Chapter 17

Tess was alone. Aiden had already gone downstairs to see to his guests. She sat at her dressing table with a brush in her hands, unsure whether she was tending her hair or merely drawing out the moment. The chamber lay quiet, wrapped in that particular early evening stillness of the estate. From below drifted only faint sounds of the gathering in the lower salon. Muted laughter. A woman’s voice. Now and then, the soft clink of glasses. She was used to staying upstairs, enclosed within her safe space. But tonight felt different. Perhaps it was the secret passage she had been given that day. Or perhaps it was the way Aiden had watched her by the river. She did not know. She only knew she wanted to do something for him. Something more. Simply for him.

She set the brush aside, rose, and went to the wardrobe. She searched for something suitable. Not too striking, yet not purely domestic. She chose a simple, light-colored gown with a modest neckline and short sleeves. She stood before the mirror for a long while. Her face was pale but calm. Her hair hung loose, and she smoothed a few strands behind her ear. Then she dressed. Every movement was slow, careful. She straightened the fabric, sat to put on her shoes, then removed them at once. Bare feet gave her an odd sense of certainty. In the end, she slipped them on again. She paced the chamber, checking her appearance more than once. She took a deep breath and opened the door.