Violet gave her a look. “Ye arenae,” she countered briskly. “Sit.”
She pulled a garment out from the bundle and spread it out on the bed. It was an emerald-green dress—it was probably one of Scarlett’s old dresses—the color rich even in the dim morning light.
Edith frowned, moving hesitantly as Violet turned her toward the chair in a gentle but surprisingly firm motion.
“I can dress meself,” she protested weakly.
If Aaron was truly waiting for her out in the cold stables, then she was better off conserving her energy for his arrogance instead.
Violet was quick. Within minutes, Edith was dressed in the emerald gown, the color complementing her skin perfectly. Violet brushed her hair with her fingers, pulling it into a tight bun and leaving a few strands hanging around her face. Then she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and neck, tugging at it gently.
“Alright,” she said, clearly satisfied with her work. “Let us hurry. I ken ye daenae want to keep the Laird out in the cold for longer.”
’Tis nae me business if he freezes.
Edith shook her head, but she was already walking toward the door.
The cold outside was more biting than she had expected. The harsh air hit her face, cutting through her lungs as they made their way to the stables. Her face twisted into a frown once she spotted Aaron, his back turned toward them as he waited outside the stables in the harsh morning breeze.
“Good mornin’, me Laird,” she greeted once she finally reached him, curtsying deeply.
Aaron turned around, his jaw set. “Ye’re late.”
A small mist floated in the air before him as he spoke, evidence of how long he had stood in the cold.
Perhaps I should have been quicker.
Edith straightened, retrieving her cloak from Violet before dismissing her with a smile.
Aaron turned, disappearing into the stables for a moment before returning with two perfectly groomed horses—his own and Sirius.
Edith tsked, shivering as she watched him run his fingers through the horse’s perfectly groomed mane. If only he cared for people as much as he did those horses.
She narrowed her eyes slightly as he handed her the reins of the beautiful white stallion.
He didnae even keep them waiting in the cold.
“Scarlett’s horse,” she said aloud.
Aaron nodded, preparing his horse.
Edith already knew Sirius well. She had ridden on her back before, though it had only been for a brief moment, when she had been with Scarlett.
“Pray tell, me Laird.” She turned to face Aaron, making sure to hold tightly onto the reins. “Where are we going so early in the mornin’?”
Aaron cast a look at her. He had clearly caught the sarcasm in her voice, though he did not comment on it.
“The market,” he replied simply. “We shall go to the seamstress to buy ye a dress for the upcoming binding.”
Binding?
Edith’s brows rose.
“But there willnae be a binding,” she protested. “’Tis nae part of our?—”
Aaron closed the distance between them, holding a hand over her mouth.
“Careful now, lass,” he said, his voice lowering as he leaned closer to her ear. “Ye daenae want any loitering servant to hear yer blabbering.”
