“Pardon me,” she whispered as she walked around Valerie’s room, curious to study each and every piece of belonging that would clue her in on the sort of person her twin sister was.
Still, she was hesitant to touch anything, wondering if having someone use her things would upset Valerie.
Isobel walked to the vanity, staring down at an open jewelry box that contained pretty, dainty pieces that sparkled even under thedim light, and when she glanced up at the mirror, the face that stared back at her looked almost unfamiliar.
It was almost ironic that she had imagined that finding out more about her birth parents, the family she had come from, would give her a stronger sense of self. And instead, she was about to tuck away her own personality and take on that of her twin sister.
Isobel firmly believed that one’s family shaped who a person was.
As such, for the longest time, she had felt incomplete, not because she particularly desired more out of her childhood or upbringing. Her family, the ones who had named and loved her all her life, had given more than she could ever wish for. But she had hoped to know more about her roots, to understand who she might have become, if things had been different.
Ultimately, she hoped that she would succeed at her objective and return to the quiet life she had set out to lead.
Finally, she was able to change into her night gown and slip beneath the covers of her sister’s bed, a sweet and floral scent overwhelming her senses instantly. Although the bed was quite soft, Isobel felt restless, her mind filled with thoughts of what lay ahead of her.
“Ten days,” she told herself quietly. “Once I am done, I can put this situation behind me.”
Isobel squeezed her eyes shut and willed herself to sleep, knowing she would need all her strength for what was to come.
CHAPTER THREE
It had been rather shocking, waking up to an unfamiliar ceiling.
Isobel had stared at it for a moment, then she sat up, her mind spinning as she glanced around at the equally unfamiliar room. Another minute of staring and wondering had passed before she finally recalled where she was and why.
Now that the sun was up, she could clearly see where she was, and the cozy impression she had gotten of her sister’s private chambers had grown. She could easily tell that Valerie favored the colors pink and lime green, as her bedding, furniture, and even her curtains carried those colors.
As Isobel wandered about, doing her best to embody what she imagined was her twin sister’s personality as she got dressed for the day, she imagined that they might have shared a room if they had gotten to grow up together.
Perhaps they would have shared everything, from clothes, friends, and likes. Perhaps Isobel might have spent less time feeling as though she was missing a piece of herself.
At some point, she realized that she was stalling and claimed under her breath,
“This needs to be perfect. I need to be perfect, or it will be quite obvious that I am nothing like her.”
She brushed her hair gently, taming her usually unruly locks and restraining them neatly into a braid with a pink bow at the tip. Reluctantly, she put on a light green dress, a little stunned by how it managed to bring out her eyes.
The sight of them reminded her of Fergus, and she whispered,
“I’m scared, Papa. But I know you would want me to do the right thing. Please give me strength. And watch over me.”
Isobel felt nervous as her preparations came to an end. It was less because she had to walk around in someone else’s shoes – quite literally and figuratively – but more so because there was someone within these walls who was after her sister’s life.
Eventually, she worked up enough courage to leave the sanctity of her temporary room, instinctively heading down the hall in the direction she had come from the night before. She peered around a corner carefully, catching sight of two women laughingtogether as they walked to the stairs, descending as they continued to chatter eagerly.
Slowly, she trailed after them, trying to seem as inconspicuous as possible, and soon arrived at what she surmised was the dining hall. Inhaling deeply, she stepped through the doors, stopping in her tracks almost immediately when she noticed there were many more people than she had expected to see, all of whom were currently facing her direction.
“Valerie! How are you?”
“Good morning, dear, do you still feel ill?”
“Do you need anything? Anything at all?”
“Are you well enough to join us this morning? We would not mind if you wish to take some time for yourself. As the bride-to-be, your well-being comes first.”
Isobel blinked, a little surprised by the onslaught of concern, her body stiffening as she reminded herself that the culprit could be any one of these people who were acting so concerned for her well-being.
“I –” she cleared her throat, hoping to God that not a hint of her Scottish tongue would reflect in her words. “I am well, thank you. I greatly appreciate the concern, but I assure you all, I am feeling much better now.”
