Page 9

6

The shopkeeper came to greet them, and once Hannah announced whom they had been sent by, a look of delight came upon the shopkeeper’s face.

“I hope ye dinnae mind selling tae a Highlander,” Orla said, with a challenging smile on her face.

“As long as the money is good, I don’t mind whom I sell to,” the shopkeeper replied. He was an older man with a gentle voice and a way of moving that was fluid and graceful. “What are you looking for today?” he asked.

“I am attending a ball taenight, and I would like a pair of shoes that will dazzle,” Orla stated.

“I’m sure we can find something to suit you,” he said, and then turned to Hamish. “Is there anything I can get for the gentleman as well?”

“I dinnae think sae. These hae served me well sae far,” Hamish answered, glancing down at his boots. The shopkeeper followed his glance, and wore a look of mild disgust upon seeing the boots.

“Certainly, sir,” he agreed politely. “If you happen to change your mind, then please just let me know,” he said, and then focused his attention on Orla. He took her to a seat and then bent down to slip her shoes off. The feeling of his gentle touch upon her feet tickled, and she had to suppress a laugh. He fetched a number of different pairs of shoes for her to try on, and she was quite happy to spend the entire day there if required. The shoes were all so magnificent that she found it difficult to choose which pair was the best, and in the end, she could not decide, so she bought three pairs, hoping to decide later. Besides, she thought, she was going to be in London for a month, so one pair of shoes wouldn’t be enough anyway.

She asked the opinions of Hamish and Hannah as well, but did not find them very helpful. Hamish offered shrugs and grunts, as though every pair of shoes were the same. Hannah seemed to like everything, which while flattering, was just as unhelpful. Still, Orla chose some shoes that she thought were pretty. One pair was white, with small jewels stitched into a pattern. They shimmered as she moved her feet. They were a little tight, but she could not resist getting them. Another pair was more comfortable. They had flat soles and were black. The third pair had a heel that increased her height and clacked against the ground. These made her feel elegant and stately.

After buying the shoes, Orla thought about what else she would need. Although she was proud to wear her mother’s bracelet, she thought that she would need to add some more sparkling jewelry to her collection, so she perused a number of different necklaces and rings, spending hours trying them on. She was so entranced by all that she was wearing, she didn’t notice when Hamish slipped out of the door to go and wait outside.

* * *

Hamish leaned his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was quite certain that there was nothing as interminably dull as spending a day moving from shop to shop. Edward had sent him here under the order of keeping an open mind and learning as much as possible, but he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to learn. There was nobody talking about business, only women chattering about idle gossip, and he had no interest in this at all. At least Orla had softened, he thought. She had been abrasive from the first moment they had met, and he had been dreading the idea of spending the day with her. In fact, this entire trip was something from a nightmare. His business was in the Highlands, what could he possibly learn in London?

He looked down at his scuffed boots, which had collected dirt from the London streets. His head ached because of the incessant noise. There was nowhere he could go for peace.

Orla puzzled him. He did not understand how she could adore this place when the Highlands were so much better. There, he had space in which to ride, vast valleys and fields in which to lose himself, and deep forests, where he could enjoy the beauty of nature. Here, the buildings were all the same, ugly things that blotted out the horizon. In the Highlands people were friendly and humble, ready with a smile, unlike London, where everything seemed like a nuisance. Even the people that passed him seemed to be annoyed with him just for standing there. People weren’t paying attention and didn’t take note of his long, wide feet, so they ended up stumbling. He ended up having to apologize to them over and over again.

At one point, two men were walking along, and one of them caught his cane on Hamish’s foot. Hamish apologized, and when the man noticed his tone, he turned and offered Hamish a sharp gaze.

“Perhaps it would be wise for you to return to your homeland. We don’t need your kind down here. There are already too many of you in England as it is,” he said, and walked away, chuckling with his friend. Hamish was taken aback by the brazen way the words had been said. His fists clenched beside him and he was tempted to march after the man, grab his shoulder, and beat some manners into him. The man had already disappeared into the undulating crowd, however, and Hamish knew that Edward would not have approved of such a scene of violence. It wouldn’t have done the reputation of the Highlands any good either. He would simply have to grit his teeth and hope that the month would pass swiftly.

He sighed as he thought about the ball later on that night. What he really wanted was to stay in the townhouse and read. What good could come from attending a ball?

The door opened, and Orla came out with a couple of boxes filled with jewelry. Hannah was carrying the shoe boxes and now had to try and balance the new ones as well. Hamish took pity on the maid and took the boxes from her, despite her protestations.

“Shall we head back tae the carriage now?” he asked.

Orla laughed. “I’ve only just begun,” she said.

Hamish’s heart sank, and he bowed his head in defeat as he followed her to yet another shop that would be filled with frivolous and unimportant things. It seemed like such a pointless way to spend the day, and Hamish couldn’t help but wonder if Edward was punishing him for some reason.

* * *

Orla had bought boxes upon boxes of things. She had purchased enough accessories to attend a ball every night, but if there was ever a time to indulge herself, then it was now. Hamish loped behind her and Hannah, weighed down by the boxes that he had offered to carry. She felt a little sorry for him, as it was clear that this wasn’t how he wanted to spend his time. It was the equivalent of her having to sit in on a day of business meetings. But Hamish had been quiet, he hadn’t complained or muttered about it, and she appreciated this. She wanted to find some way to make him enjoy the day as well. She was sure that if he just gave himself the chance to enjoy London, then his mood would improve.

They came across one final shop, and Orla suggested they enter.

“Are ye sure they’re gaeing tae hae anything for ye?” Hamish asked, for in the shop window, only male suits were displayed.

“We’re nae at this one for me. Ye should get something for yeself as well. It’s nae right that ye should spend all day shopping and nae return with a thing.”

“But I dinnae need anything.”

“Sometimes shopping is nae about what ye need, but what ye want.”

“But I could nae take money from Edward without asking.”

“Oh dinnae worry about him. He said I could hae whatever I want, and I want ye tae hae a suit. Besides, I’m sure he will want ye tae look ye best at the ball taenight. Ye dinnae want tae look like ye are ready tae herd sheep,” she joked, flashing a playful smile in his direction. Before he could protest any longer, Hannah opened the door and they entered. The tailor came up to them, and Orla told him that they required the finest suit for a ball that evening. At first, Hamish was reluctant to like anything, but then the tailor presented a deep-blue suit with a crisp white shirt. It looked fine, and even Hamish was unable to stop himself from falling in love with it.