Edith had first heard the word when she was seven—the daughter of a new maid from the Lowlands. A lowborn girl. It was a label that had grown with her, following her about like a stain even into adulthood. A label she would never be able to get rid of.
For fifteen years, she had lived in the castle with Scarlett while Aaron fought wars for the clan. She had grown alongside hissister, lucky enough to be permitted lessons in etiquette, music, and court customs because Scarlett refused to attend without her. But even the kindness of her best friend could not erase the truth.
At every gathering and celebration, Edith remained painfully aware of where she stood. Too educated for the servants, and too common for the nobles. Never truly belonging among either.
And now, somehow, she was expected to stand before the clan as the future Lady Hallow.
She released a soft breath. She could feel the weight of their scrutiny as she walked toward Aaron in his sister’s dress. The gown clung to her in a way she was not used to, fitted, elegant, and too revealing of a body she had always kept hidden beneath layers.
It was perfectly tailored in the clan colors. Colors she had never been able to wear, even though Clan Hallow was all she knew.
She resisted the urge to tug at her sleeves, suddenly aware of every inch of exposed skin. Noble ladies were raised for this sort of attention. She had spent most of her life trying to avoid it.
She felt bare, like an imposter. But still, she walked, focusing all of her attention on Aaron.
His gaze slid over her like heat, impossible to ignore.
He had seen her before. He had seen her covered in mud beside Scarlett in the gardens, and he had seen her laughing in the corridors. He often looked at her as though she were an inconvenience Scarlett had dragged into his life against his will.
But now, standing before the entire clan, his gaze lingered on her with an intensity she did not understand.
Warmth crawled slowly beneath her skin despite the fear tightening her chest, but she quickly brushed it aside.
’Tis all an act.
Aaron moved the moment she reached him, taking her hand firmly in his as his green eyes locked onto hers. His hand settled on her waist before she could steady herself, and his lips brushed softly against her cheek.
It was a brief moment, proper enough for the hall watching them, and yet a shiver skittered down her spine.
He straightened then, leaning in just enough so only she could hear. “Ye’re doing well,” he murmured.
Her breath caught.
The murmurs around them immediately grew louder. Several councilmen seemed stunned, while others exchanged dark looks. One elder nearly dropped his tankard.
“The Laird has lost his senses,” one of the men muttered from the other end of the high table.
“Or perhaps the lass trapped him,” another whispered, though his voice was not low enough.
Edith kept her gaze ahead, but every word stung. She had heard worse things said about women like her before. A lowborn woman could only rise through deceit, seduction, or pity, never merit. Yet the whispers burned her deeper this time.
Perhaps Aaron would finally reconsider this madness.
Her eyes flickered briefly toward him, but he did not so much as glance toward the source of the murmurs.
“Smile,” he said quietly. “And stay by me side.”
Edith took a deep breath. She wanted to refuse him. To walk out of the hall and end this charade at once, consequences be damned. Instead, she found herself obeying before she could stop herself.
A small smile touched her lips, though her entire body was still tense beneath the weight of the watching eyes as she slid her hand into the crook of his waiting arm.
“Good,” he murmured quietly.
Then he guided her to the high table as though she had always belonged there.
CHAPTER FIVE
Aaron swallowed.
