Page 37 of A Virgin for the Stone Highlander
The cold seeped into her bones as she padded barefoot across the stone floor, but she did not care. She stood before the window, allowing the pale morning light to wash over her skin.
Aaron’s possessiveness still baffled her. She had thought the situation over a thousand times, and it still did not make any sense. Their arrangement had been his idea in the first place. She knew very well that he intended to end it within a month.
And yet…
Edith sighed, leaning against the window frame with her eyes closed.
“This is ridiculous,” she said as the early morning breeze blew softly against her face. Her voice sounded hoarse in the quiet chamber.
Her stomach twisted, and her chest tightened.
Perhaps I have finally lost me senses. Losing sleep over Aaron when he?—
The door to her chamber clicked open before she could spiral further. She started, turning toward it. For one ridiculous heartbeat, she had expected it to be Aaron, come to her with flowers and an explanation that would finally settle her racing mind.
The breath she released was heavier than it should have been when she saw Violet instead.
I truly have lost me senses.
“Ye’re awake,” Violet said quietly, a small smile touching her lips.
Edith nodded, her head feeling far too heavy for the slight movement. “Aye.”
If only ye kent.
Violet crossed the room, walking toward the hearth with a small bundle of firewood in her arms. She crouched beside the dying flame, feeding it carefully.
“Ye ken I can do that meself,” Edith offered, moving away from the window.
“Nay.” Violet shook her head. “Nae anymore. Ye are me mistress now.”
Edith let out a tired breath as she reached her bed. “Daenae start with that.”
She sat down on the edge of the bed, watching as Violet expertly coaxed the fire back to life. The warm glow slowly returned to the chamber, softening the cold edges of the morning.
Violet straightened once she seemed satisfied with the flame, brushing her hands together lightly before walking back toward Edith.
“I also came for a favor,” she admitted.
“A favor?” Edith perked up despite herself.
Violet had never asked anything of her before, and now that she was about to, Edith found herself unexpectedly curious.
Violet stepped closer, then hesitated. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as though they were not the only people in the room. “How was Martin?”
Edith blinked once. “He was… wonderful,” she said honestly. “Why? Is something wrong? Are ye unwell?”
Violet shook her head so quickly it almost made Edith laugh. “Nay, nay. Nothing like that,” she sputtered. Then she added more quietly, “I was wondering whether he is… engaged.”
Edith stared at her for a heartbeat, then a soft laugh escaped her. Only then did she notice the color rising rapidly to Violet’s cheeks.
Och.
“I cannae quite imagine him with anyone,” she replied gently, her amusement softening her exhaustion. “He is far too… brooding.”
Violet pressed her lips together, clearly holding back a smile.
“But,” Edith added, her smile growing slightly. “I shall do me research.”
