Page 78 of A Virgin for the Stone Highlander
Edith beamed.
She could not believe it. She felt as if she had not seen her friend in ages, though it had only been a couple of months.
They pulled back from the hug, holding hands as they stared at each other like long-lost lovers.
Scarlett’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Now tell me,” she said teasingly, “how did ye become engaged to the one man who swore he would never marry?”
Edith almost gasped, relieved and overwhelmed at once. For the longest time, she had longed to tell her best friend about everything that had happened in the castle, and now she had the chance.
She glanced at Violet, who was still standing awkwardly next to the bedside chair where she had left her, and gave her a small smile before turning back to Scarlett.
“Come,” she said, leading her best friend out of the room. “I will tell ye everything.”
Edith ran down the corridor hand-in-hand with Scarlett as the morning breeze carried their dresses behind them.
It was as though they were little girls again.
The world around them faded into nothing but bliss and the joy of their own company. They giggled as they made their way to the old library, where they spent most of their childhood together.
They pushed open the door, Edith holding one hand over her nose as she stepped into the room. It did not matter that it was dark and dusty; Scarlett stepped in behind her, their laughter muffled as they pushed open every window within their reach.
Soon, the dust settled.
“I cannae believe it,” Scarlett giggled, her eyes shining with nostalgia as she took in the nearly empty space.
“It isnae always this dusty.”
Scarlett looked at Edith. “Do ye often come here?” she asked, clearly in disbelief.
Edith nodded, leading the way. “Aye, but only when I miss ye.”
Scarlett gasped playfully, following behind her.
“I cannae believe it,” she teased. “I didnae miss ye in the slightest.” She looked around, trailing the tips of her gloved fingers along a shelf before her gaze settled on the table in the corner. “That…” she trailed off, her eyes widening. “That is where we used to read me braither’s books.”
Edith smiled. “Aye. I remember it like yesterday.”
Scarlett turned to face her, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Ye think he kens? That I used to steal his books?”
Edith pressed her lips together, and Scarlett’s eyes narrowed.
“Daenae ye dare,” she said as she walked slowly toward her.
Edith shook her head, trying and failing to hold back a laugh.
“Ye!”
She burst out laughing.
“Ye havenae told him, have ye?”
“Only partly!” Edith managed between giggles as she raised her hand in mock defense. “I only mentioned the books once.”
Scarlett shook her head, feigning disapproval even as her lips struggled to hold back a smile. “I cannae believe it, Edith,” she teased again. “I leave ye by yerself for a month, and ye manage to get engaged to me braither. Even tell him our secrets.”
Edith folded her arms. “Daenae make it sound like that,” she teased back. “Ye ken how convincing Aaron can be.”
