“Suggested?” She slowly spun to face him. “Why do I have a feeling your suggestion resembled a demand?”
“I cannae say, lass. Perhaps you’re a touch too ready to label me a ne’er-do-well?”
She frowned. “That isn’t true. At least, you have never impressed me as one.”
“Aye, now we have the truth. I’ve never impressed you.” He laughed as he scooped Gracie from the chair and carried her to the table. “Enough quarreling. I’m famished.”
Mistress Gallagher remained standing even after he retrieved three plates and cups and joined Miss Gracie at the table. After piling food on his and the little lassie’s plates, they dove in without waiting. Eventually, Mistress Gallagher pulled out a chair across from him and sank into it.
“I wasn’t quarreling,” she muttered. “And you have impressed me once or twice.”
“Och. I havenae even been trying to impress you, lass. Now that I know it’s possible, prepare to be amazed.” When he winked, she responded with a smile.
Chapter Six
Edith stood before the washstand in her chambers, scrubbing the stubborn chocolate stain that had set into Mr. McTaggart’s shirt. Earlier that morning, when Gracie had tipped over her mug at Mr. McTaggart’s table and splattered the front of the garment, Edith insisted on bringing it back to Aldmist Fell to clean.
“I do my own wash, lass,” he had argued, but while he was readying the sleigh to bring them back to the castle, she had shoved the shirt into the picnic hamper and carried it inside Aldmist Fell before he could stop her.
“Stubborn Scot,” she grumbled to herself.
Holding up the shirt to check her progress, rivulets of water ran off it and splashed into the basin. From the worn places in the fabric, it was clear his method of doing laundry probably involved the stream outside his house and pounding his clothes against a rock. It was fortuitous he planned to find a wife once she and the Thornes returned to England. Mr. McTaggart needed one.
A hurried knock sounded at her door, but before she could respond, it flew open, and Gracie bounded into the room. “They’ve arrived. Lavinia and Pearl are here.”
Forgetting her manners, Edith squealed with delight and dropped the shirt into the basin. She dried her hands on a cloth, then bustled from the room to greet her dear friend.
Gracie raced her down the curved staircase, their slippers making a pitter-patter sound against the stone.
“Helena took them to the drawing room,” Gracie said.
“And Lord St. Ambrose and Mr. Mason?”
“They went off with Sebastian.”
It was just like Lord Thorne to orchestrate a private moment for his wife and her sisters. He was a good man.
Gracie linked arms with her as they crossed the foyer. “I think the men are in the billiards room. Do you want to greet them first?”
Edith shook her head. It had been months since she’d seen Lavinia, and although she held nothing but gratitude for Lord St. Ambrose, she didn’t share a close connection with him.
Her friend spotted her the moment she crossed the threshold and shot from her chair to meet her. “Edith!” They embraced, holding on to each other for a moment. When they drew apart, Lavinia’s smile stretched across her pretty face.
“Your hair is down, and you’ve discarded the spectacles. How lovely you are. I think Scotland agrees with you.”
Edith scrunched her nose. “It is beautiful, but it isn’t home.”
“Please, don’t tell me you miss the soot and noise. I’ll never believe you.” Lavinia’s blond brows arched slightly. “Why, if you never returned to London, I would not be surprised.”
“Hmm.” Edith offered a bland smile. It seemed Lady Thorne had been bending Lavinia’s ear.
Once she and Lavinia were alone, she’d set her straight on the matter of Mr. McTaggart and remaining at Aldmist Fell. She had made a promise to watch over Gracie, and she wouldn’t abandon her young charge for any reason, especially not for a man. Surely, Lavinia knew her better.
Lavinia turned toward the modestly dressed young woman seated beside Lady Thorne. “Pearl, come meet my dear friend, Edith.”
Edith held up a hand as Lavinia’s younger sister scooted to the edge of the settee. “No, please don’t rise on my account. You must be fatigued from your journey.”
Pearl stood anyway, coming forward with a bright smile on her cherubic face while Gracie scrambled to take her vacant spot on the settee.
