Thorburn leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek, patted her bare bum and went downstairs to dress. He looked around to see if anyone was watching before slipping out the door and going to meet the others. Meeting his guards across the street, they proceeded to the meeting place.

They were all waiting by the wagons.

"You're late, Thorburn, and we didn't see you at the Inn for lunch," Stuart said.

"Aye. Lady Mackintosh fed me at her home. She felt we would have a better opportunity to get to know one another at her home, than at the Inn."

"And did you get to know...