Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Edith relaxed in Aaron’s arms.
Dance after dance, she felt herself giving in to him a little more, finding comfort in the steadiness of his hands.
He drew her closer, and her heart fluttered slightly, her cheeks flushing in a way that was impossible to ignore.
For a while, she allowed herself to forget the reality of their situation.
Perhaps a life beside Aaron would not be as dreadful as she had imagined at the beginning of their arrangement.
Perhaps they could learn each other’s ways, growing fond of each other as Scarlett had of Robert.
Perhaps his hand on her waist would always be warm, and perhaps it would always cause her heart to flutter with feelings for which she lacked proper words.
Perhaps…
But today was the last day Aaron would ever hold her, and after today, she would leave Hallow Castle, never to return.
Her chest tightened painfully at the thought.
She looked around the lively courtyard, her vision blurring slightly before she blinked back her tears.
The music stopped, marking the end of yet another dance, and Aaron eased back just enough to look at her, his brows drawing together almost immediately.
“Are ye well?”
Edith swallowed, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment.
I am nae. But it wouldnae matter anyway.
“Aye,” she said with a small nod.
Aaron did not look convinced.
“Are ye certain?” He took her hand again, giving it the gentlest squeeze.
Edith stared at their joined hands in disbelief. Aaron had never done something so tender before. And so openly too.
“Aye,” she repeated softly. “I only need to rest me feet.”
It was only an excuse to leave the dance floor before another song began, but Aaron’s face fell slightly.
What has happened to him?
“Will ye join Scarlett?” he asked, gesturing toward the shaded seating area where Scarlett and Robert had settled.
Edith nodded absentmindedly.
Aaron did not release her hand. Instead, he guided her gently through the crowd toward the west side of the courtyard.
His hand settled on the small of her back once they reached Scarlett’s table, and she stiffened slightly, even though she was already accustomed to his touch.
“There ye are,” Scarlett said, brightening as Aaron guided Edith to an empty seat beside her. “I was beginnin’ to wonder if me braither intended to keep ye to himself for the entire festival.”
Aaron’s mouth twitched faintly. “I considered it.”
“Of course ye did.” Scarlett rolled her eyes, though her smile remained fond.
A brief look passed between the two, and Edith blinked, wondering for a moment if there was anything she’d missed.
Aaron lingered next to her for a moment longer than necessary, an unreadable expression on his face.
“Shall we try archery?” Robert suggested.
Only then did he move, nodding slightly before following him to the archery field nearby.
“Ye are blushing,” Scarlett noted after a long moment.
They had spent the last several minutes watching the game, but quite admittedly, Edith’s gaze had barely left Aaron.
“I am nae,” Edith said, forcing a straight face.
Scarlett laughed. “Ye cannae fool me, Edith. Ye are practically glowing.”
Edith fell quiet, forcing her gaze away from the archery field as though it would completely remove Aaron from her mind.
“Ye ken,” Scarlett said, leaning in close. “I daenae think I have ever seen me braither so attentive to anyone in his entire life.”
Edith swallowed.
Surely he isnae lookin’ at me.
“What do ye mean?”
“He hasnae stopped lookin’ in this direction since ye looked away,” Scarlett whispered, as though it were a secret. “Perhaps he might come back to the table soon.”
Edith felt her face heat up. She bit the inside of her cheek, as though it would somehow keep her from blushing again.
“Perhaps he is looking at ye,” she said quietly.
Scarlett shook her head. “Mm.” The sound was low and mischievous. “I daenae think me braither would look at me with those eyes,” she teased. “It would be improper.”
Edith’s breath caught. She gave in, following Scarlett’s gaze until her eyes fell on Aaron once again.
He was indeed looking at her. And even from a distance, she could feel the intensity of his gaze. Her mouth went dry.
Good heavens.
She lifted Scarlett’s cup to her lips, gulping down the ale faster than she needed to.
Laughter erupted from the archery field, and Scarlett’s eyes widened. Edith exhaled, grateful for the temporary distraction.
She traced the source of the laughter to Caelan. He had apparently missed his shot entirely, the arrow sailing wide as Violet passed by the field.
“Ye have ruined me focus, lass!” he called out, though his grin gave away how little he minded.
“I did nothin’ but walk past ye,” Violet protested, laughing.
“Aye, and that was more than enough.”
Scarlett laughed softly. She had also been watching the exchange. “He is utterly besotted.”
“She is too,” Edith said, smiling properly now. “I have never seen Violet so bold with anyone.”
“’Tis good for her,” Scarlett murmured. “She deserves someone who looks at her the way he does.”
They watched the game for a while longer, and an easy quiet settled between them until Scarlett spoke again.
“Edith,” she said, her tone thoughtful. Edith turned to face her properly. “I have been thinking about something, and I cannae help but ask.”
Edith’s chest tightened.
Surely it isnae about Aaron again.
She nodded slightly, and Scarlett scooted closer to her, her voice dropping low so that no one around could hear.
“Once ye leave for the Lowlands,” she said carefully, “do ye think ye will return? To visit, I mean.” She paused, looking away briefly. “I should like to see ye. Often, if I could.”
Edith’s breath hitched. She had spent every day since the fair thinking of it, even more than she thought of leaving Hallow.
But the thought of never seeing Scarlett again had been too painful to consider, and so she had pushed it to the back of her mind.
“I suppose…” she stammered, uncertainty evident in her tone. “It will be difficult to set foot in the Highlands. With a failed betrothal, these lands willnae be safe for a woman like me. With no protection and little money.”
Scarlett did not respond. She simply stared at Edith, her face falling into a more somber expression.
“I suppose I could disguise meself to see ye, once me healing practice is stable.” Edith bit her bottom lip. “But I can never return to Hallow, nae even as yer friend.”
Scarlett’s hands found hers under the table. “Me husband and I will protect ye,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “If ye ever—” She broke off and took a steadying breath. “If ye ever wish to visit the Highlands, ye should write to me.”
“Aye.” Edith’s voice wavered. “I am sorry, Scarlett. I never meant for this to—”
“Nay,” Scarlett interrupted, her grip tightening on her hand. “Daenae apologize. ‘Tis only…” she trailed off, her eyes glistening. “I have only just seen ye after being apart from ye for months. The thought of losin’ ye again so soon, perhaps for years—” She stopped.
Edith felt her own eyes sting in response. A tear formed on her bottom lid, threatening to spill over under the weight of everything she had been holding in all day.
“I need water,” she said abruptly, rising before the tear could fall in front of half the gathered clan. “I shall return shortly.”
She did not wait for Scarlett’s response. She did not look toward Aaron. She quickly walked away from the seating area, away from the music and the laughter, her vision blurring as she made her way to the quieter stretch of grass beyond the main grounds.
There was no well on this side of the estate, but it did not matter. She only needed to breathe. To gather herself away from prying eyes, and relieve the ache of the conversation she had not been ready to have.
Ye kent this would happen, Edith. Ye kent ye would have to leave them all behind.
She simply had not understood until this moment how much leaving would cost her.
It would have made no difference a month ago. Even if Aaron had chosen to marry Laird MacFaris’s daughter, she would have had to leave the Highlands.
Why then did it feel even harder now when it should be easier? Why then did freedom taste bitter on her tongue even with her skills and money?
She found a secluded area and rested against a wall, pursing her lips as she drew in a long, unsteady breath.
Then, she heard a sound in the distance.
No one should be here.
She opened her eyes, her gaze falling on two horsemen as they made their way into the estate through the abandoned gate near the bushes.
Her brows drew slightly together.
They were dressed for celebration, but something about their presence felt off, as though they were not meant to be anywhere near Hallow.
Why have they come in through those gates?
She looked more closely at the men. One was older, his bearing carrying the particular stillness of a man accustomed to being obeyed, and the younger one beside him shifted restlessly in his saddle, his gaze flicking nervously toward the festival grounds and back again.
She did not recognize their tartan. Something about the way the younger man looked around sent a chill through her, and her instincts screamed at her to leave.
She moved, albeit too quickly, and the older man’s gaze landed on her.