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Orla was tired out from the journey from the Highlands. It amazed her just how tired she was actually, considering she hadn’t ridden a horse at all. Instead, after the quick meal she could still feel the lulling motion of the carriage coaxing her to sleep, and she had gladly fallen into the softness of the new sheets. As she lay there, waiting for slumber to come upon her, she listened outside to the lively streets of London. It was far different to the silent nights in the Highlands, where sometimes the only company was the wind. Here, there were people scuffling about the streets and cats screeching, as well as bottles rolling along the uneven cobbles, creating a chaotic melody. She slept with a smile on her face, eager to meet the coming day and fully throw herself into London life.

When dawn rose, and golden rays spread into the room, they caressed Orla’s cheeks with warmth. She opened her eyes slowly and yawned, quickly getting up to get dressed for breakfast. The stairs of the townhouse creaked as she descended to the ground floor. Cutlery clinked together and the fragrance of hot tea drifted through the air. Nova and Edward were waiting for her. As she entered the room, they were lost in an intimate moment, nuzzling their noses together and whispering lovers’ secrets to each other. Orla gracefully slipped into a chair and they leaned back, although they still kept their hands clasped together on the surface of the table.

Orla looked at the feast spread before them. The old butler, George, was standing in the corner of the room, looking over everything to make sure there was nothing amiss. When Orla took a slice of toast and then emptied a pot of jam, smearing it across the toast, George immediately collected the pot and had it refilled. The jam was sweet and flavorful, the toast thick and crunchy.

“Did you sleep well, Orla? I hope the streets of London did not prove to be too noisy for you,” Edward said.

“Oh nae, I loved it! Everything here seems sae alive. Sometimes I feel as though the Highlands are asleep, just waiting tae wake up. But that’s nae the case here.”

“Indeed, sometimes some people don’t sleep at all,” Edward chuckled.

“I would nae want tae meet those types of people,” Nova said, flashing a teasing smile towards Edward, who just smirked and took a long sip of his tea. Orla tucked into more food when she heard lumbering footsteps approaching the room. There was a groan as Hamish appeared. His hair was tousled, and his eyes were almost completely shut. He yawned and groaned again, looking much the worse for wear. He staggered to the table and pulled out a chair, collapsing into it rather than sitting. He collected a bowl of porridge and Orla noticed how he didn’t even add anything to it. She didn’t understand how he could have something so bland and tasteless when there were so many other delicious things to choose from.

“Morning, Hamish,” Edward said, “did you not sleep well?”

Hamish groaned again and shook his head. “I could nae sleep with that din outside. I hae half a mind tae walk out there and yell at London tae be quiet. How can anyone get any thinking done around here? I twisted and turned, but nae matter what I did, I could nae shut it out. I dinnae how people can stand it.”

“You get used to it. It all fades into the background eventually, if you stay here long enough,” Edward replied. Hamish snorted in a way that suggested he wasn’t going to stay there any longer than was necessary. Orla shook her head quietly. She was trying to take Nova’s advice to heart, and did not wish to interfere in Edward’s business. Edward had always been kind to her, and this was clearly important to him. She intended to remain quiet whenever Hamish was around, but in her mind she was utterly dumbfounded at how Hamish could feel this way about London. His attitude was exactly the reason why she wanted an Englishman. They were so much more adventurous, eager to broaden their horizons, while also displaying a curiosity about the world. She shuddered when she thought about what life Hamish was leading. How dull it would be, perhaps as bland as the porridge.

“Well, anyway, I hope that we’re all looking forward to the ball tonight,” Edward clapped his hands together as he said this, and poured himself another cup of tea, dipping a sugarloaf into the cup.

“I cannae wait,” Orla said, an excited gleam in her eyes.

“What dae ye mean ‘all’?” Hamish asked with a wary gaze. Orla noticed that his bowl of porridge was almost completely empty now.

“You need to attend as well,” Edward stated. Orla felt puzzled by the look on Hamish’s face. It was as though he was a hunted animal that had just realized it was trapped. The color drained from his cheeks, and he dropped his spoon into the bowl. It made a loud rattling sound.

“Ye never said anything about attending a ball,” Hamish protested. His voice had been stripped of its usual strength. Instead of being a low bellow, it was a hollow, reedy thing.

“I told you that you would need to meet with important people while in London. I’m sure your father must have told you that business is as much about people, as it is about goods and trade routes, figures and coin.”

“Aye… aye he hae, but I’m nae sure he went tae any balls.” Hamish had pulled out a handkerchief and was gently pressing it against his brow.

“It’s an important part of London culture. The social calendar here is always filled with balls, and people from all walks of life attend, including those who have the means to improve a business’ standing. It’s an opportunity that you simply cannot afford to miss. Anyone who does so, is sadly left behind, and I know your father would be disappointed to hear that you lacked the instinct required.”

“Aye, he would at that,” Hamish agreed. He placed the handkerchief back in his pocket, and when his hand fell to the surface of the table again, it had curled into a fist. “It just took me by surprise, that’s all. I assumed that we would be meeting these men in gentlemen’s clubs.”

“Oh of course we shall, but we can’t miss out on these balls, either. I’m sure that you will enjoy yourself. They are always festive occasions,” Edward suggested. Hamish begrudgingly agreed, although there was a look of disbelief on his face.

Orla pouted. Once again Hamish was being shoehorned into proceedings, and she had no doubt that his misery was going to taint the night. It seemed as though she was not going to get her wish of barely seeing him. She dearly hoped that the people of London were not going to think all Highlanders were like him. Before she could say anything though, Nova noticed her expression.

“Perhaps taeday ye could explore London and buy some accessories for ye outfit taenight. Ye could use some new shoes, and perhaps something pretty tae put in ye hair. There is nae shortage of shops in London. I’m sure ye will find something that ye like,” Nova said.

Orla smiled at the thought of exploring London. Her excitement was marred, though, by Edward.

“And Hamish shall be your chaperone,” he added.

“What?” Orla and Hamish blurted in unison, the same look of shock mirrored on their faces. It was the first time they had been in agreement with each other.

“I know better than anyone how unsafe London can be for a young woman who goes about without a chaperone. Since I doubt Hamish is going to take it upon himself to engage in your surroundings, it seems like the perfect pairing. Hamish, while you are escorting Orla around town, I expect you to observe as much as you can. Take note of how people interact, and make sure that nobody dishonors Orla. Watch out for men of ill intent, for they are always looking to prey on some unsuspecting girl.”

“But-” Hamish began to protest.

“If you are going to be trusted with a business, then you need to be trusted with people as well. Responsibility is key,” Edward asserted.

Hamish looked ashen, and Orla wasn’t much better.

“I’m sure there must be someone else, more suited tae escort me. I doubt Hamish will want tae spend his time looking around the same shops as I dae,” Orla protested.

“Hamish is going to have to learn that sometimes one has to feign interest in order to charm people. This is the easiest solution for all involved,” Edward concluded. Orla didn’t think so at all, but when she looked pleadingly towards Nova, Nova turned her eyes away. There were some matters in which Edward could not be swayed, and this was apparently one of them.

Once again, her joyful heart was deflated at the thought of spending more time with Hamish. Edward had made it clear that his word was final, and he swiftly shifted the subject of conversation onto something else. Hamish pursed his lips and was downcast, while Orla tried not to pout too much, as she knew that Nova would be angry at her for making things difficult. After all, she thought, it was still a kind gesture for Edward to allow her to go into London and shop for accessories, and she should not be so ungrateful as to be petulant about it. Part of her wondered if she was being tested just as Hamish was; perhaps they were trying to make her annoyed, to see how she handled being demure and polite, for when she was married, she would certainly have to be a little less brash than she usually was, especially if she married a distinguished Englishman.

She quickly finished up her breakfast and then excused herself from the dining table, wanting to spend a few moments alone to compose herself before she had to spend the better part of the day with Hamish. As she left the room, she turned to look back on the scene. There was something about the way the light hit Hamish that took her by surprise. Her heart fluttered of its own accord, for he was really quite handsome. She shook the thought from her mind though, and rushed back to her chamber, clenching her jaw at what was to come. She would have to make it clear to Nova that she was not going to spend the entire ball beside Hamish, for she feared that was what Edward had in mind. He could ruin the journey down to England, and he could ruin her day of shopping, but she would be damned before she let him ruin the ball itself. Instead of thinking about Hamish, she instead allowed her thoughts to stray towards lighter feelings, feelings of happiness and hope, of being taken away in the arms of handsome men, and dancing with them through the night, of spinning and twirling away, of looking into the eyes of the man she was going to marry.

It was finally happening, and although she was eager to go shopping, part of her wished that it could be over already, so that she could attend the ball itself. The reputation of these events loomed large in her mind after the stories she had heard from her sisters. Both of them had spoken of the importance and the grandeur of these balls. They were an essential part of London society, and so much hinged upon them. It was where lives could be changed, where destinies could be found, and where love could blossom. They were classy and sophisticated and far, far superior to the common feasts that could be found in the Highlands. It was going to be a unique experience, and while Hamish would probably scowl and roll his eyes and be singularly unimpressed with proceedings, she would meet the event with a welcoming smile.

Soon enough, she knew she wouldn’t have to think about Hamish at all, for there would be another man filling her heart and soul. She did not know who that would be yet, but she was certain he was out there, waiting for her. In some narrow lane in London there was a dashing man slicking back his hair and laughing, not knowing that tonight he was going to meet a beautiful Highland maid who was ready to give herself to love and liberty, and in doing so, both their lives would be changed.

The thought filled Orla with so much excitement, that she almost burst.