Eva found herself laughing softly as Amelie fussed and hummed. For the first time in days, the tight knot in her chest eased. By the time Amelie stepped back at last, Eva’s reflection showed not just a bride-to-be, but a woman beginning to believe she belonged.
Eva stared at her reflection once more, hardly recognizing the woman who stared back at her. The braids framed her face with a softness she had never allowed herself, and her posture had straightened without her meaning to. For the first time, she did not see only a village girl hardened by work and worry. She saw the faint shape of a Lady, one who might yet stand at the head of Clan McLaren without bowing her spirit.
Her heart fluttered at the thought, fear and pride tangling together. She thought of her mother resting in comfort and of Jason laughing with sweets in his pockets, and she felt a steadiness settle in her bones.
“Perhaps I could do it,” she murmured to herself, scarcely daring to believe it. “Perhaps I could be enough.”
Amelie caught her quiet words in the mirror and smiled. “Ye look every bit a lady already, miss,” she said warmly. “All ye needed was a bit of polish to see what was there all along.”
Eva swallowed past the lump in her throat and nodded, unable to trust her voice.
“I never thought I’d see meself this way,” Eva admitted at last. She lifted her chin slightly, testing the sight of herself with new resolve. “But if this is the path I’ve chosen, I’ll walk it with me head held high.”
Amelie clapped her hands together, brisk and cheerful. “That’s the spirit, and now it’s time for tea,” she declared. “All this thinkin’ works up a thirst.” She turned toward the door with a grin. “Sit tight, miss, and I’ll fetch us somethin’ warm.”
Left alone, Eva rested her hands on the vanity and took one last look at herself. The girl in the glass did not look smaller than the castle around her anymore. She drew in a slow breath, steady and sure. By the time Amelie returned, Eva knew she would not be hiding again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Eva wandered along the garden path where the roses climbed the stone walls and bees hummed lazily in the afternoon sun. She let her fingers brush the leaves as she passed. Her thoughts strayed, as they often did of late, to Connor and the hope that she might glimpse him rounding a corner or striding through the grounds.
Foolish girl for wishin' such a notion.
She had just paused near a patch of lavender when a familiar voice piped up behind her.
“Eva,” Jason called, breathless with excitement, his dark hair sticking up every which way. She turned at once, her worry melting into a smile as she saw her brother scampering toward her with bright eyes.
“Jason, ye startled me,” she said, laughing softly as she crouched to his height.
“Will ye play with me, sister?” he asked, already hopping from foot to foot.
“Of course I will,” Eva replied without hesitation, warmth flooding her chest.
Jason darted toward a low hedge, pointing eagerly.
“There’s beetles there, I ken it,” he said with a grin.
“Aye, but daenae squash them,” Eva warned gently as she followed him.
“I wouldnae,” Jason protested, dropping to his knees to peer under the leaves.
They moved slowly along the garden, Jason squealing whenever something skittered past.
“Look, Eva, a red one,” he cried, cupping a ladybug in his hands.
“It’s a bonnie wee thing,” Eva said, peering close, “but best let it go.”
Jason nodded solemnly and opened his hands, watching it fly away in delight.
After a time, they settled on the grass, both a bit breathless and laughing.
“Do ye like livin’ here at the castle, then?” Eva asked, brushing dirt from his sleeve.
Jason’s face lit up at once.
“I like it very much,” he said, nodding hard. “The Laird is kind,” Jason added earnestly.
Eva blinked at that and leaned closer. “What do ye mean, Jason?” she asked, surprised.
