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We couldn’t possibly spare tih tojourney to Mount Helicon, but if Duncan could take the whisky down and sell it…I was already s to sell, at a Gathering Wool, cloth, tools, food, aniths of fresh ive alcohol to the Indians?" Brianna’s question pulled reedy reverie

"Why not?" Lindsey asked, a little disapproving of her intrusion "After all, we’re no going to give it to them, lass They’ve little silver, but they pay in hides--and they pay well"

Brianna glanced at me for support, then at Jamie

"But Indians don’t--I mean I’ve heard that they can’t handle alcohol"

All three ly, and Duncan looked at his cup, turning it round in his hand

"Handle it?"

The corner of her mouth quirked inward

"They get drunk easily, I mean"

Lindsey peered into his cup, then looked at her, rubbing a hand over the balding crown of his head

"Ye’ve a point, lass?" he said, more or less politely

Brianna’s full mouth compressed itself, then relaxed

"I e people to drink, who can’t stop drinking if they start" She looked at me, a little helplessly I shook my head

" ‘Alcoholic’ isn’t a noun yet," I said "It’s not a disease now--just weak character"

Jalanced up at her quizzically

"Well, I’ll tell ye, lass," he said, "I’ve seen many a drunkard in my day, but I’ve yet to see a bottle leap off a table and pour itself down anyone’s throat"

There were general grunts of agreee of subject

"Hodgepile? No, I’ve not seen the h I do believe I’ve heard the name" Duncan swilled the rest of his drink and set down his cup, wheezing gently "You’ll want ?"

Jamie nodded, and took another bannock "Aye, if ye will, Duncan"

Lizzie was bent over the fire, stirring the stew for supper I saw her shoulders tighten, but she was too shy to speak before so many men Brianna suffered no such inhibitions

"I have someone to ask after, too, Mr Innes" She leaned over the table toward him, eyes fixed on hier Wakefield? Please?"

"Och, indeed Indeed I will" Duncan went pink at the proximity of Brianna’s bosom, and in confusion drank down the rest of Kenny’s whisky "Is there aught else I can do?"

"Yes," I said, putting down a fresh cup in front of the disgruntled Lindsey "While you’re asking after Hodgepile and Bree’s young man, would you also ask for a man named Joseph Wemyss? He’ll be a bondsman" From the corner of my eye, I saw Lizzie’s thin shoulders slump in relief

Duncan nodded, his composure restored as Brianna disappeared into the pantry to fetch butter Kenny Lindsey looked after her, interested

"Bree? Is that the nahter?" he asked

"Yes," I said "Why?"

A slanced at Jahed, and buried the smile in his cup

"It’s a Scots word, Sassenach," Ja on his own face "A bree is a great disturbance"

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