Mine Is the Night_ A Novel - Liz Curtis Higgs [76]
“On the contrary,” the housekeeper said emphatically, “she embraces it.”
Elisabeth heard him shift in his chair.
“What else does Mrs. Kerr embrace, pray tell? Is she prone to drink? To gossip? To dally with menservants? To steal the silver from the cabinets? Or is she a devout woman?”
“Oh, very devout,” Mrs. Pringle said. “Sally Craig informs me that Mrs. Kerr prays before taking so much as a sip of tea or a bite of meat. More than once in our discussions she has quoted from the psalms, yet I do not think she does so to impress me.”
The housekeeper’s words gave Elisabeth pause. Is that true? Or do I secretly wish to gain the approval of others? At the moment she desperately needed Lord Buchanan’s approval. But if she was anything less than genuine, he would surely see through her.
Mrs. Pringle was saying, “It might be best if you spoke with the young woman yourself, milord.”
Elisabeth stood, wanting to be sure her knees would support her. ’Twould not do to stumble into his presence. When Mrs. Pringle appeared, not a word was exchanged as together they entered the sumptuously decorated room with its lofty ceilings, enormous glass chandelier, long windows facing south, and a massive mahogany dining table.
Once Elisabeth settled her gaze on Lord Jack Buchanan, the décor ceased to hold much interest. Though she’d glimpsed him earlier from a distance, now she could assess him properly. His brow was lined with a lifetime of experience, and his brown eyes shone with intelligence.
“Milord,” she said, then curtsied.
“Mrs. Kerr,” he said with a polite nod. “Roberts informs me you are a Highlander.” He quit there as if waiting for her to elaborate.
“I was born in Castleton of Braemar in Aberdeenshire,” she began, “the only daughter of Fiona and James Ferguson, a weaver.”
“And what of your Highland family now?”
“My father is dead, and so is my brother, Simon. My mother has … remarried.” Elisabeth hoped he would not require further details. Even speaking of Ben Cromar made her ill.
Instead, his lordship changed the subject. “Roberts said you came to Selkirk from Edinburgh.”
“From the age of eight-and-ten I was educated in the capital and worked as a seamstress for a tailor in the Lawnmarket.”
Lord Buchanan leaned back in his chair. “Might he provide a character for you?”
“Angus MacPherson is dead, milord. And so, I fear, is his son.” She looked down for a moment, composing herself.
“You buried your husband as well,” the admiral said.
“Alas, I never saw his grave. He was killed in battle. At Falkirk in January.”
Lord Buchanan straightened, his expression more alert. “Your husband was a soldier? And a Highlander as well?”
Elisabeth hesitated but only for a moment. Speak honestly. “He was a soldier, aye. But a Lowlander. ’Tis why my mother-in-law returned home to Selkirk.”
He gazed at her more intently. “And you came with her even though the Borderland is not your home?”
“She is the only family I have now.” Elisabeth spread her hands, searching for the right words. “As it happens, we share more than our name. We both trust the same God.”
He slowly rose, never taking his eyes off her. “Madam, everything else you have told me cannot hold a candle to that.”
Elisabeth looked up to meet his gaze. “Should you wish to read them, I have written characters from Michael Dalgliesh, a tailor in Selkirk, and from Reverend Brown.”
“Leave them with Mrs. Pringle if you like, though I’ve no need to see them.”
Elisabeth’s heart sank. Was he not interested in her services after all? “Milord, I truly need this position,” she pleaded.
His gaze did not waver. “And I need a dressmaker.”
Does he mean … Elisabeth moistened her lips, suddenly gone dry. Am I to be …
“Heaven knows,” he continued, “I brought enough cloth from London to dress half the county. At the moment I’d be satisfied to have all my maidservants arrayed as finely as my housekeeper.” When Mrs. Pringle bristled, he quickly amended his words. “Well, not quite so finely. Perhaps a simpler design might be best for the others. Shall we say … eighteen gowns in all,