Page 26 of Some Like It Scot
“Local?” Mrs. Lennox reached out to take the card as if it had leeches hanging from it. Truth be told, it did have a little blueberry smudge from the scone I ate at Mirren’s, but nothing worthy of dramatics.
I glanced around the room and caught my eye roll before it started. Dramatics was the theme of this experience. “Surely you realize thatone of the best ways to grow your business is through word of mouth?” I waved toward the room. “It’s why social media works so well. But local reputation carries a lot of weight too, especially for this type of business. If you don’t get the community behind you, then you’re really missing out on free marketing, as well as some local support.”
“But I don’tknowany of the locals, except the MacKerrows.” She brought the card closer to her face to read it. “It’s quite a small village though, isn’t it?”
“It’s big enough to spread the word about Craighill. Plus, the folks in Glenkirk will visit places like Tobermory and Inverness and other parts of Scotland.” I shrugged a shoulder. “You want the folks in the village to have good things to say about you so the word will keep spreading, don’t you?”
She studied the card and then looked back at my face, her brows dipping the teeniest bit before she gave her head a little shake and drew in a breath that straightened her posture. “We simply must do something about your attire, Miss Campbell, but now that you’re here, it’s time for introductions.” She waved her hand toward me. “And you’ll just have to make do as you are.”
Strange how the statement came with a weird mix of barb and freedom. Being who I was had rarely been good enough in Mom’s world of high class and higher expectations, especially after Sarah died. Distance helped.
My brain stumbled over the thought. I’d created distance from her for a long time. As soon as I was old enough to leave home. Death within a family hit hard enough, but even more so when the favorite child died. And measuring up to a perfect sister was hard enough when she lived. Measuring up to a memory was impossible.
“Come, Miss Campbell, let us meet the guests.” Mrs. Lennox gestured me forward, and all eyes turned toward my navy-raincoat, yellow-wellies, mussed-hair self.
Miss Adventure in the sitting room with a fishing pole.
Exactly what the story had been missing all along. I chuckled inwardly. Except maybe a butler. I hadn’t seen one of those, and a butler seemed necessary for any Clue-inspired daydream of mine.
Mrs. Lennox sashayed into the room, her smile sweeping the space and giving a bit of dramatic pause in her entry.
Ah! There was Mark, standing by a mounted elk on the wall and wearing some sort of vintage hunting pants, a white button-down, a vest, and a... noticeable glare.
At me. Which I didn’t deserve.Iwas the one who was almost hit by the bus in London while he kept kissing me! If I hadn’t pulled out of his iron-clasped hold when the bus blared its horn, my London misadventure may have been my last.
And no one wanted their last memory to be of a really bad kiss.
Even if it was in the rain.
“I am so pleased that you all could join Craighill for its very first Edwardian Experience.” Mrs. Lennox’s wrists twisted as if attached to the words. “Allow me to make introductions, and then we will discuss a few specifics.” She gestured toward Colonel Mustard, her smile broadening. “This is Alexander Wake, who will be referred to as Lord Wake while with us. In his modern life, you may know him as the owner of Wake Trust.”
My attention shot to the man. Wake Trust? Seriously? It was only one of the top marketing companies in Europe. How on earth did Lennox bag the owner of Wake Trust for her little costume drama?
“Lord Wake and my husband are dear friends, and he graciously offered his support for our little venture.”
Well, that answered the question.
“The esteemed Miss Ana Lennox, my daughter, as many of you know, will assist me in offering some of her thoughts on Edwardian times. She is quite the connoisseur of historical movies.”
“I’m fine if you’d prefer just to call me Ana. Especially as we become more acquainted.” Ana stood and focused her attention oneby one on each of the men in the room, giving her shoulders enough of a shrug to have the sheer golden shawl slip off one side to reveal her skin.
Hmm... subtle much? And then the thought hitched on the idea that Ana was the only child of the Lennoxes and, from what my servant Emily said, very wealthy.
Another reason to avoid going home. Mom always had some rich, uninteresting businessman with the glorious reputation of social status, dull personality, and high-maintenance mother for me to meet.
But I think Mrs. Lennox may have taken the wedding cake!
I shrugged a shoulder. Not sure what this said about me, but after the first few days here, the eccentricity of the choices of these people began to make more and more sense.
“Mr. Nigel Logan is well-known for his food blogs, articles, and weekly television show calledTastes Around the World.” Mrs. Lennox nodded to him. “Our chef is particularly delighted to have you experience his culinary masterpieces, Mr. Logan.”
Mr. Logan dipped his head, his pale gaze zipping from one person to the next, bouncing off Ana before landing on, or should I say,rising tome. To say he was unimpressed may have been an understatement. Which didn’t hurt my feelings. Especially since dancing with the man might require a stepping stool... for him.
“I do realize all of you need to use your modern devices for your work, butdo trynot to allow them to negatively impact your overall immersion into this era. Photos and videos are encouraged, but please refrain from interrupting the natural process of our historical journey here at Craighill. And though you all have signed waivers to allow for your images to be shared, please ensure your fellow participants are presented in the best light.” Her smile dipped into a delicate frown, as if she curated it for the speech. “We want everyone to experience the best of the Edwardian world with the fewest interruptions from the modern era or negative perspectives as possible.”
“The full experience will truly be delightful,” Ana Lennox added, her white teeth on full display for Mr. Logan.
“Next, we have Miss Estelle Dupont, known for her history articles and blogs.”
