Page 34 of Highland Yule
Chapter Eleven
Aunt Brighid chattedaway while she brushed Rona’s hair, but she barely heard a thing. All she could do was stare at the ring resting on the vanity. Her tears had finally dried, but her emotions remained conflicted. Part of her was sad, another angry, and then there was pure joy.
A sense of elation she was not sure she should feel.
“Ye havenae heard a word I have said, aye?” Brighid met her eyes. “So what are ye going to do?”
She blinked and tore her attention from the ring. “I dinnae know.”
“Well, that is a tad bit better than not marrying the lad.” Brighid resumed brushing and announced yet again, precisely what she thought of the matter. “Love like this comes along but once in a lifetime. Ye’d be a fool to turn it away.”
“And what makes ye such an expert on love?” She arched her brows at her aunt, hinting. “Unless, of course, ye’ve experienced it firsthand?”
Brighid looked skyward. “Would ye listen to my advice if I had in fact experienced love?”
“’Tis more likely.”
“How much more likely?”
Rona narrowed her eyes. “Somewhat.”
“Not good enough.” Brighid shook her head. “If ye swear ye’ll take my advice, I’ll tell ye the truth of it. I will tell ye my deepest secret.”
Rona rolled her eyes and shook her head. “’Tis no secret that ye love Aaron.”
Brighid huffed. “What makes ye think that’s my deepest secret?”
“Ha,” she exclaimed, smiling. “So yedolove him!”
Her aunt scowled and shook her head. “What do secrets and lovin’ Aaron have to do with each other?”
“They are one and the same.” She grinned. “Ye just got turned around in yer own set-up.”
“Aye, mayhap.” Brighid winked. “But at least yer bonny smile has returned.” She urged Rona to stand so she could look her over. “And a dress like this deserves its owner to be verra happy indeed.”
The garment was exceptional. Cinched at the waist with gold material, the arms and skirt were flowy, and the material so fine it barely made a sound when she moved.
