Page 25 of Ghost of the Ton

“Ye wouldnae dare!”

“Oh, wouldnae I? What would ye prefer—a bloody good leathering or a pockmarked husband? I—” The voice broke off, then resumed. “What the devil do ye want, Elspeth?”

“I’ve been seeing to Her Ladyship’s chamber,” a third voice said, “so she might take her rest.”

“Is my mother ill?”

“I-I meant yer wife.”

The door opened, and a red-faced Elspeth appeared. Then she stepped aside to reveal Mia’s husband standing beside a girl who couldn’t be much more than sixteen years of age, with brilliant green eyes set in a face framed by flame-red hair tumbling about her shoulders.

Mia picked up her valise, then rose to her feet. The world blurred before her and she blinked to clear the moisture from her eyes, then met her husband’s gaze. A flicker of shame shadowed his expression before he turned his attention on his mother, who was rising more slowly from her chair.

“Ma,” he said, “I didnae realize ye were”—he hesitated—“that ye had company.”

“I gathered that, son,” Eilidh replied, frost in her tone.

“Ma, I…” His voice trailed off as Eilidh raised her hand. Then she turned to the maidservant.

“Elspeth, is the guest chamber ready?”

“Aye, ma’am,” Elspeth replied. “It’s ready for Lady MacLennan.”

Hamish flinched, and his forehead creased into a frown. His eyes seemed to darken, their expression hard and unyielding, barely concealing a flicker of fury.

“I-I…” Mia began, then her throat caught as his expression intensified. “I mean, I’ll…”

“There’s no need to say anything, my dear,” Eilidh said. “Elspeth, please show my daughter-in-law to her chamber. I’d like a word with my son.”

The young girl let out a snort, which turned into a squeal as Hamish gave her a sharp nudge.

“That’s enough of that, Iona MacLennan,” Eilidh said. “As for ye, Hamish: ye may be laird, but that disnae give ye permission to behave in such an uncivil manner, particularly toward the woman who’s yer—”

“Dinnae say it, Ma,” Hamish growled, and Mia tightened her grip on her valise.

“I’ll say it, lad, because it’s true,” Eilidh said. “Ye’re letting the clan down with yer behavior. Would ye have yer wife think so badly of us on the day she arrives?”

He opened his mouth to reply.

“No, son. Dinnae speak. I doubt there’s anything ye can say that will give this lass a more favorable opinion of ye. Like it or not, she’s yer wife.”

The girl let out another snort. “Like it or not! He definitely does not like.”

“That’s enough, daughter,” Eilidh said. “Take yerself to the kitchens and tell Mrs. McBride that ye’re to scrub the dirty pans. I’ll come along later to check up on ye, so no trying to get out of it.”

“But Ma…” the girl whined.

“Either that or ye scrub the chamber pots for a week. Be off with ye before I change my mind and have ye do both tasks.”

The girl colored and Mia caught a gleam of moisture in her eyes. Then she nodded, her lower lip wobbling, before mumbling, “Yes, Ma,” then disappearing.

“Come with me, ma’am,” Elspeth said, holding her hand out. Mia approached the doorway, her stomach knotting as she drew near her husband. He fixed his clear, hard gaze on her and she held her breath, awaiting further insults. But he merely inclined his head then stepped aside to make room.

As Mia exited the chamber, the door closed and almost immediately she heard raised voices.

“Come with me, lass,” Elspeth said. “There’s naught to be gained from hearing what others have to say about us behind closed doors.”

“What else can he have to say that would insult me more than he already has?” Mia said.