Andrew bowed again, more deeply this time. “Aye, miss, I’m glad to see it so.”
The hall fell quiet as James unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning it once before he began to read aloud. “It has come to me attention that me daughter is being housed at Calibroch Castle,” he said, his voice carrying clearly.
Eloise clasped her hands tightly before her, bracing herself as he continued.
“Rumors of a betrothal to Laird MacAllister has reached us, but nay assurance this is true. I demand that correspondence be made, or return me daughter immediately.”
Eloise let out a quiet breath, her shoulders lowering slightly. “This is me fault,” she said softly, her gaze dropping for a moment.
James folded the letter carefully, his expression unreadable as he looked toward her.
“I should have sent word,” she added, a note of regret slipping through.
He turned his attention back to Andrew. “Ye’ll remain here tonight,” he said, his tone firm and controlled. “Ye’ll be fed and given rest, and on the morrow ye’ll return with a letter from Miss Eloise and one from meself declaring our betrothal to be true.”
Andrew nodded at once, relief evident in his posture. “Thank ye, me Laird, that is most generous.”
Eloise glanced between them, the weight of what must be written settling heavily upon her.
“I’ll write it tonight,” she said quietly, though her voice held resolve beneath the strain.
Andrew stepped back then, allowing space, though his concern lingered in his eyes. “It’s good to see ye safe, miss,” he said gently.
Eloise managed a faint smile in return. “And it’s good to see a familiar face,” she answered, though her thoughts were alreadyturning to the letter she must now write, and the truth she could not fully tell, and the lie she would have to give her family.
Eloise sat at the small table by the window, the candlelight flickering as dusk settled beyond the glass. The quill felt heavier than it should in her hand, as though each word carried more weight than ink alone. She hesitated only a moment before pressing it to parchment, her breath steadying as she began.
Dearest Father,
I pray this letter finds ye in good health and spirits. I must first beg yer forgiveness for the distress I have caused by leaving so suddenly and without word. It was wrong of me to flee as I did, and I regret the worry I have no doubt placed upon the family. Yet I wish to assure ye that I am safe, and more than that, I am under the protection of one of the most powerful lairds in all the Highlands. I am now betrothed to James, Laird MacAllister, and it is by me own will that I remain here at Castle Calibroch. I ask that ye trust in this decision, though it may come as a surprise.
In time, when the date is set, I shall write again and extend to ye a proper invitation to attend the wedding. It would bring me comfort to have me family here, and to see that all is as it should be. Until then, I ask for yer patience and yer understanding, though I ken I have done little to earn it of late.
I remain, as ever, yer daughter, with affection and duty.
Eloise
She stared at the page a moment longer. With careful hands, she folded the parchment and pressed the seal into place, watching as it cooled and hardened.
“There,” she murmured softly, though the word felt hollow. This was what she had chosen, or what she had been forced to choose, and now the world beyond these walls would believe it as truth.
She leaned back slightly, her fingers lingering against the edge of the table. “It feels too real,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.
Her gaze drifted toward the window, the darkening sky pressing in, and unease crept sharp and sudden into her thoughts.
If word has reached me father, then it would reach him as well.
“Drummond…” she breathed, her stomach dropping at the name. The reality struck her all at once, cold and unyielding.
“God help me,” she whispered. “Will he come for me?”
The thought alone was enough to set her moving, her pulse quickening as she gathered her cloak and slipped from the chamber.
James’s study door stood closed, but she did not hesitate, knocking once before pushing it open. He looked up at once, surprise flickering briefly across his face before it settled into something more controlled.
“Entering without waitin'?” he said.
Eloise stepped inside, her expression tight with urgency. “I’ve written the letter,” she said quickly, holding it up slightly. “But that’s nae why I’m here.”
