Scotch Rising Read Online Free Page B

receipt of Whitehall’s letter regarding yer new post as Excise Collector. Welcome to the Highlands, Captain.” The other man nodded and gave me a wide grin.
    I doffed my cap in response to the warm greeting. “Thank you, I could not be sure if word of my arrival would reach the proper authorities. I was impatient to leave London, my business concluded.” In truth I needed to escape the confines of the overcrowded city and avoid Mr Wick. I picked up the pint the barman placed at my elbow and took a deep pull. The flavour of the ale was dark and rich, sharp and not unpleasant. I contemplated the liquid as I set the cup down.
    “A guid honest ale, made here in Markinch by the barman. I canna say I indulge often being the manager up at Deoch-an-Dorus.” I looked up at the other man in surprise. “I am afraid we were nae expecting someone tae replace the other lad so soon. We hae a cottage the distillery rents tae the Crown fur yer keep, trying tae get some of our coin back. ” The other man broke out into loud guffaws over his humour. “My name is Beathan Clunes.”
    Beathan’s enjoyment over his own joke brought several glances sliding my way, some turned back to the speaker, others outwardly stared. Marking each detail in my appearance, their scowls an indication of their feelings over my arrival in their village. I arranged my face into a study of boredom and stared straight back. I turned my head to look back at Beathan, my gaze falling upon the orator of the evening, staring back at me, mouth frowning in anger. I saw him look to Beathan and he shrugged in response. The other man lifted his arm and pointed directly at me. “Och, here is the gauger newly from London, and we hae Clunes making couthy with him. Nae respect fur the fact it’s our labour going intae those taxes.”
    Heads swivelled, eyes trained on my face. I was the focus of intense scrutiny by each man in the taproom. Weighing the other man’s words, searching my person for the truth of my crimes against them. I tried to remain a study in unconcern and brought the pint to my lips once again.
    “Logan, you’ve had yer say, Markinch, nae Deoch, does nae need any trouble from London. Too many jobs count on it, best ye and everyone else here this evening remember it.” Beathan looked steadily back at the crowd, with an extra nod at Logan, the rabble rouser.
    It appeared the instigator would not be set aside so lightly. He stepped through the silent men, who watched, waiting for a spectacle. Waiting for the other man to put firmly in my place. I had lived in the army for ten years, an institution perpetuated by bullying and submission. I stood my ground and hoped my look of mild curiosity stayed in place.
    “It is the new gauger, how ready Her Majesty is when there is coin tae be collected. Even all the way up here in the Highlands, taken from the pockets of honest folk. I should give ye a beating.” Logan’s final step placed him within arm’s reach, anger rolling off of him in waves. I could pin him in one move, the other man was the same size as me. He appeared to lack the decade of fighting experience.
    I stared directly into Logan’s eyes, raising my voice so the whole room could easily understand. “I am Captain Esmond Clyde-Dalton, returned from fighting in the New World and newly stationed in Markinch as the Excise Collector.” I emphasised the last two words. “As a representative of Her Majesty, I will fulfill my duty by any means necessary.”
    Logan frowned for several heartbeats, stunned by my aggressive approach. I thought this might be an end to it, until he produced a sly smile. Raising his hand, he pointed a finger at my chest, stopping an inch short of touching my frock coat. “I think ye better bide yerself, Captain, there’s many accidents can befall a man up here in the wilds.”
    “May I remind you, sir, an attack on Her Majesty’s soldiers is considered an attack on her person? Treason is punishable by hanging,