“I kent it!” Marion yelped as she took the last bite of her sandwich. “I kent there was more happenin’ between ye two!”
Elspeth confessed the entirety of it then, the near-miss in the kitchen. “It is maddenin’, ladies. I despise him for his arrogance, for tryin’ to dictate me life, but then he does somethin’ kind, or he laughs, or he looks at me… and I feel things I shouldnae. I feel powerless.”
Verity reached across the table and took her hand. “It is complicated, my dear. But remember your goal. This competition, the children… it is all leading you to your freedom. Do not let anything, not even an impossibly handsome, infuriating duke, distract you from that. You must be true to yourself first and no one else.”
“I cannae say anythin’,” Marion said with a small laugh. “I have been in yer shoes with a formidable duke of me own. And look at me now!”
“You are not helping,” Verity huffed, pursing her lips, her gaze steady and unamused.
“Verity is right,” Marion conceded. “If ye are not good to yerself, ye are not good for anybody. Ye must forge yer own path. I have never kent anyone as unique, strong, and independent as ye. Daenae change that for anyone.”
They are right. I cannae allow meself to be influenced by Hugo any longer. I must stay true to meself and to me purpose. The lads depend on me, and through that, I will find me own source of freedom… Somehow, some way.
Elspeth squeezed her friends’ hands, a renewed sense of purpose settling over her. “Ye are right. I ken ye are right.”
“Naturally,” Verity said with a wink.
“This is about St. Jude’s, and it is about me future. Nothing else.”
Elspeth took a deep breath, the scent of fresh tea leaves filling her senses. She grabbed a cranberry scone and slathered a thick layer of clotted cream on it, then took a bite.
“Now, tell me, what have I missed while I have been covered in flour and surrounded by frogs?”
“I have been hearing quite a bit about Lady Paddlefoot’s ball for the Benefactress of the Year competition. I trust we will all be attending this week?” Verity asked.
“Unfortunately,” Elspeth replied, “I have been so focused on organizin’ me own event that I daenae ken what to wear.”
“I have just the gown, if you would like to wear it. I have only just bought it, but it is a bit too tight around the chest. You would look lovely in it,” Verity suggested. “And it is emerald green, of course.”
“Oh, well, at least that is settled.” Marion smiled. “No one looks grander in that shade than our Elspeth. Ye will be the belle of the ball.”
“One can only hope,” Elspeth said, dunking a scone into her tea. “Although somethin’ tells me that this willnae be as easy as ye are sayin’.”
“What do you mean, Elspeth?” Verity asked.
“I have been workin’ so hard to ingratiate meself with polite society, especially for this competition and even with the Dowager Duchess of Tarwood’s help, I fall short.” Elspeth shook her head.
“Ye will say nothin’ of the sort.” Marion poked her playfully in the ribs. “That is me formidable Highland lass!”
Elspeth shed her cloak in the foyer, the heavy silk a stark contrast to the lightness she felt.
The afternoon had been a whirlwind of polite conversation, subtle jabs, and unexpected camaraderie. Her friends, Verity and Marion, had been her pillars.
“Abby?” she called softly, her voice echoing in the quiet townhouse.
A moment later, her maid emerged from the back of the house, a half-empty basket of laundry in her arms.
“Back so soon, My Lady?” Abby asked, her voice soft and sweet. She set the basket down and took Elspeth’s cloak. “And looking brighter than I have seen you in a month! I will make sure that this is laundered, My Lady.”
Elspeth smiled, a tired but genuine curve of her lips. “Could ye fetch me a glass of warm milk, please? Me head is spinnin’ a bit.”
Abby nodded, already on her way to the kitchen. “Of course, My Lady. I will be but a moment!”
She returned with a tray bearing a glass of warm milk and a plate of biscuits, ushering Elspeth into the drawing room. She set it on a small table beside the couch as Elspeth sat down. After looking around to make sure Mrs. Whipple was not there, she sank into the chair opposite her with a small sigh.
Elspeth took a sip of the milk, letting its comforting warmth soothe her. “Ye ken, Abby, I am so very lucky to have them. Verity and Marion. I daenae ken what I would do without them.”
“You would find a way, My Lady. But I do agree. They are good ladies, from what you have shared. They have been such a comfort to you since… well, since you came here.”
