Hope sparked in me at his apprehension—hope that maybe he’d rethink leaving me tomorrow.
“You get the cottage warmed up. I’ll be just fine here with Marta.” I met Selvyn’s gaze, offering him a warm smile that seemed to quell his unease over leaving me.
He nodded in agreement and once Elric had gathered a stack of fresh linens and shrugged on his coat, the two headed out the door.
“Dearie me,” Marta huffed the moment the door shut behind them. “It seems you’ve put quite a spell on Selvyn.”
“He’s never been like this before with any of the others?” I looked up to find Marta shaking her head.
“Never. There’s something about the way he looks at you, m’dear.”
She extended her hand out to me and I held it tight as I followed her upstairs. Side by side, we shuffled down the hallway and into one of the rooms. A perfectly made bed sat in the middle of the room, with a small mirrored vanity, wardrobe, and low dresser taking up the remaining space. It was warm and inviting–just what I expected from Marta and Elric.
“Let's see here…” Marta hummed as she sifted through the wardrobe. She pulled out a clean white nightgown and handed it to me. “Go on and change into this.”
She turned her back to give me privacy and I pulled the threadbare remnants of my old dress over my head as fast as I could, eager to never see it again.
As soon as I was changed, I gently grabbed her elbow.
“Sit down right here, love,” Marta pulled a tufted velvet stool from beneath the vanity and patted the seat.
I sat down in front of the mirror, taking in my reflection for the first time in what felt like ages.
My familiar deep brown eyes stared back at me. The same porcelain skin and full lips that I was used to–but there was something different about me.
I looked healthy.
During our time under the mountain, Selvyn had cared for me better than I’d ever managed to care for myself. He’d shown me compassion, kindness, a tenderness that my clients would have never dreamed of extending.
I hadn’t wilted in the time I’d spent with him in the dark.
I’d bloomed.
Tears welled up in my eyes and a choked sob escaped me, drawing Marta’s attention.
“Oh, m’dear,” she tsked, rushing over to hug me with her arms overflowing with nightgowns and dresses. “You’ve been through it, but I promise it’ll be better from here on out.”
I nodded and used the fur to dab at my eyes. “Yes, it’ll be much better from here on out.”
But I was lying to myself.
A future without Selvyn seemed as bleak as my past.
Marta hugged me one last time, then laid the collection of garments on the vanity in a heap. “I figured I’d let you pick out a few things until we can get you into town. They might be a little big, but at least they’re warm and clean.”
I ran my fingers over the stack of clothes, marveling at the jewel tones, rich furs, velvets, and fine embellishments that adorned each piece.
Even the nightgowns were embroidered, with dainty pine trees, animals, and flowers circling the hem.
They were nothing like the muted palette of stiff fabrics I was used to.
“These are lovely,” I told Marta, my fingers trailing over an ivy leaf embroidered in shiny gold thread.
“Thank you. My sister is a seamstress, so I often find myself with more dresses than I need. You’re welcome to keep whatever you’d like.”
“I appreciate it.” I gripped Marta’s arm. “Truly I do.”
Her eyes twinkled as she looked at the two of us in the mirror. “It’s my pleasure. If you’re dear to Selvyn, you’re dear to Elric and me.” She tucked several of the hairs that had slipped loose from my braid behind my ear. “Why don’t you let me tidy up your hair a bit and I’ll tell you about how we came to know Selvyn, hmm?”
