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“Aye, maybe,” Orla trailed off. It was sweet how Laird Stewart had been so devoted to his deceased wife, but Orla wondered if it was actually healthy for him to live like that. She did not have many memories of her mother, but Orla thought that she would have wanted the man to move on and forge some kind of life for himself. Nobody could be happy being half alive, and she was a little wary of what she would find upon returning to the Highlands.

* * *

The journey down to England was a long one, with many different sights and sounds along the way. Orla found herself enjoying the pace of travel and liked seeing how the landscape changed along the way. There were long stretches of silence where Hamish bent backwards and slept. Soft snores rumbled between his lips, and Orla shook her head in disgust. They occasionally stopped to stretch their legs, swap their horses, and catch a bite to eat at inns along the way. They never stayed still for very long, however, for they all wanted to get to London as quickly as possible.

Orla had drifted asleep when she was gently nudged awake by Nova.

“I think ye might want tae see this,” Nova smiled, and guided Orla’s attention to the world outside. Orla rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, but it didn’t take long for her to compose herself, as she saw the world she had always longed to see. The descriptions that Halle and Nova had given her had created a vivid image in her mind, but that was nothing compared to the sweeping majesty of the real thing. London loomed before her, swelling with promise and opportunity. The buildings were strung together, wagons and carts and carriages snaked along the road, while people bustled and hustled about. The noise outside was a cacophony. The Thames river wound across the world as well, bisecting London, and the long bridges stretched over this. It was a feast for the eyes. Orla pressed her face against the window and looked outside, her eyes darting here and there, as there was always something new to see. Glinting windows winked at her, while well-dressed men and women looked as though they came from a dream. They passed market stalls where fresh fruit and vegetables were being sold. Gaggles of children laughing gaily were flying in the air. Pigeons nipped along the ground, looking for crumbs of food. It was alive, so alive, and Orla could feel the energy surging through her. Her eyes went wide, and her heart lifted, filling her with a sensation that she had never felt before. It was as though her life before this had been nothing but a prelude to all that really mattered.

Here, in London, she was going to find her destiny. The city was teeming with people, and she was certain that one handsome, noble Englishman would win her heart. Thoughts of her home were left behind, because her future was here, and it was time to meet it.

* * *

Hamish was roused when they arrived at Edward’s townhouse. People in the streets around them looked on with intrigue at the new arrivals. Orla smiled at them, and was shocked when they scowled at her and turned away, shutting their windows as if in protest.

“Ye will get used tae it. People in London are nae as friendly as they are at home,” Nova said.

George had emerged from the house to greet them, bowing deeply as he showed them in. Just as Edward had predicted, a meal had been laid out for them upon their arrival. The scent of it wafted out into the street. Other servants rushed out and took the luggage into the townhouse. Hamish cocked an eyebrow and wore a smirk.

“Ah, Edward, what a lucky man ye are. Imagine haeing an estate in the Highlands and a townhouse in London, and with sae many staff under ye command! It’s a lavish style indeed. In fact that’s what this entire city speaks tae me. Imagine all these people living here with all these things they dinnae need,” he said, slightly shaking his head.

“What an unsophisticated thing to say,” Orla remarked. She meant to speak under her breath, but the words came out louder than she had intended, and Hamish turned to her, the weight of his gaze bearing upon her.

“Excuse me?” he retorted.

Orla was never one to hold her tongue. Some would say her father had been far too lenient with her. “Just because ye are used tae the barren way we live in the Highlands, there’s nae need tae think a wee bit of luxury is anything tae be critical of. Frankly I think the Highlands could use a wee bit of sparkle,” she said. Hamish grumbled and was about to say something in return, when Nova quickly guided Orla into the house, removing her from the conversation.

“A wild tongue like that is nae gaeing tae dae ye any favors here. People generally like women tae be polite. There are certain expectations that are required of ye.”

Orla shot her a challenging look. “And did ye meet those requirements?” she asked. She knew Nova intimately. Nova cleared her throat and looked around uneasily. Orla wore a knowing smile. There was nothing she could do that her sisters had not done before her. It was easy to break away from expectations when they were far away from the watchful gaze of their father.

“I cannae remember,” Nova responded, but her expression made it obvious she was lying. Orla was about to call her out on it, when Nova snapped her fingers and walked towards the door, calling out to the servants to bring one particular item to Orla’s chambers. The room was far smaller than the chamber in the Stewart keep, but Orla actually appreciated this because it felt like her own room, rather than a room she had shared, but had been abandoned by the other occupants. There was a narrow bed against the wall, a single window, and a dresser opposite the bed.

“Ye should turn ye mind tae other matters. There is much tae dae while ye are here, like taemorrow night, for instance. We shall be attending a ball,” Nova announced.

Orla squealed with delight. She had known of course that a ball would be in the cards, but for it to come so suddenly felt incredible for her. After all the time spent waiting, the moment had finally come!

“A ball?” she gasped.

“Aye, and I hae already picked out something for ye tae wear. I hae it made especially for ye,” Nova announced as a dress was being brought in and placed on the bed. Orla gazed it at, falling in love with it immediately. She knew she had never seen anything as beautiful as this before. It was a long, flowing dress made of soft fabric. The color was pale blue, like the Highland sky, and there were small jewels sewn into the fabric, making it shine as it caught the light. The dress was narrow at the waist and the sleeves were long, with a frilly collar to cover her neck.

“Taemorrow we shall get ye ready. London will nae know what tae dae with itself when ye make ye entrance,” Nova said, placing a hand against the small of Orla’s back. Orla couldn’t take her eyes off the dress. It was the sign of a new beginning, of the next phase of her life. London was filled with promise and she knew that she was going to leave here a different woman than she had arrived. Each thread of the dress represented a new chance she was going to have to explore new experiences. Whatever frustrations had built up inside her because of the traveling and because of Hamish had completely dissipated. She picked the dress up and hugged it close, burying her face in the fabric. She then turned and did the same to Nova, thanking her profusely for the gift.