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“Oh, well, I’m sorry for interrupting then, please go ahead.”

“Tell me what?” Orla asked, glancing between the two of them with confusion etched upon her face.

“Oh, I dinnae know, Edward, perhaps ye should be the one tae tell her. After all, ye are the head of the household and it does depend on ye business matters being decided before we leave,” Nova said.

“But she is your sister, and I would so hate to get in the middle of family matters. It’s something of a tradition with the Stewart girls, isn’t it?” he said, a teasing smile upon his face. Orla twisted her neck as both of them spoke, getting more and more annoyed the longer they dragged out the matter. She had a suspicion of what it might be, but she dared not let hope flicker within her heart, because she feared she would only end up disappointed.

“Will one of ye tell me what ye asked me here for?” she exclaimed, the words cutting through the air as sharply as a whip. She arched her eyebrows and wore her most menacing expression, which did not have as much potent threat, given that her cheeks were soft and round. Nova relented at this display of impatience though, and wore a smile upon her face.

“Well Orla, I was actually talking with Da the last time we visited, and we did agree that given ye hae turned 18, ye should experience a few more things than ye hae been allowed tae dae before. Edward and I hae arranged a trip tae London tae see Halle. I asked Da if he would allow ye tae come, and after a wee bit of persuasion, he agreed. Ye are gaeing tae see London after all,” she exclaimed.

Orla gasped. Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes went so white, her pupils were mere pinpricks. She started bouncing around the room, almost unable to believe that this was actually happening. It was everything she had been waiting for, everything she had wanted. She was finally going to see the place that Halle and Nova had spoken with such joy and elation about, the place where they had found love. Now it was her turn.

“I’m finally gaeing tae find a husband there!” she exclaimed, and ran up to Nova, pulling her out of the chair to hug her tightly. “Thank ye,” she repeated, over and over again, the words all bubbling out of her mouth. She did not see the reluctant look that Nova shared with Edward, but within a few moments, Nova would sit her down and tell her that finding a husband was not part of the agreement. Laird Stewart had only allowed her to visit London, for he still planned to marry her to a Highland man.

Orla scowled at this. “Well he cannae stop me if I find a good man, just like he could nae stop ye or Halle. I could find a Duke, or a Lord, or even a Prince! If a Prince wanted me for his wife then how could Da refuse? I’m gaeing tae find a husband there Nova, ye just wait and see.”

“Let us just see what happens Orla. And remember tae thank Da when ye return home. It’s nae easy for him tae let ye take a month away from the keep. He is gaeing tae miss ye terribly,” Nova noted.

Orla did not much care about that. She felt as though she had missed out on too much of life already because of his refusal to let her know freedom. This was her chance, her one chance to experience the joys of life, and if she was destined to marry a boring Highlander, then at least she would be able to have the memory of this trip to stay with her for the rest of her life.