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. “Ifye 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.
