The Highlander Is All That (Untamed Highlanders #4)(55)

It was patently obvious some of the esteemed visitors didn’t believe a word, especially when Sally Albright looked pointedly around the room and asked, “And where are your Scotsmen, may I ask?”

Esmeralda set her lips together and frowned at her. A thinking woman would have left the room. Sally was not that wise.

“Well?”

Victoria smiled sweetly and refilled Sally’s teacup. “Oh, they asked not to attend morning calls anymore,” she said.

“Why ever not?” Sally said, tittering to Belinda Battersby.

“They find the company . . . banal,” Esmeralda murmured.

“I think they said vulgar,” Victoria corrected her.

Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. “I believe the word brash was bandied about.”

Sally paled. “I say . . .” she sputtered.

Lady Callinda’s chins quivered. “They’re Scotsmen,” she said in an outraged whisper.

Esmeralda smiled coldly. “Yes. They are aware of that.”

“It’s been difficult for them, don’t you know.” Elizabeth leaned in. “Coming down a step. Socially.”

Victoria took a sip of her tea. “I think they’ve done well, though.”

“They’ve been very patient.” Esmeralda nodded.

“Quite.”

Oh. It was fun watching these vipers squirm.

And now that they were all utterly ruined, it didn’t matter in the least what these creatures thought. Elizabeth found the prospect quite freeing.

What a pity they all came to their feet, stiltedly made their farewells, and left.

As the door closed on their persons, Victoria sighed. “And here I was just warming up.”

“I wasn’t,” Esmeralda said. “I’m boiling.”

Victoria patted her hand. “No doubt that is the change.”

To which her aunt scowled.

“Let’s hope we don’t have any more visitors,” Elizabeth offered in an attempt to turn the topic.

“I shall tell Henley to take down the knocker.” But before she could ring the bell, Henley scratched on the door once more.

Esmeralda growled, Victoria sighed, and Elizabeth flinched. There was no one she really wanted to see.

But when Henley announced the Duchess of Moncrieff, they had to admit her. For one thing, she was a duchess. For another, she was nice.

It was, in fact, a pleasure having her. She swept into the room and gathered Esmeralda into a hug. “I heard,” she said. “I thought you could use some support.”

“Mary and Anne have gone to Kent to visit an ailing relative,” Victoria announced.

Kaitlin glanced at her. “Of course they have, and may I say I do hope dear . . .” She glanced at Esmeralda. “Who is ill?”

“Um . . . Aunt Hortense.”

“Of course. I do hope dear Hortense feels better soon.”

“She will probably die,” Elizabeth muttered, and the others pretended they didn’t hear. It hardly signified. Hortense was a wraith as it was.

“I hope you don’t mind. I brought Helena, Countess of Darlington, and Eleanor, Lady Pennington.” She ushered the others forward.

“Of course not. Come in. Come in,” Esmeralda said with a hint of relief in her tone. With this company, and the standing of the duchess, any newcomers would, perforce, make their regrets and leave. “Henley! More tea!” she called as Henley wheeled in a fresh tray.

Tea with the duchess and her friends was lovely. There were no awkward conversations or sly looks and—given the circumstances—there was a fair amount of laughter.

Elizabeth reflected again how very much she liked these women.

She had just settled in for the afternoon, relieved to not have to carry a conversation, when a ruckus sounded in the foyer.

“Oh dear,” Esmeralda said . . . just as the door burst open and Twiggenberry, with Henley on his heels, barged into the room.

“I will not be turned away. I shall see Elizabeth and I shall see her now.”

He stopped short as he took in the company and had the good manners to pale. “I . . . ah . . . beg your pardon, Your Grace.” He bowed. “I’ve just come to see my betrothed.”

The duchess tipped up her chin, just ever so slightly, and looked down her nose at Twiggenberry, which, considering the fact she was in a seated position, was a feat.

She pulled it off beautifully.

“Lord Twiggenberry. We are having tea.”

Elizabeth shuddered. She probably should take notes. She’d never realized a voice so beautiful could be so . . . terrifying.

“I am sorry, Your Grace. I need to speak to Elizabeth for just a moment in private. May I?”

The duchess stared at him.

He shifted from one foot to the other.

“May I?”

“You may not.”

Elizabeth could have hugged her. It must be wonderful having so much power.

Twiggenberry gaped at her and then sputtered, “I must insist.”

The temperature in the room dropped noticeably. “Must you?”

Realizing he was not getting what he desired, he turned his attention. “Elizabeth, I heard about your sister.”

Victoria smiled, widely. “Mary and Anne have gone to Kent to visit an ailing relative.”