He sneered. "Are you running a brothel back there?"
"Of course not! You've overstayed your welcome. Please see yourself out." She pointed toward the door.
He gave a nasty laugh. "I know about you and the Earl of Dalacroy."
"That is none of your business." Ignoring the searing mortification washing over her, Elspeth wanted to punch the asinine man in his smug mouth.
She'd had little choice in the matter of becoming Dalacroy's mistress after her husband had died, leaving her in debt without even two pence to buy bread. Thanks to Dalacroy, she now had her independence. 'Twas either that or live destitute on the streets with her young son and siblings. Now, as then, she would do anything for her family.
"Everyone kens he was dimwitted, chasing after every skirt in the kingdom, then getting himself killed in a sword duel."
Regardless of Dalacroy's intelligence, or lack thereof, she would have nothing without the deal they'd struck years ago. "As I said, the building is not for sale. You're wasting your time here." Gritting her teeth, Elspeth glared at Thorndyke, eye to eye, willing him to leave.
The shop door opened with a squeak. Elspeth was relieved to find her friend Rose Forbes, the Countess of Kerrimuir, entering. A deep blue traveling cloak covered most of the elegant gold gown Elspeth had designed for Rose, and her dark curls were upswept.
Turning to see who had arrived, Thorndyke gasped, then bowed deeply. "My lady."
To Elspeth's surprise and profound relief, he hastened out the door. "Do you know Thorndyke?"
Rose grimaced as she might when noticing sewage in the gutter. "He's a solicitor for some of the lairds. My late husband used his services on occasion. What did he want?"
"He was trying to buy my building and being very insulting about it." Annoyance again prickled at her nerve endings.
"For himself or one of his clients?"
"I have no inkling. Why would an aristocrat be interested in owning a business?"
"Maybe he's short on money." Rose shrugged. "I wouldn't concern myself. Are you ready to leave? I want to arrive at Castle Rebbinglen by tomorrow evening. I've arranged for us to spend tonight at an inn."
I've changed my mind about going, Elspeth almost said, her chest tightening. She was hesitant about rubbing elbows with the loftier aristocrats, in truth, for they intimidated her. Even though she was the widow of a baron, they would look down on her as a merchant's daughter… and current merchant. If they ever learned she was the former mistress of an earl, she would no doubt be tossed out on her ear. But she needed to meet some of the ladies, and hopefully gain them as customers, if she wanted her clothing business revenue to increase. They might also have need of new slippers and boots.
"I suppose I'm ready," Elspeth forced herself to say. "But I'm only staying four days. I must return here by Monday morning."
Rose blew out a breath. "You like naught better than work, do you? I'm certain Audrey can handle your customers for a few days. 'Tis time for relaxation. We'll travel together in my coach and our maids will ride in yours. That way, we will have the privacy to talk. Where are your trunks? My manservants will load them."
"They're already on my coach. Vance and Jenkins loaded them. They're waiting outside in the close, along with Bernice."
The night before, Elspeth had packed the two trunks with beautiful gowns she would wear to the festivities. She had recently designed them and her best seamstresses had sewn them. Surely the Countess of Rebbinglen would be intrigued by her creations and wish some for herself.
After Elspeth gave Audrey a few final instructions, she and Rose exited.
Clothing design was her greatest passion, for 'twas in her blood. And now she must do something very difficult if she wished her beloved business to survive—mingle with countesses, earls, and 'haps even a marquess. What if she slipped up and bungled the whole thing?
∞∞∞
The following afternoon, Elspeth's stomach knotted all the more as she stared out the coach window, stunned at the magnificence of Castle Rebbinglen in the distance, the Cairngorm mountains standing tall behind it. The elegant rounded towers were capped by turrets with sharp, conical roofs. The MacInnis standard flew from the highest spire. 'Twas the grandest castle she had ever seen.
"I shouldn't have come." Elspeth clasped her gloved, sweating hands together.
"Why ever not?" Sitting on the brown leather seat opposite her, Rose frowned.
"The Earl and Countess of Rebbinglen didn't invite me. I feel like an interloper."
"Nonsense." Rose waved a hand. "Rebbie said it would be wonderful if I brought my good friend to their Midsummer celebration."
Elspeth could not imagine calling the Earl of Rebbinglen by his nickname. "Do you truly call the earl Rebbie?"
"Of course." Rose chuckled. "He insists upon it. Even though he is not my cousin by blood, because he and Lily have different mothers, he still considers me a cousin. Have no worries. He will ask you to call him Rebbie as well."
