Elspeth doubted that.
"You need to venture out into society more. I ken how lonely and isolated you've been since Adam went to boarding school."
"I do miss him." Her son was ten summers but exceptionally mature for his age. The last time she'd visited with him, he was a couple of inches taller and behaved like a confident young man. She had not wanted to send him off to school, but he was already a baron. Before she knew it, he would be old enough to run his own estate.
As for society… Elspeth shrugged. 'Twas a way of life for her as she drifted between social stations. Men didn't like that she was an independent lady and business owner. Some women saw her as a threat, while others wanted to be like her. No one, except Rose, knew or cared what she'd been through, what had forced her to be strong enough to survive, and now to support herself.
She had been friends with Rose since her first visit to the dress shop. They were both widows around the same age and shared many interests. Although Rose was a countess, she treated Elspeth as an equal and didn't look down on her for her less than ideal past.
"We already decided you need more aristocratic ladies as customers," Rose reminded her. "Most of them have no inkling your shop exists."
"Aye, but I cannot tell them I'm a dressmaker and wish them to be patrons of my shop. 'Twould be the height of rudeness."
"There is no need to mention it. If one of the ladies asks where your exquisite gown was made, you simply tell her your own seamstress created it at your shop in Aberdeen. And by the way, I am drooling over that gown. I'm going to order one just like it."
"Indeed?" Glancing down at her emerald green gown, Elspeth grinned, thrilled as always when anyone complimented a dress she'd designed.
"A different color, perhaps. The green is a perfect contrast for your ginger hair, but I think deep wine red would suit me."
Feeling inspired at the images flitting through her head, Elspeth nodded with enthusiasm. "'Twould be beautiful with your dark hair."
"We saw none like them in Paris last year. You have a unique gift."
"I appreciate your kind words." Elspeth had gone with Rose and their servants to Paris the year before. While there, she had met a wonderful new supplier of cloth and patterns.
"I hope you brought several of your designs to wear, as I did. Once Calla sees the styles you create, she will order a dozen."
Hope and anticipation surged within Elspeth. She already knew that Calla was the countess, the Earl of Rebbinglen's wife. "Do you truly think so?"
"Of course. She only had a bairn a short while ago. She will be wanting a new wardrobe soon. Rebbie's good friends, Chief and Lady MacKay, have also been invited. And then there is Lily. Her father is trying his hardest to find a suitable husband for her. She'll need a wedding gown and an entire new wardrobe to take to her new home."
Excitement buzzed like a hive of honeybees through Elspeth's veins. She could already imagine the elaborate silk gowns these wealthy ladies would require, and she was eager to design them. "Who is Lady Lily going to marry?"
"Thus far, she has not met a man to her liking. The marquess insists that she marry an earl or better."
"'Tis wonderful that he allows her to approve the man. I certainly didn't have that privilege when I married Grey."
"Nor did I," Rose muttered. "Neither of us would've chosen husbands old enough to be our fathers."
"Or grandfather."
"Aye, I forgot Grey was in his fifties."
"And I was sixteen summers. Just a naïve child, really."
Rose shook her head. "I wish we had known each other back then. We could've commiserated over our gruesome wedding nights."
Elspeth nodded, glad she no longer had to allow any man into her bed. "I'm thrilled to be done with that duty."
"Well, 'haps one day you will discover bedsport is not meant to be gruesome nor a duty." Her friend sent her a mischievous grin.
"Ha, doubtful."
Rose appeared sly of a sudden.
Realization dawning, Elspeth felt her mouth drop open. "Is that why you're attending this gathering?"
Rose shrugged. "You never know when you will meet an attractive man. By the way, a new earl will be at the gathering. The family is hoping he will measure up to Lily's expectations. And I've been told he's bringing a couple of his brothers."
"A new earl?"
"Aye, he is newly titled. The Earl of Stornmor. A Highlander and a friend of Rebbie. He is also the brother of Lady MacKay."
So many important people she had lost count. Her stomach felt even queasier than before. "Good heavens. What if they find out about my connection to Dalacroy?"
"No one knows, and I'm certainly not telling them."
Gossip might have already reached them. 'Twas the ladies she worried most about. They might fear she would steal one of their husbands. But she had no interest in husbands, her own or anyone else's. She wished to steer clear of men, especially powerful, titled ones who might try to control her life or take away her properties or her independence.
