Page 11 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“I was just thinking—a wild idea really, probably quite foolish. Ye may think me mad because of it,” Eloise ventured.

“I did already think ye were mad tonight when ye turned up at my door,” Scarlett reminded her with a smile. “So ye risk nothing by telling me yer thoughts. What is it?”

Eloise released her arm and turned to face her on the bench. She motioned her hand back and forth.

“Ye and I look exactly the same, aye?” she whispered.

“Aye,” Scarlett noted wryly.

“So, what if I was tae go tae and what if ye were tae go tae Chattan Castle?”

For a second, Scarlett was certain she had misheard her. She stared at her sister, blinked, then decided she must be joking. She laughed, shaking her head. “Aye, that is very amusing. Forgive me for laughing.” Scarlett stood and removed the whisky bottle, deciding it was time she cleared up.

“I wasnae joking,” Eloise hurried after her across the tavern.

“Shh,” Scarlett pleaded and pointed upward. “As ye see, the tavern owner is nae a heavy sleeper.”

Eloise lowered her voice, speaking with new enthusiasm. “Why is it such a mad idea if we were tae switch places? ‘Twould only be for a short while.”

“Eloise, allow me tae slow yer excitement. Ye are buzzing so much ye remind me of bees in springtime.” At Scarlett’s words, Eloise tried to calm her bouncing toes. “Ye and I barely ken each other, yet ye wish me tae impersonate ye whilst ye are in France. I couldnae pretend tae be ye. ‘Tisnae dangerous if someone discovered the switch?”

“Why nae? Ye look like me, and I have never met Laird Chattan, so he wouldnae know the difference, even if there was one.” Eloise shrugged as if the idea was easy to understand.

“And what of the difference in our manners?” Scarlett pointed out as she put the whisky bottle away and began to clear up the last of the glasses. “Ye cannae have missed the fact we are different.”

“Well, perhaps a little.” Eloise flattened the creases in her cloak.

“See? Ye are elegant, for one thing, and quiet too.” Scarlett gestured toward her. “Ye must have seen I am neither of those things.”

“Ye are certainly bold.” Eloise chewed her lip at the thought. “Yet Laird Chattan wouldnae ken.”

“And he would surely notice the difference when ye return and we switch places.” Scarlett still laughed, thinking the idea absurd and risky. “I think we’ve had one mad moment enough for today; we would well leave other wild ideas for another day.”

“I cannae,” Eloise said miserably. “The boat for France leaves tomorrow. Either I am on it, or I give up ever finding Avery.”

Scarlett paused, her hand on the glass. She watched the candlelight passing through the glass, the orange glow casting myriad colors about as she considered the implications of what Eloise suggested.

I have a brother and our mother’s dying wish was for him tae come home.

Sighing, Scarlett leaned on the bar between them. She could help Eloise and Avery now. All she had to do was pretend to be her sister for a while, how bad could that be?

“Ye truly loved him? He was a good brother?” Scarlett whispered.

“Aye. He used to take me riding. He was a great teacher. Being with him is my fondest childhood memory,” Eloise murmured nostalgically. “I just want tae bring him home, Scarlett. That is all. I ken I’m asking something wild, maybe even a little crazy—”

“A little!” Scarlett scoffed.

“Well, yes,” Eloise agreed, “but I do it with good reason—for Avery,” she said simply, a smile on her lips. “It would only be for the month. I'll return for the wedding, and ye can return here, or…” She wrinkled her nose as she looked around the tavern. “Scarlett, do ye wish tae stay here?”

“In truth, nae.” Scarlett shook her head. “I always hoped tae travel someday.”

“I could help ye with that.” Eloise offered, clasping her hands together. “When I return, I could give ye money.”

“I could get away from here and leave all this all behind?” Scarlett asked, lowering the glass to the wood bar. The thought was tempting, more than she imagined possible. She pictured herself taking a boat to France, stepping off the dock onto dry land. Could she see Paris? Perhaps learn French? “It’s all I have ever wanted,” she whispered, “tae turn my back on this place, go somewhere new.”

Maybe I could be Eloise, even if only for a short while.

“I want tae help ye with that,” Eloise spoke sincerely. “Ye should nae have tae hide in this place anymore, Scarlett. It’s nae what I want for ye. It’s nae what our mother wanted for ye, either.” She blinked, fighting more tears.