“I actually have some friends coming over today. Within the hour, in fact,” Elspeth replied pleasantly. “They really are quite lovely.”
James nodded, which in his current form looked very much like a shrug, in order to show he was listening. As Elspeth scooped him up in her hands and placed him on her shoulder, she continued. “Eilidh, Morag, and Caitir are a grand trio of girls. I’m sure you’d like to meet them?”
James could tell by the smooth but sharp directness in that last part that he didn’t have a choice. He nodded, again looking like he was shrugging, as he balanced his fat little body on Elspeth’s shoulder. “I’d love too, Mistress. What do you need me to do for you before they arrive?”
James wasn’t sure where that last bit of servile enthusiasm came from, but Elspeth was clearly pleased by it. “Hmmm….. now that you mention it, you could do one thing for the four of us.”
James felt a lifetime pass between what she had said and what his answer had been, nervous as to what it might be. Was Elspeth going to continue her trend of kindness, or did she have something more wicked in mind now?