Veronica moved to the chair beside the window, composed herself, and gestured to the bed.
“Come and sit here, Elspeth, and tell me what happened. Slowly, please.”
Elspeth sat on the edge of the bed, dangling her feet, watching them for a moment before she spoke.
“About an hour ago, Your Ladyship, I was bringing your newly laundered dresses back. That stain on the front of the blue stripe came out, you’ll be happy to know.”
She nodded, trying to be patient. “Someone was in my room?”
“Yes, Your Ladyship. One of your cousins, I believe. She was going through your armoire. She said she was looking for something you sent her for, that I was to leave the room immediately.”
“I take it you disagreed,” she said, feeling warmth for Elspeth’s loyalty.
Elspeth nodded. “I refused to leave, Your Ladyship. She finally did, saying she’d see me dismissed before nightfall.”
She was shocked to see tears in Elspeth’s eyes.
“I didn’t send anyone for anything, Elspeth,” she said, standing. “I don’t know what my cousin was doing here, but it wasn’t at my behest.” Although she already knew, she asked the question anyway. “Who was it?”
“I believe it was Miss Amanda.”
She placed her hand on Elspeth’s shoulder. “Thank you, Elspeth. You did exactly what you should have done. There’ll be no repercussions.”
“I’m not dismissed, then?”
“Indeed, no,” she said. “In fact, I shall visit with Mrs. Brody to see if you and Robbie could get an extra half day for your loyalty.”
“Your Ladyship, I don’t know what to say.” Tears clung to her lashes, but Elspeth’s smile reminded her of times when the sun came out in the middle of a storm.
Veronica opened the drawer at the bottom of one of her armoires and checked the lockbox. All her father’s money was still there. That was not the only valuable item in the suite, however. She walked to her bureau, pulled out the bottom drawer, and stared at the empty space.
The Tulloch Sgàthán was gone.
Chapter 23
Montgomery looked up as Edmund entered the distillery. He didn’t stop what he was doing, intent on putting away his work so he could make himself presentable and join Veronica and her family.
Edmund, no doubt, had another dozen or so papers for him to sign or decisions to make, none of which interested him in the least.
“Your Lordship,” his solicitor said, coming to stand in front of the worktable.
He inserted the tool into the leather sleeve before placing both hands flat on the wooden surface of the table.
“What is it now, Edmund? Give the servants a raise, order more provisions for Cook, hire a dozen more maids. Better yet, see my wife about the domestic duties.”
“You would give Her Ladyship authority, sir?”
Edmund looked so stunned Montgomery almost smiled.
“Indeed I would. My sister-in-law managed my home in Virginia quite ably. Without my being involved, I might add.”
Edmund nodded as if the thought had some merit, but he still didn’t move.
“You’re not here for a domestic concern, is that it? What is it? Something gone wrong with the looms in France, the sheep, the mines?”
“You have many interests, Your Lordship,” Edmund said stiffly.
He glanced at the man. “I realize that, Edmund, and I’m suitably grateful. I’m just not interested in their day-to-day operation.”
