Erskine downed what was in the glass, looking forward to the burn of the whisky, but he screwed up a face in response.
“Ergh, Dearg, there’s somethin’ wrong with that whisky,” Erskine explained as he placed the glass on the windowsill.
“Ye’re right,” Dearg turned back with an equally put-out face. “Perhaps it’s God’s way of tellin’ me I’ve had enough.”
“Aye, maybe so,” Erskine laughed as Dearg did too.
“Good night, brother,” Dearg nodded to him and walked toward the door.
“Good night, Dearg.”
As the door closed, Erskine looked back out of the window, tracing the roofs and thinking of the last time he had held Laura in his arms.
Nae long now.
This time tomorrow, he would have his father’s blessing, and Laura could be officially introduced as Miss Laura Hamilton, daughter of Sir Hamilton from London, and they would be betrothed.
She will never have to worry about Lord Moore again.
As this thought faded, Erskine stumbled on his feet. He reached for the wall and held himself up, blinking madly.
It seems I have had too much as well.
He turned and staggered across the room until he reached the nearest chair and slumped down into the seat. The moment his head hit the back of the chair, all sense of consciousness was gone, and the last thoughts he had of Laura were enveloped in darkness.
* * *
“What do you think?” Laura asked as she stood before Lennox and Magret.
“It really is a transformation, Lassie,” Magret shook her head in disbelief.
Laura looked away from the two of them, turning to the small mirror Magret had and trying to see enough of her reflection in it. She was wearing a dress for the first time in weeks.
Lennox had provided a corset and chemise, and Magret had provided the dress and the shoes that used to belong to her daughter. The dress was not quite as fine as Laura was accustomed to in London, but it was still an elegant dress and showed just how womanly she could be when not hiding as Billie.
The reflection that stared back at her was uncertain and nervous. The eyes danced across the dress, surveying the blue silk cinched tightly at the waist around the corset. Around the deep neckline was a hint of white chiffon that did little to hide her cleavage. The sleeves reached down to her elbow and were trimmed with the same white chiffon. The blue silk fell to the floor in soft waves, making her seem taller than she really was.
“Ye look beautiful!” Lennox said happily as she appeared behind her in the mirror. “Time to do somethin’ with yer hair.”
“My hair?” Laura asked as Lennox pulled the brown locks out of the tie.
“Aye, unless ye want to go to the Laird with it under that cap again?” Lennox smirked.
“It is perhaps not quite the look I was going for,” Laura admitted.
“Then let’s see….” Lennox fussed with her hair for a few minutes.
Since Laura had first cut her hair, it had grown a little, now reaching beyond her chin. Lennox deftly pinned some of the hair at the back of her head, but she left some loose tendrils hanging down the front either side of her face. The style was a fashionable one and extremely feminine, framing her face.
“How’s that?” Lennox asked. When Laura smiled at her reflection, it was all the answer she needed. “See? I kenned it would work! Are ye ready?”
Laura’s smile dropped again as her nerves returned.
“What is wrong?” Lennox asked, her eyes wide.
“Ah, she’s worried, lassie,” Magret’s voice came from the chair nearby. She shook her head strongly and waved her hand in the air with animation. “She is walkin’ straight into a castle to nae only meet a Laird, but to ask if she can marry his son. I’d be worried too.” These words made Laura bite her lip.
“Magret,” Lennox turned and looked at her with admonishment, “I was kind of hopin’ we could cheer Laura up a little, ye ken? Tell her everythin’ will be well, nae frighten the poor lass!” She turned back to the mirror and placed her hands on Laura’s shoulders, connecting their eyes. “Trust me, Laura, all will be well.”
