to the door. “Thank ye for all yer kind hospitality, sister, and welcome to the family.”
Sorcha turned and hugged her. “I feel so blessed to have been gifted with two more sisters.”
Catriona hugged her back, then patted her arm. “And when ye meet Gretna, ye shall love her, too.” She gave a teasing wink. “Try not to weary yerself overmuch with the feasting preparations. Ye’re still a newlywed, and both Mercy and myself know how the MacCoinnich men can be. After a braw evening of food and drink, Sutherland will need the warmth and comfort only his wife can provide.”
“I shall bear that in mind,” Sorcha assured as she closed the door behind her. She turned to the maid. “Ye say Mrs. Breckenridge needs me? Whatever for?”
The maid shook her head. “I dinna ken, m’lady, but she’s fit to be tied. I’ve never seen her so upset. She’s a waitin’ for ye at the bottom of the stair. I’m off to freshen the water in all the pitchers on this floor.”
“Thank ye, lass.” Sorcha didn’t blame the girl for not wishing to return to Mrs. Breckenridge. If the woman was as upset as reported, something dire had to have happened.
As soon as the servant was out of sight, Jenny poked her in the arm. “See?” she chided. “I told ye they’d be nice and would like ye just fine.”
“That ye did.” With meeting Sutherland’s kin no longer a worry, Sorcha tried to envision what in the world could’ve gone wrong with the feast preparations. “I canna imagine what Mrs. Breckenridge needs. The woman fairly ran me out of the kitchens earlier, telling me all was done and managed, and I didna need to worry about a thing. And the maid said she was distraught. Can ye ever remember seeing Mrs. Breckenridge in such a state?”
“I’m sure the whole thing just grew with the maid’s telling of it. Ye ken how that can be. Like Catriona said. One thing or another always comes up. It canna be anything serious.” Jenny followed close on her heels.
As soon as they reached the main floor, Mrs. Breckenridge blustered over to them, more shaken than Sorcha had ever seen her. “Oh, dear, m’lady, oh, dear. Things have gone awry, and I fear ’tis all my fault. Please, can ye ever forgive me?”
“Mrs. Breckenridge, what on earth is it?” Sorcha caught the woman’s icy hands in her own, concerned about her pallor. “It canna be all that bad, now can it?”
“Aye, it is, m’lady. Badder than bad, it is.” The older woman heaved out a great sigh and pulled a hand away to press it to her chest. “I canna find the key to Himself’s own whisky cave, and every single decanter at the back of the chief’s table has been completely emptied. I dinna understand it. I checked them all myself earlier today, and each of them had been filled neat and tidy to their brims and corked tight.” The fretting housekeeper wrung her hands, completely inconsolable over failing her chief and Sorcha. “This canna be happening. Not today when Himself wishes to toast yer new life with only the finest of his whiskies. I canna imagine what’s become of it.”
“Now, now,” Sorcha soothed as she gently turned the woman toward the stair leading to the cellars. “Ye know there’s not a lock in this entire keep that can stand against me.” She turned aside and winked at Jenny, then gave Mrs. Breckenridge her full attention. “Choose a lad to send down for one of the untapped casks. Jenny and I’ll gather up an armload of extra bottles in the meantime. Once all the drink is set, just be sure and block the door to protect Da’s favorite stock.” She laughed as she gave the housekeeper a quick hug. “Once I force the lock, it may not lock again, and we canna let a drop of Da’s good stuff go missing, now, can we?”
“Oh, m’lady, I am so verra sorry to have failed ye and father so. Can ye ever forgive me?” Devoted Mrs. Breckenridge looked on the verge of tears.
Sorcha didn’t think she could stand it if the poor old soul broke down and cried. “All is well, and there is nothing to forgive. Off with ye now. Run and send a lad down for a cask while I see to the door, aye?”
Mrs. Breckenridge nodded. “Thank ye, m’lady.” She turned and headed off to the kitchens.
“God bless her,” Jenny said. “I dinna think