“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.
