Page 27 of Hunted By the Hard Highlander

“I was plannin’ on takin’ it in me chambers tonight,” Aurora said, keeping her face carefully neutral. “I thought the Laird wished for me to rest.”

“The clan is already watchin’ yer every step, me Lady,” Hilda said patiently as she pulled a gown from Aurora’s wardrobe, unaffected by Aurora’s weak protests. “I ken that ye prefer spendin’ yer time amongst the herbs just as Hendry does, but Clan Anderson would like to see their Lady, especially this evening.”

The arguments Aurora had on the tip of her tongue died. It was clear that she would not be allowed to take her meal here, but softly, Aurora admitted, “I daenae wish to dine under so many curious eyes.”

“Ach, but me Lady, this isnae any ordinary supper,” Hilda said, her voice firm but not unkind. She fussed with the skirt of the gown before looking over her shoulder and meeting Amelia’s gaze. “All of the clan will be gathered as it is a shootin’ dinner. Celebratin’ the upcomin’ huntin’ season is important. Yer attendance is important as well.”

Unbidden, memories of the shooting dinners her own father hosted flashed through her mind. She knew exactly how important it was. She had been a part of the planning first-hand, getting swept up in the meal and the conversation.

She had not thought about it in months.

During the last season that their parents were still alive, Adair had not been able to sleep the entire night before out of excitement. He had not even been involved in the planning; he had simply seen it happening. She wondered if anyone had told him about the event prior to this evening.

“Aye, it is an important event, is it nae?” Aurora said, walking over to where Hilda had hung the gown. “I suppose I cannae take me dinner here tonight.”

“Yer people will be pleased to see ye, me Lady,” the maid said proudly. “This should fit ye quite nicely,” Hilda said, running a hand over the fabric before she took her place behind Aurora, unbuttoning the dress she was wearing with skilled fingers. “The seamstress is still workin’ on yer gowns. They will be here before yer handfastin’.”

“I’m quite excited to see what she is made for me,” Aurora admitted, stepping out of the garment and waiting for Hilda to guide her into the new one. The soft fabric slid up her forearms, hugging the curves of her waist and breasts surprisingly well. “It has been quite a long time since I had garments made for me.”

“I believe we are all lookin’ forward to seein’ what ye wear durin’ the ceremony,” Hilda said, making quick work of the fastenings that ran up Aurora’s back. She worked even faster than Mrs. Duncan. “We havenae had a weddin’ in years. I ken that everyone is lookin’ forward to it.”

“Even if they daenae ken how they feel about me?” Aurora said, half-joking. She could not get the nagging feeling that perhaps they did not want her here.

It seems that everyone here is cautious of strangers.

“Of course,” Hilda said, guiding Aurora to the bench in front of her desk. “It is a chance for everyone to see ye and get to ken ye. And it means that there will be music and dancin’ and the most delicious food in all of the Highlands. It is a celebration regardless of whether or nae they ken ye at the beginnin’ of it.”

“I suppose cannae argue with that logic,” Aurora admitted as she was seated. “A celebration is excitin’ regardless of who it is for.” She looked down at the parchment on her desk, the diagrams she had been working on. “Though I do hope that they like me.”

“Ye must give them a chance. It isnae often we meet new people, ye ken?” Hilda’s fingers ran through Aurora’s fiery curls, working out any tangles. Softly, she said, “I think I will plait yer hair. I have wanted to do so since ye first arrived.”

“Be me guest,” Aurora said, her eyes falling closed as Hilda’s nails scratched against her scalp. “I amnae very good at plaitin’ me own hair.”

As Hilda began her careful work, Aurora’s door creaked open again. Her stomach sank, but then Adair’s face appeared, and he was grinning like a madman. He wasted no time in slipping inside and perching on the edge of her mattress, practically buzzing like a bee.

“Ye heard about the shootin’ dinner, did ye?” Aurora asked, obeying Hilda’s unspoken instruction to straighten her neck. “That is why ye are here.”

“I did,” Adair confirmed happily. He bounced in place as he kicked his legs back and forth, his heels connecting with the wooden frame. “Mrs. Duncan helped me brush me hair. She said I looked very handsome.”

“Ye are,” Aurora said, though she had only gotten a glimpse of him when he had walked into the room. “And it was quite nice of her to assist ye, wasnae it?”

“Aye,” Adair said. She could tell that he was only growing more and more restless as he waited for permission to leave the room. “She was teachin’ me how to do it meself, as well.”

“She is makin’ ye self-sufficient, then,” Aurora said.

“I suppose she is,” Adair said. Finally, unable to contain his impatience any longer, he asked, “Are ye nearly ready?”

“I will be done with Lady Aurora in a moment and then the two of ye can go and join the festivities,” Hilda said, tying off the first braid with a small length of ribbon before moving onto the next.

Adair did his best to sit still, but Aurora could hear his heels knocking against the bedframe softly. When Hilda finished, she stood Aurora up and turned her toward Adair. His face lit up at the sight of her.

“Me sister looks prettier than any queen in any of the old Highland tales,” he exclaimed, jumping up and bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Ye will be the bonniest lady in the hall.”

Aurora could not help but laugh at her brother’s excitement. Even though he was certainly motivated by the idea of the meal happening just downstairs, the compliment was genuine. It seemed as if he grew more and more charming with each passing day.

“I believe that ye are hopelessly biased, Adair,” she said, walking forward and straightening his shirt. He was so excited to leave the room that he allowed her to fuss over him. “Now, how would ye like to go down and join the festivities?”

“Aye!” he exclaimed, grabbing onto Aurora’s hand and pulling her out of the room. “Can ye smell it, Aurora? I wish to get the best of everythin’.”