Page 46 of Wild Scottish Fortune

“It really is, Orla. You should wear it down more often.” Lia peered at me in the mirror.

“Safety hazard at work.”

“I get it. I wear a bandana most days to cover mine,” Lia agreed. “But this style really suits you. It’s just so pretty. You look like a real princess.”

I laughed. I was certainly anything but.

“I feel like I’m getting the princess treatment, that’s for sure.”

“Just wait until you have your dress on. As annoying as it is, Willow knocked it out of the park.”

I do look like a princess.

It was the first thought I had when I looked in the mirror after Lia had helped zip me into the dress. I stared at my reflection, not knowing this woman, unaware that I could even look this way.

Thiswoman? Well,shewas beautiful. An ethereal flower, blooming at midnight, poised to catch a dewdrop on her petals.

She was notme. There was no way this image connected to aching muscles, sawdust-covered hair, and slivers in my palms. It was the most disconnected I’d ever felt from myself, and I stepped forward, staring into the tall mirror.

Willow had gone simple, erring on the side of elegant and sleek, seeming to understand that too much pomp and circumstance would have sent me running for the hills. Emerald-green silk highlighted my ginger curls that cascaded over my shoulders and down the back where the dress dipped low. Cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and a figure-skimming bias cut showcased my body, but the silk drifted across my skin and wasn’t too restrictive. I turned, looking to my back, admiring how the skirt fell in a few soft flounces, tucked artfully into the material, and ended just at the floor. The dress was stunning, but it was also comfortable, and for that I was grateful. I loved wearing my overalls all day because they allowed me ease of movement, and there was nothing about this dress that made me feel uneasy or restricted.

Aside from the fact that I didn’t know who I was in it.

Two thin plaits held my hair back from my temples, and the makeup artist had done something fancy to my eyes, making them look larger, and my skin looked luminous and glowing against my dress.

“Tinted lip balm.” The makeup artist handed me a tube of lipstick. “You don’t need a lot of color on your lips and if you’re not used to wearing lipstick, this is a better option. Just touch up through the night.”

“Thank you.” I tucked it in the matching handbag thatWillow had made to go with the gown and took a deep breath, turning as Lia walked into the room.

“Oh, Lia. That’s such a good dress for you.”

“Isn’t it? And she did put a damn ruffle on it, but I can’t say I mind.”

It was the tiniest of ruffles at the hem, a light touch of whimsy, and the blush pink highlighted Lia’s dusky skin and made her look both elegant and extremely sexy.

“Munroe’s going to swallow his tongue.”

“I hope so. I feel kind of naked in this dress. But in a good way, you know?”

I shrugged not knowing how to answer that, just knowing that Lia literally glowed in the dress. She was going to make a beautiful bride when she did get married. Lia crossed the room and stood next to me in the mirror.

“We look damn good. These men are lucky to have us.”

“Och, it’s not like that. Finlay doesn’t have me.” My cheeks pinkened and I turned from my reflection, drawing a slow breath in to steady my nerves.

“Well, you know what I mean. To have us on their arms. And Munroe definitely will get to have me later if I can get him to keep his hands off me once he sees this dress. He’s going to love it.”

“If you disappear for a certain amount of time, I’ll cover for you.”

“Could you imagine?” Lia threw her head back and laughed. “Munroe’s way too proper to steal away in the middle of a fancy function, but I’ll know what he’s thinking.”

“You two are so cute together.”

“Thank you. I’m lucky to have found him.” Lia paused and then closed her mouth, shaking her head once.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing. I just want you to enjoy yourself tonight. Don’t put any…rules on anything, you know? Just have fun. You look too gorgeous not to.”

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