doorway.
'Criminals, if you ask me, every one of them,' he muttered.
Taylor was in full agreement with his pronouncement. 'You were ready to pounce on them, weren't you, Thomas?'
The servant smiled. 'Cecil would box my ears if I were to lower myself to their station,' Thomas remarked. 'If I am to follow in his footsteps, I must refrain from boorish behavior. A butler must always maintain his dignity, milady.'
'Yes, of course,' Taylor agreed. 'How is our Cecil doing? I sent him a note just last week, but I haven't heard a reply yet. Should I be worrying?'
'No, you shouldn't be worrying about Cecil. As old as he is, he's still as tough as leather. He rallied from his sickbed to say his farewell to Lady Esther. Your grandmother already pensioned him. Did you know that? She set him up as grand as can be, Lady Taylor. Cecil won't be wanting for anything the rest of his days.'
'He was Madam's loyal butler for almost thirty years,' Taylor reminded the servant. 'He should have received a handsome pension. What about you, Tom? What will you do? I doubt Uncle Malcolm will let you stay on here.'
'I've already been given an assignment by your grandmother. She wants me to look after her brother, Andrew. It means moving to the Highlands, but that doesn't matter. I would go around the world to please Lady Esther. She set aside a parcel of land and a monthly allowance for me, but I'd wager you already knew about that. It was your idea, wasn't it? You have always looked out for Tom, you have. Even though I'm your elder.'
Taylor smiled. It had been her idea, but she was certain Madam would have come up with the notion if she hadn't been so busy with other matters.
'My elder, Tom?' she teased. 'You're barely two years older than I am.'
'I'm still older,' he countered. 'Here, let me take your wrap. I'm pleased to see you're wearing white just as your grandmother requested. It's a lovely dress, and if I may be so bold as to add, you're looking ever so much better today.'
Thomas was immediately sorry he'd added the compliment, for he didn't want to remind her of their last encounter. Not that Taylor would ever forget, of course. Still, it wasn't gentlemanly to bring up the humiliation.
She did look better though. No one had seen her since that afternoon six weeks ago when her grandmother had taken her into the salon to give her the news about her fiance. Thomas had stood sentry inside the room with his back pressed against the doorknob so no one would dare intrude. He saw how devastated Taylor was by the announcement. To her credit, she neither wept nor carried on. Such behavior wouldn't have been appropriate for a lady. She'd kept her expression contained, but the proof of the injury done to her was evident all the same. Her hand shook as though with tremor as she nervously brushed her hair back over her shoulder, and her complexion turned as white as fresh snow. Her blue eyes, such fair, enchanting blue eyes, completely lost their sparkle, as did her voice when her grandmother at last finished reading the foul letter she had received and Taylor responded, 'Thank you for telling me, Madam. I know it was difficult for you.'
'I believe you should leave London for a spell, Taylor, until this little scandal blows over. Uncle Andrew will be happy for your company.'
'As you wish, Madam.'
Taylor excused herself a moment later. She went up to her bedroom, helped pack her own bags, and left for her grandmother's estate in Scotland less than an hour later.
Lady Esther hadn't been idle during her granddaughter's absence. She'd spent her time with her solicitors.
'Your grandmother is going to be happy to see you, Lady Taylor,' Thomas announced. 'Since she received the mysterious letter the other day, she's been in such a fretful state of mind. I believe she's counting on you to know what's to be done.'
The worry in his voice was quite pronounced. He noticed the name cards she was clutching in her hand, deposited them in the waste receptacle, and then followed her across the foyer to the staircase leading upstairs.
'How is she, Thomas? Has there been any improvement?'
The servant took hold of her hand and patted it with affection. He could hear the fear in her voice. He wanted to lie to her but didn't dare. She deserved the truth.
'She's failing, milady. There won't be a reprieve this time. You must say your good-bye to her now. She's most anxious to get everything settled. We can't continue to let her fret, now can we?'
Taylor shook her head. 'No, of course not.'
Tears filled her eyes. She tried to will them away. It would upset her grandmother if she saw her weep, and crying wouldn't change what was happening anyway.
'You aren't having second thoughts about your grandmother's grand plans for you, are you, Lady Taylor? If she believed she had truly coerced you into…' Thomas didn't finish voicing his concern.
Taylor forced a smile and said, 'I'm not having second thoughts. You should know by now that I would go to any length to please my grandmother. She wants all the loose ends tied up before she dies, and since I happen to be the last of her loose ends, it has become my responsibility to help her. There will be no getting around that duty, Thomas.'
A burst of laughter came from the salon. The sound jarred Taylor. She turned toward the noise, then spotted two strangers garbed in black attire lounging in the back of the hallway adjacent to the stairs. Both men, she noticed, held champagne flutes in their hands. She suddenly realized the house was packed with guests.
'What are all these people doing here?'
'They're getting ready to celebrate with your uncle Malcolm and your cousin, Jane,' Thomas told her. He added a nod when Taylor looked so infuriated, then hastily added, 'Your uncle invited a few friends…'
Taylor wouldn't let him finish his explanation. 'The vile man doesn't have a single redeeming quality, does he?'
The anger in her voice inflamed his own. 'It appears not, milady. Your father, God rest his soul, seems to have inherited all the good qualities, while your uncle Malcolm and his offspring…' Thomas paused to let out a weary sigh. He noticed that Taylor was about to pull open the salon doors and hastily shook his head. 'Both Malcolm and Jane are inside, milady. If they spot you, there's bound to be a scene. I know you want to chase everyone out, but you really don't have the time. Your grandmother is waiting.'
Taylor knew he was right. Her grandmother came first. She hurried back across the foyer, took hold of Thomas's arm, and started up the steps.
When they reached the landing, Taylor turned to the servant again. 'What does the physician say about Madam's condition? Isn't it possible she could surprise all of us once again? She could get better, couldn't she?'
Thomas shook his head. 'Sir Elliott believes it's only a matter of time now,' he told her. 'Lady Esther's heart has simply worn out. Elliott's the one who notified your uncle Malcolm, and that is why everyone has gathered here today. Your grandmother was fit to be tied when she found out, and I do believe Elliott's ears are still ringing from the tongue-lashing she gave him. It's a wonder his own heart didn't quit beating then and there.'
The picture of her grandmother berating such a giant of a man like Elliott made Taylor smile. 'Madam is an amazing woman, isn't she?'
'My, yes,' Thomas replied. 'She has the ability to make grown men shiver with fear. I had to remind myself I wasn't afraid of her.'
'You were never afraid of her,' Taylor scoffed at the notion.
Thomas grinned. 'You wouldn't let me be afraid. Do you remember? You told me all about Madam's bluster while you were dragging me home with you.'
Taylor nodded. 'I remember. Madam didn't raise her voice when she berated Elliott, did she?'
'Good heavens, no,' Thomas replied. 'She's a lady, first and always,' he boasted. 'Elliott flinched as though she were shouting. You should have seen his expression when she threatened not to leave him any money for his new laboratory.'
Taylor started down the long corridor with Thomas at her side. 'Is Sir Elliott with Madam now?'
'No. He stayed the night through and only just left to get a change of clothing. He should be back in an hour or so. That gives us sufficient time. Your grandmother's guests are in the parlor adjacent to her chambers. She
