An Engrossing Victorian Scotland Novel - a Blog Tour and Book Excerpt for "Tailored Truths"

BOOK EXCERPT

At Jessie’s Wedding

Jessie plopped down beside her and linked arms, snuggling in to Margaret’s side. Jessie’s free hand slid appreciatively across the woollen material of her skirt.

“You look so elegant in that outfit.” Jessie’s enthusiasm was boundless. “Did you make it yourself?”

“Not quite, but I did refashion it to fit myself.” Margaret smiled conspiratorially. “It was a challenge since I’m a good bit taller that the original owner.”

Jessie chuckled. “I imagine that Mistress Baxton passed on what she regarded as something too old and worn for her to wear anymore?”

Margaret nudged Jessie’s shoulder, just like they used to do when growing up. “Exactly, except that she told me that the dark green would suit my auburn hair much better than it ever suited her and that it would be suitable for me to wear today.”

Jessie burrowed even closer and rested her head on Margaret’s shoulder, her expression comical when she locked their gazes. “Can you believe that I am eventually Mistress Barnes?”

Margaret patted Jessie’s fingers before she looked up at George. “I never doubted for one minute that this day would come. Congratulations to you both for I know for sure you will love being married to each other.”

Both George and Jessie smirked.

“Oh, Margaret.” Jessie turned to properly stare at her, her expression sobering. “Have you never met anyone yet who makes your heart sing?”

Margaret smirked back. “Don’t you think you’d have wormed that out of me if I had?”

George’s eyebrows rose a fraction before he coughed, too dramatic for it to be real. “I heard through the Dundee grapevine that a certain engineer who works for Mister Baxton was very enamoured of you.”

“What? I’ve never heard anything of that.” Jessie first slapped playfully at George’s leg then rubbed the spot in a fashion that made her new husband almost blush.

George lifted her hand away but held on to it. “That’s because I was told nothing came of it.”

“Well,” Jessie demanded. “Tell me all about it.”

Margaret laughed at her friend’s mock annoyance.

“He is handsome, I can say that, but not enough to make me want to walk out with him more than once. What George maybe doesn’t know is that very same young man also has a bit of a reputation for having a Don Juan attitude.”

The surprise on George’s face looked genuine.

“And that’s a polite version!” Margaret then changed the subject. “So, when are you two moving to Glasgow?”

“Tomorrow!”

There was a collective chortle after both George and Jessie spoke in tandem.

“We’ve rented a house not far from the Napier engineering yard and can move in tomorrow.” George looked so delighted with his statement.

Jessie added, “It’s actually an apartment in a tenement block with just the one bedroom, but it comes with the furnishings that we will need for a short stay.”

Margaret was confused. “But I thought your apprenticeship, or whatever you call the job, would be for a lot longer than that?”

George nodded, “It will be, if all goes according to plan. By then Mister Napier will help us find a more suitable place to stay since he knows the city better than I do.”

When George wandered off for a moment to talk to a cousin Jessie grasped Margaret’s hand. “Are you enjoying taking care of Marianne Baxton?”

Margaret’s amusement spilled over. “I am, and taking each day as it comes. It’s quite the job seeing to someone else’s needs in such detail.”

Jessie’s gaze was searching. “Are you finding her too demanding?”

A pat to Jessie’s hand was sufficiently reassuring. “Not at all. She’s easy to work for. I’m still finding it highly entertaining to point out possible clothes for her outings from her huge wardrobe choices.”

Jessie chuckled then plonked her palm over her lips, her eyes dancing. “Quite. Seeing as how you and I have such massive choices ourselves. But I’ve not heard you saying what the best part of the job is.”

Margaret’s nudge at Jessie’s elbow almost knocked her off the small couch. “You mean that someone else is doing my laundry again?”

“Exactly!” Jessie was giggling like fury. “I know that it’s your least liked task.”