She turns to Keira.
— Keira, my dear… that T-shirt is… colorful.
— Isn’t it? Keira beams. I thought it might brighten the mood. You know, to compensate for certain presences that tend to darken the atmosphere.
I nearly choke, while Callum clears his throat loudly. Isobel shoots her daughter a glare, but Heather remains perfectly composed.
— Still as direct as ever, Keira.
Jamison announces that tea is served, and we all move out onto the terrace. I end up seated between Keira—thank you, seating gods—and Maggie, while Heather is strategically placed between Isobel and Callum.
It feels like a chess match. With scones.
— So, Jane, Heather begins after polite weather talk (apparently mandatory in Scotland), I understand you’re an actress in Hollywood?
She saysactressandHollywoodlike they’re contagious diseases.
— That’s right, I reply. Mostly supporting roles, but I’ve had some interesting projects.
— Fascinating. I’ve always admired people who devote their lives to pretending to be someone else.
Ouch. First point to Lady Perfect.
— Well, not all of us inherit titles and trust funds, I shoot back smoothly. Some of us have to work for a living.
Keira nearly snorts into her tea, while Callum looks at me with something like surprise—and admiration. Heather, however, doesn’t flinch.
— Of course. I completely understand. My work with the foundation is quite demanding as well. We preserve Scottish cultural heritage—something essential to families like the McGregors.
She places a delicate hand on Callum’s arm, and suddenly I’m considering testing my aim with a fork as a projectile.
— Callum has always been so generous with our foundation, she adds. He understands the importance of protecting our shared heritage.
Ourshared heritage.
Every word is a carefully aimed dagger. And suddenly I feel it—what she wants me to feel. That I don’t belong. That I’m an outsider.
— Heather leads the Celtic artifacts conservation department, Isobel adds proudly. Her work is remarkable.
— Really? I ask, genuinely curious despite myself. What kind of artifacts?
Heather hesitates, just slightly.
— Jewelry, ritual objects, manuscripts, primarily. We recently acquired a collection of ninth-century Celtic brooches—absolutely fascinating.
— I’d love to hear more, I say.
— Jane has always had an interest in history, Callum adds, glancing at me in a way I can’t quite read. Haven’t you, darling?
Thatdarlingnearly makes me choke.
— Absolutely, sweetheart, I reply sweetly, enjoying his flicker of surprise. Ancient civilizations are fascinating.
— Well, you should visit our museum in Edinburgh, Heather suggests. Callum could take you. He knows it very well, don’t you, Cal?
Cal.
Cal.
