Nothing to be concerned about?What a load of tosh. That first dinner was everything and more of what Winnifred had worried about. It was silly to fret about the proper silverware etiquette, or whether the fashionable Lady Teodora Eirlie found her diverting, not when their neighbors were hungry. But aside from that disastrous dinner at the Abercairn’s, this was her first public performance as marchioness. Nerves got the better of her regardless of the stern lectures she delivered to herself.
She glanced mournfully at the door to the drawing room. The ladies of the party were gathered after dinner, sipping their drinks and sighing with boredom. Only three parties had arrived that day, and Winnifred eagerly anticipated more guests on the morrow. More people for her guests to converse among themselves with would surely make her task as hostess easier. Enliven the house party. If it weren’t for Deidre now, there would be no conversation at all.
Clearly, the art of conversation was a skill she needed to practice. Winnifred tapped her finger against her glass and searched her mind for an interesting topic to discuss. Travel to Kenmore (tedious and dreary), the weather this summer (infernally bad), the price of lace, all this had been discussed.
Deirdre stepped into the breach once more. “The neckline on your gown is most becoming, Lady Abercairn. Is that the latest fashion in London?”
The woman kept her gaze on the ceiling. “Paris. We were there just last month. London is becoming a positive backwoods by comparison.” She arched a delicate brow and looked down at Deirdre. “Though I guess by comparison it would seem an Eden to you.”
Winnifred’s spine snapped straight. “I take it Glasgow isn’t to your liking then? How fortunate that a girl from the Lowlands was able to find herself a diplomat as a husband. The travel his position affords must be gratifying.”
While Sin had been next to useless in imparting theon ditabout their guests, her mother-in-law had been more helpful. Lady Abercairn had been born the youngest daughter of an obscure baronet. While nothing to scoff at, the position was nothing to the pretentions the woman now held. And insulting Deirdre warranted the woman receiving her just due.
Lady Abercairn’s cheeks flushed pink, and Winnifred felt a stab of satisfaction. It felt good to bare her own fangs. Whilst she didn’t want to become a viper herself, perhaps she could succeed at being a viper tamer.
Lady Eirlie snorted delicately. “Ifind Scotland to be a beautiful country, and Glasgow as cosmopolitan as Madrid.” The woman’s lyrical accent made the words sound sweet, even while her glance at Lady Abercairn was cutting. According to Deirdre, these two were rivals to be the grand dame of Scottish society. Even though Lady Eirlie was of Spanish origin and had only late arrived in Scotland with her new husband, she seemed to be the preferred style-leader. The countess turned to Winnifred. “Have you seen much of your new homeland? Do you not think it lovely?”
“Indeed.” Striking, harsh, and wild, but lovely all the same. “And while Glasgow is beautiful, my Eden is here in the country.” She shot her mother-in-law a small smile. “There’s much more space for plants to grow.”
“Oh, are you a botanist like the dowager marchioness?” Lady Margaret asked. The Earl of Brandon and his two children had been the third party to arrive that day, and while the son, Dr. Masson left her with a gnawing pit in her stomach when they met, Lady Margaret was nothing but sweet and friendly. She scooted to the edge of her seat. “Her gardens are always so beautiful. At least in the years where there is sunlight.”
Deirdre gave the girl a wide smile. “Thank ye, dear. This summer has been hard on my garden, but that is nothing to what our farmers are facing. Fortunately for us, the new marchioness is a bit of a natural philosopher with an interest in agriculture. We are hopeful that her new ideas will help our crops.”
Lady Abercairn lowered her wine glass. “A natural philosopher?” She tittered. “Why, Dunkeld is just full of surprises with his new bride. And we thought his marrying a Sassenach was scandalous enough.”
Winnifred forced her hand to relax its grip on her glass. “I’d have thought, being as worldly as you are, that an English wife wouldn’t have been shocking to you or your husband. It was my understanding that Lord Abercairn is a supporter of the union. Surely that would extend to more intimate unions, as well.” She observed the woman acutely. Was Lord Abercairn as open with his wife concerning his affairs as Sin was with her? If Abercairn was trying to stir up a rebellion, surely his wife would have some inklings.
Lady Abercairn drew her shoulders back. “Despite our worldliness, my husband is a patriot.” She titled her nose at Lady Eirlie. “We were both born and raised here, and Scotland will always be our first love.” She swallowed the last of her wine. “Abercairn was most surprised when he heard of Lord Dunkeld’s marriage to an Englishwoman, but the rushed nature of the wedding explained his decision. A Scotsman is nothing if not honorable.”
Deirdre sucked in a breath, and Winnifred’s cheeks burned. Her shame made no logical sense. She knew her and Sin’s behavior in that cellar had been innocent. What cared she for what others thought? She swallowed. Illogical or not, embarrassment had her staring at the floor nonetheless.
“The banns were read.” Deirdre set her glass down and gripped her hands together, looking as though she’d rather be wringing the other woman’s neck. “There was nothing improper or rushed about it.”
Lady Eirlie swung her head back to Lady Abercairn, like a spectator in a tennis match. Lady Margaret stared at her skirts, looking like she wanted to be anywhere else but in that room.
Winnifred knew the feeling.
“And I didn’t mean to imply anything improper, I’m sure.” Lady Abercairn’s smile was all teeth. “I’m sure our new marchioness would never have been caught alone with a man, especially one such as Dunkeld. It would have been too unseemly.”
Winnifred narrowed her eyes, any insult to herself forgotten. “And what do you mean by that? If I was to be found with any man, why wouldn’t it have been with Dunkeld?” There was nothing unseemly about Sin. Just because he dressed rougher than a marquess should, didn’t have a sweet tongue ready to compliment, by no means reflected a flaw on his character. “My husband is the best of men. I consider myself fortunate that I was caught in a cellar with him.”
Lady Eirlie tittered into her handkerchief, and Winnifred realized her error. “Not that I intended to be caught with any man.” She cleared her throat. “It was an unintended event.”
Deirdre sighed. “Ye are only making it worse, dear. Perhaps we should change the subject.”
“Oh, but I find the topic of how to capture a marquess fascinating.” Lady Abercairn dipped her index finger in the remains of her drink and sucked on the tip. “Finally, a woman who admits her cunning in landing a titled man. It was an impressive capture on your part, Lady Dunkeld. A marked step up in your circumstances, as I understand it. And it only cost you your reputation.”
Winnifred gritted her teeth. She wouldn’t let this woman provoke her. She. Would. Not.
“If I recall, your marriage was won under similar circumstances.” Lady Eirlie settled back in her chair and crossed her ankles. “Wasn’t there talk of your father running Lord Abercairn through if he refused to wed you?”
Lady Abercairn shrugged. “Not nearly as impressive a feat. Abercairn could hardly dishonor the daughter of a baronet who use to be his clan’s chieftain. But I was proud of my efforts.”
“That sounds so mercenary,” Lady Margaret said, her voice shocked. “What about marrying for love?”
The other two women caught each other’s eye and chuckled. “Only an unmarried woman could indulge such fancies.” Lady Abercairn flicked out her fan and cooled her face. “Your father will marry you off to the man most useful to his purpose. That is the way of the world. And if you want to reserve any part of it for yourself, you need to think strategically.”
“Here, here.” Lady Eirlie tapped her ring against her empty glass.
