The older man looked at him shrewdly. "So you've learned that money is as much curse as blessing. That's why we did little with Hugh's legacy. I'd rather have my sons be doctors and teachers than dissolute fops." He waved his pipe at the next cottage. "My sister Annie's place. She has three daughters, so be prepared for screaming when I break the news. It's not every day one acquires a fascinating new cousin."

Nor was it every day that one lost a fascinating woman-but Kyle could feel it happening, inch by agonizing inch.

Chapter 40

The Montgomerys put on a cèilidh to remember. It took place in the assembly room attached to the inn and featured mountains of food, rivers of drink, a gaggle of musicians, and what appeared to be half the population of Berwickshire.

As guest of honor, Troth was in constant demand for dancing and conversation. Kyle watched her from a quiet corner on the fringes of the celebration. This was her night, and she deserved to enjoy every minute of it. Face flushed and hair flying, she was beautiful. Wisely, she'd chosen one of her less elaborate gowns so she wouldn't be overdressed for the occasion, and with her athletic grace she'd picked up the exuberant, foot-stamping reels with no problem.

She looked as if she had been born for this place and these people. In fact, she had been. It had just taken her a long time to find her way home.

Since she'd moved from the inn to her grandmother's house, Kyle had seen less of her, and that always in company. He'd hoped for more from this courtship. But perhaps that was for the best. He was coming to terms with the bitter fact that he needed her while she really had no need for him.

Two middle-aged women who'd been crossing the hall came to a stop in front of him. One said, her gaze on Troth, "Seems a nice girl, but verra foreign-looking."

"The Montgomerys don't seem to mind," the other said. "Though I certainly wouldna want my son to marry her."

"Even though they say she's heir to a fine fortune?"

"Och, I'd be a terrible mother to stand in the way of my son's happiness," the other said mockingly.

Kyle was tempted to confront the two women, but neither Troth nor her family would welcome his creating a scene in the middle of the cèilidh, so he moved away. Though the Montgomerys had welcomed their prodigal granddaughter, some of the locals were more critical.

"Maxwell! Will ye have a wee dram with me?"

He turned to see Caleb Logan, the China trader down from Edinburgh, approaching with a bottle and a couple of small glasses. Though Kyle had run into him regularly in Canton, he hadn't realized that Logan had once been Hugh Montgomery's partner, or he would have done some quiet probing to learn more about what Troth's father had been like.

"Let's drink to Scotland, and the most unusual lassie in the Borders!" Logan said jovially as he handed over a glass of clear amber whiskey.

"To Scotland and Troth Montgomery." Kyle tossed back the fierce spirits, glad he hadn't had much to drink so far this evening. Logan was one of the more successful traders in Canton, and typical of his breed: shrewd, pragmatic, and determined to make a fortune large enough to allow him to retire to Scotland in grand style. "Good to see you again. How was your voyage home from China?"

"Fine indeed. I traveled with a cargo of best Bohea tea, and sold it at a premium price." Logan swallowed his dram and poured another. "Hugh would be glad to know his daughter has come home to Scotland."

"When Montgomery died in the shipwreck, was there any thought of sending Troth back to his family?" Kyle asked curiously.

Logan shook his head. "Not that I know of. He kept her and her mother very private. Even I never saw her, though Hugh and I worked together daily when I first went out East. After Hugh drowned, Chenqua told me the girl was going to live with Chinese relations, which seemed reasonable enough. No point in uprooting the lass and sending her halfway around the world if she had family nearby."

Chenqua had said Troth had Chinese relatives? That was strange. Li-Yin had come from the north, and had no communication with her family after she was sold as a concubine.

An uneasy thought struck him. Might Chenqua have told Logan that Troth had family so he could keep Troth's linguistic skills for his own use? Kyle disliked the idea that Chenqua might have turned Troth into a virtual slave for purely selfish reasons. Of course, from Chenqua's point of view, he might have been doing Troth a favor by offering a worthless mixed-blood girl-child a chance to be useful. "It must have been hard on your business when Montgomery and his ship went down."

"Aye, it took a lot of hard work, juggling of finances, and cooperation from Chenqua to stave off bankruptcy. By the next year, though, things were looking better, and I've done well enough since."

Remembering what Gavin had said, Kyle remarked, "In Canton, I heard hints of some kind of scandal about Montgomery. Why was that? "

Logan gave him a hard look. "There's no point in speaking ill of the dead."

"Did Montgomery do something that bad?"

Logan made a negative gesture with his glass. "Don't be thinking Hugh was a criminal. He was a damned good fellow in most ways. But… maybe a bit of a hypocrite."

Had Montgomery dealt in opium even as he preached against it? Or was there some other old scandal? Logan was right-there was no point in unearthing old tales, especially ones that might hurt Troth. He hoped she'd never heard any of the China traders disparaging her father. Changing the subject, he asked, "Do you have a family here in Scotland?"

"Aye. My wife went out with me to Macao at the beginning, but she hated the climate, and after we had a couple of bairns, she decided to come home for fear of the fever and illnesses there. That's why I come back regularly-to remind my family who their lord and master is." He chuckled. "Of course, when I'm here I miss my China girl, but there will be a fine welcome waiting when I return to Macao." His gaze rested on Troth. "There's something about Chinese women that European females can't match."

"Perhaps you should have brought your concubine along for your amusement," Kyle said dryly.

"I considered it, but all hell would have broken loose. By the way, what's this I hear about you and Hugh's daughter? Some say you're married, some not."

Kyle pulled out the official story once more. "We just performed a nominal handfast to help her come to Britain. The term of that will end soon."

"Och, that makes sense. She's a bonnie lass for sure, but a man in your position obviously couldn't marry her for real."

If Logan had made a comment implying that Kyle had done the handfast so he could sleep with Troth, then discard her, Kyle would have broken the whiskey bottle over the other man's head. Luckily, Logan had too much sense for that. Instead, he slanted a crafty glance toward Kyle. "I had some of Elliott House's Earl's Blend Tea. Fine stuff. Should do well. What's in it?"

Kyle smiled. "I may not be a real trader, but I know better than to answer that."

"It was worth a try. No matter, give me some time and I'll figure out the blend," Logan said, unabashed. "All's fair in love, war, and business."

"When do you return to China?"

"July, so I can reach Canton just as the new trading season opens. I wanted to spend spring in Scotland. I miss the summers, though not the winters. I hear you and your handfast bride are going to be taking a trip up to the Highlands?"

"We're leaving the day after tomorrow for Kinnockburn, north of Stirling. My mother was a Highlander, and she left some property there."