"Good evening, your Lordship," Thorburn said, extending his hand. "Thank you for coming. Why don't you step in. The table's been set and the servants are ready to begin serving. Have you met my fiancé, Teárlag Mackintosh?"

"Yes," he answered, "she was a guest of yours during Frang's marriage, was she not?"

"Exactly. As you can see, Frang and Isobel are visiting us from Lady Luck Farm. And of course, I'm sure you remember Stuart and his wife, Ailene."

"Delighted to see you all again, I'm sure," he said. He paused. "There was mention of some sort of remuneration for my time?" he hinted.

"Of course," Thorburn said, smoothly handing...