The carriage was outside the dock gates, with the early morning sun reflecting from the newly washed body and the matched horses stamping in their traces. I did not need the distinctive coat-of-arms on the door to tell me the owner.
“Miss Easson.” Baird sat in the doorway, puffing on a long cheroot. “How good it is to see you again.” Standing, he made an elaborate bow.
I curtseyed in return, hoping he could not see the tears on my face and the redness of my eyes. “Mr MacGillivray, I am surprised to see you here.”
Baird waved his cheroot around vaguely. “There is no need for surprise, Miss Easson. After all, I am considering moving into the trading business. To do that I must inspect the docks to see what is happening. Pray, what brings you to this airt?”
“I was saying farewell to my in
