“We’ve been waiting for you this long while!” Mina began pulling her up the hill.
Kelpie came willingly enough. She was almost glad to see Mina’s evil old face. She knew where she was with Mina. She could hate and be hated single-mindedly, and always know how Mina would behave. The people at Glenfern were unpredictable and confusing.
Black Bogle was waiting in a clump of snowy-trunked birches halfway up the hill. He said nothing, just grinned without warmth or welcome.
“Well, and what have you got?” demanded Mina, turning upon Kelpie with greedy fingers held out.
“Nothing at all,” muttered Kelpie defensively. “The red-haired uruisg took back the silver and the snuff box and said if I was taking anything else he would be setting all the Camerons and MacDonalds against us.”
Mina cursed Alex and Kelpie both, but with her mind so clearly upon other matters that Kelpie didn’t feel the curses would be very effective. “Well, so!” concluded the old woman suddenly. “And just as well, perhaps. For we are wanting you to bide here for a time.”
Kelpie stared, her mouth drooping open. Dhé! Now Mina was being as unpredictable as anyone in the glen below! “And whatever for, if I cannot be stealing anything?” she demanded. “And why would they be letting me stay?”
Mina struck at her. Kelpie ducked automatically, and Bogle chuckled. He would also have chuckled had the blow landed.
“You’ll be persuading them, just,” commanded Mina. “Play upon their sympathy. Let them be making you a maidservant if they will—and mind that you be a good one. ’Tis a spy you’ll be, to watch and listen, for the lads are fresh from England and knowing about affairs. Be learning how they feel about the King and Mac Cailein Mor and the Lord Graham of Montrose. And keep them feeling kindly toward you, for we may use them one day.”