Page 24 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
Marian beamed, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “Now that we’re on the topic, shall we have breakfast as well? I missed it yesterday.”
Lachlan paused for a moment, holding her gaze. “Ah…” He raised his hand slightly. “Young Jamie mentioned it. Ye requested a meal before dawn.”
“Of course! It is the most important meal. I cannot imagine that a household?—”
“Clan,” he cut her off, and she swallowed, returning her attention to the path ahead.
Once they arrived at the main doors to the castle, Lachlan straightened and cleared his throat. “I’ll inform Mrs. MacBride of yer… request. But ye’ll have yer breakfast alone.”
CHAPTER NINE
“Lilly!” Her laughter filled her bedchamber as her maid held up her chestnut-brown hair. “I cannot possibly wear my hair like that.”
Lilly laughed softly, letting her hair fall down her back. She ran her fingers through it, gently separating the curls.
“I was only trying something new,” she said, a small smile playing on her lips as she untangled the ends with a long wooden comb. “It looked better in my head.”
Marian glanced at her through the mirror, her eyebrows arching with curiosity. “And since when have you taken to experimenting with my hair?” she asked.
Lilly grinned, placing the comb gently on the small vanity. “I thought I might try something I saw the clanswomen do,” she admitted. “Though I cannot say I’ve got it quite right.”
Marian turned to face her. “A Highland hairstyle?” Her eyes lit up. “Well then, I suppose I must let you try it.”
Lilly nodded, parting her hair gently down the middle. Her fingers worked slowly, taking smaller sections of hair as she braided down each side.
“You must tell me if I pull too tight, my Lady,” she said.
Marian watched her in amusement through the small mirror. “It feels just fine.”
The style was starting to take shape—two plaits down her back, with dainty curls falling around her face.
“My Lady,” Lilly started as she brushed a curl from her face. “Did you truly go out of the castle this morning?”
Marian’s lips curled up. She sat upright as Lilly pinned up the plaits, moving them around to make sure they sat right at the back of her hair.
“Yes, but only to the courtyard,” she replied. “It was lovely.”
Lilly smiled back at her through the mirror as she adjusted some of the strands at the front.
“You should explore the estate today,” Marian added, once she caught a hint of longing in her maid’s eyes. “It is a fine afternoon.”
The poor girl truly enjoyed the outdoors, but since their arrival, she hadn’t stepped out of the castle.
Lilly’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “And what about you, my Lady?”
Marian stood up.
Lilly held the mirror in her hands, and Marian moved closer to see her hair more clearly.
The style was simple and effective. Save for the few curls Lilly had intentionally left out, it held most of her hair out of her face and accentuated her features.
She smiled, satisfied with how it turned out.
“It is indeed beautiful, Lilly,” she praised, twirling a curl around her finger.
“No, my Lady. You are too modest,” Lilly said, placing the mirror back in its original position. “It is your face that makes it so.”
“Ah.” Marian waved her hand. “Go, Lilly, you can have the entire afternoon to yourself.”
