Page 76 of A Virgin for the Stone Highlander
Edith rolled her eyes. “Aye, it isnae. But it is me wish as yer lady, and ye cannae object.” She patted the chair again. “Now, sit. Ye have made me beautiful, and I cannae have ye going to the fair looking like that.”
Violet obeyed, settling slowly into the chair.
Edith got to work at once. She divided her hair with practiced ease, her fingers moving gently through the strands. It was a good way to keep her mind from drifting to Aaron, and she was grateful that Violet had not refused her.
She glanced at the mirror, catching a smile on the lass’s face.
“Why are ye smilin’?” The question slipped past her lips.
Violet straightened at once, attempting to hide the smile a moment too late. “I am nae smilin’.”
“Aye,” Edith said, tugging lightly on her hair as she braided it. “I ken what I saw with me own eyes, and it was a smile.”
Violet pressed her lips together. “It is the braids, me Lady.” The lie was obvious before she had even finished telling it. “They suit me well.”
Edith took a second look at the maid’s hair. She had only just finished braiding one half of it. The other half was still a disheveled mess.
She arched her brows slightly, and Violet cleared her throat, her face flushing.
“It is…” she stammered. “It is only a fine day.”
Edith hummed. It was clear that the maid was hiding something. And whatever it was, she was now set on figuring it out.
“A fine day,” she repeated. “Pray tell, what is so fine about the day?” she asked, continuing with the braids.
“Nothing, me Lady,” Violet replied. “I am just glad to be attending the fair with ye. I have never attended it before.”
“Truly? Is that all?”
“Aye.” Violet paused for a moment. “It is only…” She hesitated before adding quietly, “The fair will be busy. There will be many people there.”
Edith’s eyes narrowed. She held Violet’s gaze in the mirror until it flickered away.
“And?”
Violet’s ears turned faintly pink. “And… I thought perhaps… the healer might be there too.”
Edith blinked. “Oh!”
Aaron had occupied so much of her thoughts lately that she’d totally forgotten about Violet’s interest in Martin. Her lips curled into a smile.
Violet made a small sound of protest. “It is nothing like that.”
“Aye,” Edith replied, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Of course it isnae.”
Violet groaned. “Me Lady…”
Edith laughed softly under her breath, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It isnae bad to fancy a man,” she said, squeezing softly. “And Martin is a fine man, indeed.” She hesitated then, holding Violet’s gaze in the mirror. “It is just…”
Violet shifted in her seat, looking at her intently. “Did somethin’ happen during yer lesson?”
“Nay, nay.” Edith shook her head. “It was?—”
“Did it nae go well?” Violet interrupted.
Edith smiled. “Nay, it did.” She straightened, finishing the second braid. “In fact, he said that me next lesson will be an examination.”
Violet’s eyes widened. “Truly?”
