.

“I’ve struggled to sleep while here. I sent Mary down to the pantry two nights ago. Perhaps she dropped it then.”

A flash of relief brightened Mackenzie’s face, one quickly replaced by doubt. The man was no fool. He took a matter of seconds to recall that Mary had left the castle after taking supper with him.

Lillian straightened her shoulders and took the pin from Mrs Bell’s hand. “I shall return this to Mary. In the meantime, I will assist Mackenzie in his search for the thief.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Mrs Bell clutched the ends of her apron and dipped a curtsy. “I’d best get back to my work.”

No sooner had the woman turned the corner than Mackenzie released a weary sigh. “My lady, I cannot thank you enough for defending Mary. One word about this and the men would bundle her into a rowboat and leave her to the tide.”

“You should have told me about the thefts.” What with some men digging for treasure and others helping themselves to the contents of the pantry, Lillian was beginning to doubt the men’s loyalty.

“Aye.”

“While Lord Ravenscroft and my brother are solving their dispute, we shall visit Mary.”

The fact the woman hadn’t returned to the castle since the attack in Fabian’s bedchamber, proved telling. And it was best Mackenzie was not alone when learning of Mary’s duplicity.

“Wait here while I dress,” Lillian continued. With her unkempt appearance, she looked more like a tavern wench than an aristocratic lady. “I shall be five minutes.”

Mackenzie squirmed. “Begging your pardon, my lady, but I sent Ursula to the dock on an errand. The staff here have various roles, and I didn’t think you’d be in need of her services this afternoon.”

Things at the castle were certainly different from the rigid rules in London households, though Lillian found she much preferred the simpler way of life. “Pay it no mind. I think I am more than capable of brushing my hair and tying my cloak.”

Mackenzie bowed. “Still, it was wrong of me not to consult you.”

“We are all trying to adjust to our new circumstances. Wait for me here.”

Lillian hurried to Fabian’s room. One glimpse at the drawn hangings evoked memories of their wild adventure beneath the sheets. She tidied her clothes and found sturdy shoes in the trunk. After quickly plaiting her hair so it draped in true medieval style over one shoulder, she rushed downstairs to meet Mackenzie.

She passed the Scot in the corridor.

“Forgive me for not waiting, my lady. His lordship has asked for a bottle of brandy and two glasses, some warm water and squares of linen.”

Lillian resisted the urge to throw her arms in the air and cheer. If they were drinking brandy, they were talking. She contemplated joining them but feared her presence might fuel the dying embers of her brother’s rage.

“Then I shall wait for you in the bailey.”

Mackenzie nodded and hurried away.

Lillian must have waited twenty minutes for Mackenzie though it felt like hours. He popped out into the bailey, raised his hand and informed her that he was to explain the events at Vauxhall to her brother. He apologised and said he would join her promptly.

Impatience got the better of her. It was only a matter of time before Fabian and Vane asked to see her. Perhaps she should make herself unavailable, merely to make a point. Indeed, tired of waiting for Mackenzie, she decided to visit Mary alone. The Scot knew where she was heading and could meet her at the cottages once he’d finished running errands.

Lillian was about to leave through the gatehouse when she met Ursula, carrying a wicker basket.

“My lady,” Ursula said with some surprise. “I’ve just come from the dock. A few of the men are fishing and Mackenzie sent me to bring some back for Mrs Bell.” Ursula peeled back the linen cloth to reveal their shiny silver scales.

“I’m sure Mrs Bell will be grateful.” To reach the dock, Ursula had to venture past the cottages. “Did you see Mary on your travels?”

“No, my lady, I’ve not seen her of late.” Ursula bit down on her bottom lip and her pale skin flushed pink. “I know you chose her to act as your maid and companion, and I don’t mean to sound unkind, but the men don’t trust her. After what Doyle did, I can’t see that they’ll ever accept seeing her here at the castle.”

Sailors were a stubborn lot. Then again, perhaps Mary was as devious as her husband and sought to cause mischief at every opportunity. In the past, Lillian had been far too trusting and so refused to play the gullible fool again. There was only one way to discover the truth.

“Clearly, Mary is uncomfortable here as she’s not been back for two days. Do the women feel the same way about her as the men?”

“It wouldn’t have been too bad had Mary acted differently in the beginning. She swore she knew nothing of her husband’s plans and yet she stayed away, hiding in her cottage, never seeing anyone.”

“And you think that is an admission of guilt?”

Ursula shrugged. “I don’t know what to think, my lady. But I find it strange that she stayed on the island when she has family in Truro.”

A scandal of any sort often claimed innocent victims. It tarnished a family’s reputation merely by association. Lillian understood why Mary kept away. She, too, had walked into a room only to have people stare and smirk. Some gave her the cut direct, eager to show their disdain. Cowards chose the indirect approach, pretending they’d not seen her to avoid any awkwardness.

“Has anyone spoken to Mary?” Lillian asked. “Has anyone questioned her about why she behaves as she does?”

“Most have made up their minds for themselves. They’d have put her in a rowboat back to the mainland, but his lordship refused to remove Mary from her home.” A look passed over the wench’s face when she referred to Fabian, one of admiration.

“Well, I’m on my way to visit Mary now. I shall speak to her and see what explanation she offers for her absence these last two days.” There were but a few excuses the woman could use. Most telling would be her reaction when Lillian mentioned the injury she sustained in the bedchamber tussle.

Ursula frowned. “You shouldn’t go alone, my lady.” Her gaze drifted to the cut above Lillian’s eyebrow. “After your nasty fall, you might still be unsteady on your feet. Wait while I take the basket inside and I’ll come with you.”

“Mackenzie is to accompany me when he’s finished with Lord Ravenscroft.” Knowing Fabian and Vane, they’d probably encouraged the Scot to drink with them. “As the wind has eased, and the sun is shining, I thought I’d take a leisurely stroll to the dock.”

“Isaac said we’re due a mighty downpour. I shall give the basket to Mrs Bell and keep you company until Mackenzie arrives.” Ursula pursed her lips and sighed. “I’m not saying I don’t trust Mary, but they say a sailor has the foresight of a gull for predicting storms. They sense something is wrong.”

Since the scuffle with the intruder, Lillian had spoken to all the women of the same height and build — all except Mary. Heather and Ursula showed no sign of guilt. Just like the incident with Lord Martin, was someone else manipulating events to suit their purpose? And if so why?

“Speak to Mackenzie and tell him I am heading to the cottages. If he’s occupied, then by all means, you may keep me company on the journey. But know that I intend to speak to Mary alone.” If intimidation was the problem, then Mary would say nothing in front of Ursula.

Ursula smiled. “Have no fear, my lady. You can trust me.”