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“I suppose there’s nae harm in trying it on,” he said. Orla smiled in victory. When he emerged with the suit on, it was almost as though he was a different person. He looked distinguished and handsome. The suit added some maturity and confidence to him, and the tailor even suggested that he wear a hat. Hamish looked unconvinced about this, but he tried it all the same, and it did add a certain dignity to the outfit. Orla felt a warm tingle spread through her body, which she passed off as happiness. Perhaps there was hope for him after all, she thought.

* * *

They returned to the townhouse with a great many boxes. As servants came out to help carry the boxes in, Edward and Nova were there to greet them.

“My my, you certainly took my offer to heart,” Edward exclaimed.

Hamish stepped forward with a solemn look on his face. “I hope ye dinnae mind, but I also bought myself a suit for the ball. Orla suggested that I should look my best. Of course, if I hae overstepped my mark, then I’m sure we can take it back, or discuss some payment plan,” he said. “I would hate tae take advantage of ye generosity.”

“Oh don’t worry about that. It’s a fine idea on Orla’s behalf. Besides, I don’t think one suit is going to make much of a difference when Orla here has bought half of London,” Edward chuckled.

“See, I told ye he would nae mind,” Orla muttered under her breath. Hamish had been fretting about it all the way home. He had been so stoic up until this point, that she hadn’t realized how anxious he actually was.

“Well, I am gaeing tae prepare for the ball now. I suggest ye dae the same, Hamish. We must look presentable and dae the Highlands proud.”

“I’ll try my best,” Hamish said, bowing his head. Orla smiled and ascended the stairs, following the servants who were carrying all her newly purchased items up to her chambers.

* * *

As soon as the boxes had all been deposited in her room, Orla pulled the lids off them and began trying on the things she had bought again. She was so caught up in the flurry of excitement that she did not hear Nova knock on the door, or then open the door. It took Nova to clear her throat loudly for the spell to be broken. Orla looked up. Dresses and other garments were strewn over the bed, while the three pairs of shoes were on the floor, and her dresser was covered with the accessories she had worn, although at the present moment, she was attempting to fix a silver flower in her hair. Nova had been leaning against the frame of the door, but now she moved in and helped Orla.

“Ye certainly hae been on a spree taeday,” Nova said.

Orla gave a sheepish smile. “I think I may hae gotten a wee bit carried away in the excitement. I hope Edward is nae angry with me for spending sae much of his money.”

“What’s the use of money if ye cannae use it tae make ye family happy?” Nova said, wearing a smile. “And it certainly seems as though ye and Hamish are getting on well.”

“He is nae entirely difficult,” Orla agreed reservedly.

“Ah, well, perhaps it was nae such a bad idea tae send him out with ye, then,” she added. There was a twinkle in her eyes, and Orla knew exactly what it meant.

“Even so, he is a brute, and nae like the men ye and Halle married. I cannae stand him,” she insisted, and immediately regretted the harshness of her words.

“He is nae a brute Nova, and it dinnae matter-” Nova tried to say, but Orla wasn’t going to have any of it. She twisted and examined her reflection in the mirror, trying to see if the flower was in the right position.

“Dae ye think Halle will like this?” she asked, changing the subject completely. She had spent all day with Hamish. The last thing she needed was to think about him now, especially when the ball was swiftly approaching.