The thought made her chest tight with an unfamiliar ache. Lydia with her delicate features, her gentle manner, her effortlessgrace. If Elijah had seen them side by side, would he still have chosen Iris?
Why am I even thinkin’ about this?
But she knew why. For the first time in her life, she had something her sister didn’t. A husband who looked at her with desire, who touched her like she was precious. And now, she was terrified that it was all a mistake, that if given the choice, any man would prefer Lydia’s soft beauty over Iris’ sharp edges.
The jealousy hit her like a fist to the stomach. She’d never felt this way about her sister before, had always accepted that Lydia was the pretty one, the favored one. But now, sitting here with the memory of Elijah’s touch still burning on her skin, she found herself resenting her twin for the first time in her life.
I need to talk to someone. I’m goin’ mad.
She stood abruptly, the book tumbling to the floor. Aliana would understand. She needed to talk to Aliana.
But before she could reach the door, a young maid appeared in the doorway, slightly out of breath.
“Me lady, ye have a visitor.”
Iris paused, confused. “A visitor? Who?”
“She wouldnae give her name, me lady. Just said she was an old friend and that ye’d want to see her.” The girl shifted nervously. “She’s waitin’ in the reception hall.”
“An old friend?” Iris frowned. She didn’t know anyone in Scotland besides her family.
Her heart leaped with sudden hope. “Take me to her. Now.”
She followed the maid through the castle corridors, her earlier confusion momentarily forgotten. When she entered the reception hall and saw who was waiting, she couldn’t contain her joy.
“Mairie!”
“Me lady!”
The two women flew toward each other, meeting in the middle of the room in a fierce embrace. Iris felt tears prick her eyes as she held her oldest friend close.
“What are ye doin' here?” Iris pulled back to look at Mairie’s familiar face. “How did ye… I daenae understand!”
Mairie’s grin was pure mischief. “Well, it’s quite simple really. I made sure yer parents fired me.”
“Ye what?”
“Oh, it wasnae difficult.” Mairie’s eyes sparkled. “I may have ‘accidentally’ ruined one of yer maither’s favorite gowns. And then ‘forgotten’ to prepare her bath water at the proper temperature. And possibly told yer da that his new doublet made him look like an overstuffed partridge.”
“Mairie!” Iris couldn’t help laughing despite her shock. “Ye dinnae!”
“I did. Three days of spectacular incompetence, and they couldnae wait to be rid of me.” Mairie squeezed her hands. “I wasnae about to let ye face this new life without me, Iris. Nae after everythin’ we’ve been through together.”
“But how did ye even get here? It’s a two-day journey at least.”
“Hitched a ride with a merchant caravan headin’ north. Cost me most of me savin’s, but I managed.” Mairie’s expression grew more serious. “Iris, I came to ask ye somethin’. Will ye hire me as yer personal maid?”
“Hire ye?” Iris stared at her. “Of course, I’ll hire ye! I’ve been missin’ ye somethin’ fierce!”
“Truly?”
“Truly.” Iris pulled her into another embrace. “I’ll speak to Elijah about it today. I’m certain he’ll agree.”
“Elijah, is it?” Mairie pulled back with a knowing look. “Nae ‘the laird’ or ‘me husband’ but Elijah?”
Heat flooded Iris’ cheeks. “Well, he is me husband.”
“Aye, and how is married life treatin’ ye?” Mairie’s grin turned teasing. “From the look on yer face, I’d say it’s treatin’ ye rather well.”
