It should have been everything she needed to forget about Aaron. But it was not.
Her gaze drifted to him, her chest tightening slightly at the sight of his tight jaw.
Surely, he isnae pleased with me.
She stood next to him. The purpose of their third outing was for as many people to see them together as possible, and she was going to uphold her end of the deal even if he didn’t.
She stiffened as their hands brushed, heat coursing through her body. She looked up at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. She shifted slightly.
It doesnae matter.
Perhaps if he had waited for an explanation before leaving the healer’s chamber, she would have given it to him.
But how could she explain herself to a man who had not truly claimed her? How could she understand his jealousy when he paid her for every moment they shared?
I owe him nothing.
Scarlett approached them, a small smile playing on her lips. She curtsied playfully to Aaron, her bubbly self barely getting a nod out of him.
“If ye please, me Laird, I would like to steal yer betrothed for a moment.”
Aaron did not bat an eyelid. “Aye,” he responded coldly.
Scarlett shrugged, linking her arm with Edith’s before leading her away from him. She headed first toward a ribbon cart, practically dragging Edith with her.
“He has been like that since the castle,” she murmured once they stopped in front of the cart. “Sulking as though someone stole yer horse.”
Edith blinked, a small smile touching her lips. “Aye?”
“Aye. Has somethin’ happened between ye two?”
“Nay,” she responded, perhaps a touch too quickly. “Why would ye think that?”
Scarlett paused. Her eyes narrowed in the way they always did when she was not convinced. But for some reason, she did not press the matter. She picked out ribbons, showing Edith her new clan colors with a smile on her face.
“’Tis beautiful,” Edith said sincerely as she held up the ribbons to her dress. “Marriage suits ye, me dear friend.”
Scarlett smiled. “Ye should wear this,” she said, handing her a new set of ribbons in Hallow colors.
Edith’s lips parted slightly. “Now?”
“Aye.”
Edith hesitated. “Scarlett…”
“Daenae refuse me, lass,” Scarlett pressed.
“But—”
“No buts,” she interrupted. “I ken what ye are about to say, and I understood ye clearly in the library. I still want ye to have them.”
Edith softened at that. She accepted the ribbons, allowing her friend to pin them to her skirt.
The cart owner complimented them, and they smiled, the two ladies twirling in their dresses as though they were little girls again.
“Now, I ken ye cannae wait to visit the herb stalls,” Scarlett said as they moved on, looking at the carts they passed by.
Edith laughed. “Ye ken me well.”
