Page 100 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
She had been foolish.
Foolish to believe that something so vast and rooted in history could ever make room for her. Foolish to think that she might step into it and be accepted at once, or ever. Foolish to think that Lachlan might?—
Her breath caught.
I cannot think of him.
She blinked once.
It all means nothing now.
She looked down at Mossie, gently stroking his fur.
“You are the only one who seems unaffected by all of this, Mossie,” she murmured, and the cat purred. “Will you not miss me when I am gone?”
A sniff sounded behind her, followed by a sharp sound, almost like a gasp.
Marian whirled around. She had forgotten for a moment that Lilly was also in the room, packing everything they had brought to Glen Carrick into trunks on the bed.
She took a look at her, her heart immediately breaking at the sullen manner in which her maid bent over the trunks.
“Lilly?”
Lilly did not look up, but her hands faltered as she hastily wiped her face. “My Lady,” she responded, though her voice trembled.
Marian stepped forward, her eyebrows drawing together as the cat shifted in her arms. “Are you feeling all right?”
Lilly shook her head quickly, still without looking up. “I am quite well, my Lady,” she said. “Just tired.”
Marian did not believe her.
She said nothing for a moment, only watched as Lilly picked up another dress and smoothed it even though it was already folded. Another soft sound escaped her. This time, she was unable to hide it.
Marian stepped closer. “Lilly.”
There was no use pretending any longer. Lilly looked up, her face red and puffy from all the tears she had been holding back.
Marian shifted the cat in her arms to free one hand and then gently reached out to lightly squeeze her shoulder. “Why are you crying?”
Lilly’s breath hitched. And just like that, whatever fragile composure she had been holding onto shattered.
“I am not well, my Lady,” she admitted, sniffling. “I do not feel well.”
Marian’s expression softened further as Lilly drew in a shuddering breath.
“I am devastated,” the maid continued, her voice trembling despite her attempt to keep it steady. “I ache in places I did not know existed within me…” Her fingers tightened around the fabric she held, twisting it slightly. “…because we are leaving.”
Marian’s gaze softened in surprise at the confession. She had been so consumed by her own heartbreak that it had notoccurred to her that Lilly might feel this differently. That she might feel anything beyond relief at the thought of returning to London.
“But…” Marian began slowly. “You were so distressed when we arrived. You wished to leave almost immediately.” She hesitated. “Why does it bother you now?”
Lilly bit her bottom lip. Her gaze dropped to the gown in her hands, though she no longer seemed to see it. “It is Finn, my Lady.”
Marian exhaled softly. “Of course.”
Lilly’s lips parted slightly, as though she had expected surprise or perhaps disapproval, but Marian offered neither.
“I am truly sorry, my dear,” she said instead, her shoulders dropping. “But we are not allowed to stay.”
