Edith huffed. “Lord St. Ambrose would be the first to tell you there is no one better suited for him. You must tell him. He deserves to make the choice for himself.”
“Iwilltell him, but I want us to be safely away from Aldmist Fell before I do. And I don’t know if I can keep my condition a secret for three more weeks. I must persuade him to take me back to London soon.” She returned to where Edith sat and knelt before her. “I know you love it here at the castle, but if you are planning to return with me, would you be willing to depart earlier? I’m desperate to leave this place.”
Edith’s heart dropped. She did love Aldmist Fell, and she would miss it and all the wonderful new friends she had begun to make. Nevertheless, Lavinia was her dearest friend. She had saved Edith’s life. How could she deny Lavinia anything?
Edith’s throat grew tight as she thought about leaving—of never again seeing Ismay, Mrs. McTaggart, or the entire McTaggart clan. And worse, never having another adventure with Mr. McTaggart, even if she had been very put out with him earlier.
Lavinia smiled sadly. “You do not have to answer now, and if you choose to stay, I will understand. Give it some thought first. Promise me.”
Lavinia might understand, but Edith would still feel she was disappointing her. Edith nodded. “I promise.”
Nine
Edith stayedwith Lavinia until it was time to dress for dinner. A cool cloth held to Lavinia’s eyes had reduced the swelling enough to where only those who knew her best would suspect her of crying. Edith fretted that Lord St. Ambrose would know the instant he saw her friend.
The man was uncommonly aware of everything about her. His discovery of Lavinia’s pregnancy could come at any time. Part of Edith wished it would happen sooner rather than later, because the marquess dearly loved Lavinia and would insist on making her his wife. Edith wouldn’t be opposed in the least to St. Ambrose using the pregnancy to trap Lavinia in marriage. Nevertheless, Edith would never betray her friend’s confidence.
As Edith entered her chambers, she discovered Mr. McTaggart’s sister laying an exquisite light blue gown across her bed. Ismay directed a wide smile in Edith’s direction. “There you are. I wondered where ye’d hied off to this late.” She waved Edith forward. “Weel, come on then. We havena much time.”
Edith did as Ismay commanded, even though she couldn’t fathom any reason her new friend was back to help her dress a second night. “Time for what exactly? And where did you find that gown?”
Ismay spun Edith around and began unfastening the back of her garment. “Lady Thorne insisted I choose any gown from her wardrobe. The blue will match yer eyes verra weel, and it is a bit more demure. I think it will suit you nicely.”
Ismay’s response didn’t answer Edith’s question, but she was tugging the day dress over Edith’s head before she could pose her question again.
“Milady bid me to wish you weel, and assure you no’ to concern yerself with missing dinner with yer clan.”
“They are not my clan,” Edith said before Ismay tossed the lovely silk gown over her head. “Lord and Lady Thorne are my employers. I am no different from you or any of the other servants at Aldmist Fell.”
The girl beamed. “You are no’ telling me anything I dinna already know. You are one of us through and through.” Having secured the gown, Ismay hurried her toward the dressing table. “I havena the time for anything elaborate with yer hair. My brother will be walking the floors as it is. No need ta stir up his nerves anymore than necessary.”
Ismay pushed her onto the bench in front of the dressing table and started removing pins from her hair.
Edith’s heart fluttered. “Mr. McTaggart is here? To see me?”
“Aye, yer dining with him this evening.” Ismay paused to meet Edith’s gaze in the looking glass. “If it pleases you, of course.”
“Yes,” she said on a breath.
Mr. McTaggart had come for her after all. Her stomach churned with uncertainty. If he offered marriage, she didn’t know how to answer. Besides the obvious obstacle of her age and inability to promise him children, she had Lavinia to consider now. Edith owed her friend everything, even though Lavinia would be the first person to insist Edith follow her heart.
Ismay was quick with Edith’s toilette just as she’d promised. “Have a look,” she said as she stepped back.
Edith couldn’t believe the transformation. Her blue eyes seemed more vibrant, and her hair was a lovely shade of silver weaved with strands of gold. Perhaps it was only the soft gold ribbon embroidery on the gown’s bodice creating the illusion with her hair, but Edith saw beauty she’d never realized existed. She blinked to curb her tears.
“Thank you, Ismay. You’ve worked a miracle tonight.”
“Pfft…” Ismay rolled her eyes. “I uncovered what was always there. I shouldna keep you. Fergus can get in a temper from time ta time, and I dinna like being the one responsible for his foul mood.”
Edith was intimately acquainted with Mr. McTaggart’s temper, but it caused her no concern. Nor did she believe for an instant his sister was worried.
Ismay escorted her below stairs to the servants’ dining room where the table had been set with pristine white linen and bone china ringed with deep red roses in full bloom. The silver and crystal sparkled in the candlelight. And standing on the other side of the table was a sight that made her belly quiver: Mr. McTaggart dressed in fitted gray trousers, a dark blue jacket, and his family’s red, blue, green, and yellow plaid pinned at his shoulder.
Ismay stepped forward. “Mr. McTaggart, may I present Mistress Edith Gallagher?”
His penetrating green gaze didn’t shift from Edith. “A pleasure, Mistress Gallagher.”
Ismay looked around the room, nodded in appreciation, and then left Edith alone with the handsome Scot. Edith remained frozen like a rabbit spotting danger as he circled the table and approached. Her heart beat frantically when he gently took her elbow and guided her toward a chair. It was all she could do to keep her legs beneath her before she collapsed on the seat.
