Page 70 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

Noah blinked, struggling to believe his own eyes. Eloise must have a twin sister who came to the castle in her stead.

Scarlett is nae Eloise. They are two different women—identical twins!

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The tavern was closed—that was a small marvel. The entire time she lived under Athol’s roof, he had never once closed it, not for a single night. Even when he was dreadfully sick or traveling far away, he insisted that Scarlett keep it open. He couldn’t afford to lose money.

She dabbed her eyes, overjoyed to see Eloise again. Her companion was a tall man whose bright auburn hair mirrored her own, and Eloise turned to him.

“Scarlett, dear, it is with great delight that I introduce our brother, Avery.”

“Avery,” she breathed in amazement.

He offered his hand, clasping hers warmly. “Look at ye two! I have nae seen such a thing and wouldnae believe it if I dinnae see it now for mysel.” He grinned, looking from Scarlett to Eloise, almost in disbelief.

“I can scarcely believe we are meeting like this. This is where ye lived, Scarlett?” Avery asked, looking at the tavern.

“Aye, ‘tis.”

Avery opened his arms wide they embraced warmly. She was surprised by the warmth and safety she felt in that simple hug, one she had longed for. “I am so sorry ye grew up like this,” he whispered. “Our mother never spoke of ye.”

“Ye left before she could,” Eloise chided.

“Aye, but we must look forward. We have all the time in the world tae ken each other now. I must go again soon, but I will return, there is no doubt.” His words made Scarlett’s spine slump. She couldn’t imagine just meeting him, only to lose him again so soon.

“When ye leave, I will go tae my own fate,” Eloise sighed with regret. “Thank ye, Scarlett, for taking my place at the castle if only for a time. I must take my place there now.”

“Ye dinnae need tae fear, Eloise, ‘tis a happy place,” Scarlett assured her.

Both Avery and Eloise exchanged a dark look.

“Happy?” Avery said doubtfully. “That isnae what people say. They say a sadness hangs over that place ever since the previous laird died by violence.”

Scarlett looked away, remembering what Noah had told her of his father’s death. More than anything, she wished she could take that pain away forever.

“People still hurt from that day,” she said. “’Tis a better place than ye think.”

“And Laird Chattan?” Eloise asked. “I’ve heard so much about him. I hardly look forward tae the wedding. In fact, I dread it.” She shivered with distaste.

Scarlett was hurt by her remarks. She knew Eloise didn’t understand. “He is a good man,” she asserted.

“That is quite a compliment,” she observed. “It doesnae seem to fit.”

“He is kinder than ye think. Aye, he may be a bit rough in places. But ye’ll see he is a good man, a fine one! I’ve never met a man like him before.” Scarlett smiled nostalgically.

Avery scrutinized her, his expression quizzical. “Well, if yer tavern patrons are typical, then Laird Chattan must be a paragon,” Avery allowed.

“’Tis more than that,” she Eloise directly. “He is a good man, and ye shouldnae fear him.”

“I wonder why ye speak of him with such passion,” Eloise speculated.

“Ye care for him,” Avery said shrewdly, watching Scarlett closely.

“Nae, ‘tis more than that!” Eloise looked up, understanding in a flash. “In the name of the wee man, Scarlett. I dinnae wish tae believe it, but I think Avery is right.”

Scarlett felt cornered; her siblings knew the truth.

“Ye are in love with Laird Chattan!” Eloise declared.