She had to rush home immediately. Unable to think, she ran across the room, dug into her trunks and tossed clothing onto the bed, trying to find something quick and easy to put on.
The door opened and closed back. "What is happening, m'lady?"
She turned to find Bernice in her dark servant's attire and white cap over wispy brown hair hurrying toward her. "I'm glad you're here. Help me dress. I must return home. Someone has broken into Darby Hall. Stillman was hurt and my valuables stolen."
"Oh, good heavens!" Bernice bounced into action and helped her with the corset.
"Quickly. I don't have time to take my things. I wish you to remain here and pack. I'll send the coach back for you and my belongings in a couple of days."
With jerky movements, Bernice tied her petticoats. "As you wish, m'lady."
"And please, don't tell the others where I've gone or why. I don't want to disrupt the earl and countess's gathering." Elspeth had only just met Rebbie and Calla, after all. They wouldn't want to get involved in her predicament.
"But what about Lady Kerrimuir?" Bernice fumbled over the bodice buttons.
"Tell her… I went home because there's a problem with my shop."
"Very well."
Elspeth hated to lie, but she didn't want to disrupt everyone's lives. Rose, in particular, would be annoyed that she hadn't told her what was going on. But Elspeth was an independent woman, capable of taking care of things on her own. She would call in the local healer, Mistress Almsly, for her guard, if Morrison hadn't already. Elspeth would then figure out who had broken in and work on reclaiming her jewelry.
Her clothing in place, she told Bernice, "Have Vance prepare the team and coach, then tell Jenkins I need him to guard. I must leave forthwith."
"Aye, m'lady." Her maid rushed from the room.
Elspeth gathered the things she would need, threw on her blue woolen cloak and pulled the cowl over her head. After closing the door softly behind her, she slipped down the corridor, not wishing to wake the late-sleeping aristocrats. As she crept along, she realized she did not fit in such an elegant castle, mixing with the wealthiest nobles in Scotland, like Rebbinglen and his father. To the marquess, she was probably little more than a servant. Although the MacKenzie brothers had been friendly and accepting of her… mayhap too friendly, considering Fraser's attempted advances. She regretted she would not get to say goodbye to them, but 'haps 'twas for the best.
Slipping through the great hall with its many gleaming wood tables and lush, colorful tapestries, she met Bernice.
"The coach is being prepared, m'lady."
"Good. Remember what I told you about what to tell Lady Kerrimuir. And I will either return in a few days or send the coach for you and my belongings.
The maid curtsied. "As you wish, m'lady. And please have a care."
"Indeed." Elspeth opened the front door and dashed out into the bailey. Clouds gathered thickly in the overcast sky. She hoped it would not rain before she reached home.
She arrived at the coach where Vance worked diligently on the horses. "Please hurry, Vance. Someone has broken into Darby Hall and Stillman was injured."
"Aye, m'lady." Vance bowed, then raised his bushy silver brows. "'Twill only be a few more minutes."
Her guard, Jenkins, a tall stout man wearing leather armor, greeted her and opened the coach door. After climbing in, she sat on the leather bench seat.
She was grateful her son had not been home during the break-in. No doubt even at ten summers, Adam would've tried to fight off the intruders. He was such a wee man.
Though she missed him terribly, she was glad he was away, safe at boarding school. 'Haps she would travel to St. Andrews very soon for a visit. She was so proud of him and his accomplishments.
Though Greymont was a small, modest castle and estate as compared to the illustrious Castle Rebbinglen, she was satisfied with what her son would have when he came of age.
The pressing question now was who could've broken into her manor house? A random stranger or a highwayman?
She didn't generally wear expensive jewelry, except on special occasions like this gathering, but it was the same as money to her. If, God forbid, she or her son ever ran low on funds, she could sell some of the jewels. But now, part of her safety and security was gone. Had the thieves found and stolen everything she'd left there? How on earth had they gotten past all the guards and over the walls? She would get to the bottom of it even if she had to hire an investigator.
Vance opened the coach door and poked his grizzled head inside. "We're ready to depart now, m'lady."
"Very good. Please drive as fast as you safely can. I must get home immediately."
"As you wish." He quickly bowed and closed the door.
