The captain winked. “Aye, and ye might see your way to remove him from that, Mr. Cant. I’ve spent half of my life now defending the rights of your flesh-and-blood bishops on battlefields, and it would pain me to harm this one.” He turned to Lily. “What’s this, then? Have ye brought me something to eat?”
Smiling encouragement, he nodded at the small basket she carried.
She wanted to tell him that it was her kitten. She wanted to tell him she’d come here to speak with him. No words came. She could do no more than stare at his chair, for it was the same chair where she’d sat with her father, that last evening here in this chamber.
Captain Graeme, somehow, understood. “Would ye like to sit here, Lily?”
She nodded.
Rising, he pulled up another chair, close to the table, and gallantly waited while she sat before he did likewise.
She felt the smooth curve of the wood of the chair, with its tapestried cushion and woven cane back, and it felt like the warmth of her father enfolding her, giving her strength.
She told Captain Graeme, “I’ve come here to serve ye.”
“To serve me?”
“Aye. My mother’s family have long served the Graemes,” she said. “I can work very hard.” She explained all her grandmother had taught her, up at Inchbrakie. “And I’ve learnt more since, here with Jean. I’ll not fail ye.”
“Lass…”
“Jean says she’ll not take your silver, no more of it, but I ken she’d take my wages if I were to earn them.”
“Lily.” He bent his head, just for a moment, then raised it and met her gaze. “You’re right, our families have been long connected, and I’m greatly honored ye’d make me this offer. But, lass, we’ve no space for more servants the now.”
“Then,” said Lily, “my grandmother might take me back again, up at Inchbrakie, so Jean would not have the expense of keeping me.” She said it with reluctance.
While she greatly loved her grandmother, she did not wish to be so far from Bessie and wee James, and from the family she’d been given here in Edinburgh, so she felt some relief when Captain Graeme said, “Your grandmother’s too old now, lass, to care for ye.” He made a study of her face, and something in the upraised angle of her chin made his eyes soften. “I do ken one family in the Canongate, a family of good character, who need a girl to help within their kitchen. Shall I ask if they would take ye?”
Lily nodded. “Would they take my kitten, too?” She had the basket at her feet, and pointed now toward it. “Jean says where we’re moving after Lammas Day, we cannot bring the kitten.”
Captain Graeme gravely shook his head. “I’m very sorry, Lily, but ye could not have your kitten in the Canongate. The family is not fond of cats.”
Mr. Cant leaned forward with a kindly smile. “I tell you, Captain Graeme, I have been most plagued of late by mice within my vestry.”
Captain Graeme exchanged glances with the minister, and asked him, “Have ye, now?”
“I have indeed. I don’t suppose you’d wish to sell your kitten to me, Lily? I’ve a merk here I could pay you.”
If she had not seen the coin that he was holding, Lily would have thought she had not heard him properly.
“Of course,” continued Mr. Cant, “I’d need some time to make the vestry ready. If you keep my kitten for me until Lammas, I will pay two shillings for your trouble and the kitten’s care. I’ll come and fetch it from you then. Or, if you wish, you can deliver it, and earn a further four pence. Would that suit you?”
Lily could not speak, because her heart had grown too large and risen to her throat. Not only would the kitten’s sale bring welcome money she could give to Jean, but if he were to live now at the church, she knew he would be safe. She found her voice, and said, “Yes, Mr. Cant.”
They shook hands, solemnly, and Lily took the merk from him, and at his urging opened up the basket so that he could see the kitten, which immediately settled onto Captain Graeme’s lap, to Jamie’s great delight. And Robin, having seen the way for Mr. Cant to save his bishop on the chessboard, made the move himself, making a mirthful ending to the game, with Captain Graeme’s king his only piece remaining, stubbornly refusing to stand down.
But after dinner, as the captain walked her home, Lily was still confused about the way the chess game finished, so she asked him, “How could Mr. Cant win when he could not catch your king?”