Page 26 of Ghost of the Ton

“Best not to find out, ma’am.”

Mia nodded, then followed the maidservant to a staircase that spiraled upward to another passageway. Elspeth opened the door at the end, leading into a room decorated in a similar fashion to Eilidh’s living quarters. Two maidservants were tending to the bed, plumping the pillows and smoothing over a thick plaid blanket, and in the hearth, a fire crackled and spat.

“That’s enough, girls,” Elspeth said. “Her Ladyship wishes to take her rest.”

The maids turned and Mia recognized the pretty young girl who’d declared such a strong aversion to her earlier.

“Close yer mouth, Ailsa,” Elspeth said sharply, “or Mrs. Bron will hear of it.”

Mumbling, the maids curtsied, then slipped out of the chamber, whispering.

“And none of yer chatter!” Elspeth said.

The whispering stopped and the maids’ footsteps faded into the distance.

“Let’s get ye settled,” Elspeth said, eyeing Mia’s valise. “Shall I unpack yer belongings? Or perhaps ye’ve a trunk that’s arriving later?”

Mia lowered her gaze to her valise. “This is all I have.”

The maid nodded, sympathy in her eyes, then she spoke more brightly. “Well! I always say that when entering a new home, it’s best to make a fresh start with new things. We can run up a gown or two for ye. Some of the finest wool in the Highlands, we have here, which will keep the cold out. I daresay ye’re not used to the cold, being from London.”

She chattered on, ushering Mia toward a chair beside the fireplace, then she tossed two logs on the fire and poked at it.

“That’ll keep ye warm, and I’ll come back later to check it’s still alight for ye.”

“I can tend to the fire, Elspeth,” Mia said. “But thank you for your kindness.”

“Och, it’s not kindness when it’s a pleasure, is it, lass?” the woman said, smiling. “And dinnae ye take notice of anything Master Hamish says. He has his da’s temper, all right, but there’s no malice with it. Now—I daresay ye’re hungry. I’ll bring up a bite of supper.”

“Please don’t trouble yourself on my account,” Mia said.

“It’s no trouble. There’s plenty going, what with the wedding feast having been—” Elspeth broke off. “No matter. I can bring ye a bite of venison and some tatties, then I’ll leave ye in peace and tend to ye in the morning. Would ye like that?”

Mia nodded. The fatigue she’d kept at bay threatened to overwhelm her, and she lowered herself into a seat and held out her hands to the fire, letting the warmth soak into her palms.

“Yes, Elspeth, I’d like that very much,” she said quietly.

The older woman placed a light hand on Mia’s shoulder and gave her an affectionate pat. “Good lass,” she said. “And may I be so bold as to welcome ye to Glenblath and wish ye joy?”

Mia caught her breath to stem the swell of sorrow, and managed to thank Elspeth in a tight voice. The maid curtsied, then slipped out of the chamber, closing the door softly behind her.

When the footsteps had faded into the distance, leaving only the faint ripple of the breeze flowing around the castle, Mia leaned forward, placed her head in her hands, and surrendered to the tears.

Chapter Nine

“Sit down, son.”

Hamish’s mother gestured to the seat that…she had just vacated.

He folded his arms and shook his head.

“I said, sit down, God damn ye!”

He startled as his mother slammed her hand on the table and leaped to her feet. The teacups rattled and one toppled over. Hamish darted forward to catch it, but it fell to the floor.

His mother let out a groan and sank into her seat, eyes squeezed shut, forehead wrinkled.

“Are ye in pain, Ma?”