— Why is she really here, Callum?
He exhales again and moves to sit on the edge of a nearby table, close enough that I’m suddenly hyper-aware of him.
— My mother probably hinted that our marriage was rushed. Knowing Heather, she saw an opportunity.
— An opportunity for what? To win back your broken heart?
My voice comes out sharper than I intended, and I curse myself for it.
Callum watches me for a beat before answering.
— Heather isn’t interested in my heart, Jane. She’s interested in my position, my name—what being a McGregor represents. What we had was always more practical than emotional.
— Like us, then, I murmur, unable to stop the words from slipping out.
Something flickers across his face—something I can’t quite read.
— It’s not the same.
— No? A mutually beneficial arrangement? Sounds pretty similar to me.
— Ours is honest. Heather and I pretended to be something we weren’t.
I blink, surprised by the admission.
— Like we pretend to be in love?
— It’s different, he insists, pushing to his feet and stepping closer to me. We were clear from the beginning about the terms of our agreement. With Heather, we were playing at being the perfect couple, but there was never any… any…
He trails off, searching for the right word.
— Any what? I ask, my heartbeat picking up.
— Honesty, he finally says. You and I might be in an arranged marriage, but at least we’re honest with each other.
But are we, really? Am I being honest about what I’m starting to feel? Is he?
The library door opens again, and Heather appears, her timing—as always—flawless.
— Ah, there you both are, she says with a carefully measured smile. I was wondering where you’d disappeared to.
Her eyes sweep over us, no doubt taking in our closeness, the intensity of our conversation.
— Sorry to interrupt, she continues. Callum, darling, could I steal a few minutes? I’d love to show you the restoration plans for the museum.
Her gaze shifts to me.
— Dreadfully dull matters, Jane. I’m sure you’d prefer to keep yourself occupied…
— Actually, Callum cuts in before I can speak, my wife is usually included in all my business discussions.
The word “wife” echoes through the room like a declaration.
— Oh? Heather says, her smile faltering just slightly. Even when it concerns Scottish heritage? I assumed that was still unfamiliar territory for her.
— Jane adapts quickly, Callum replies, stepping closer to me. And her outside perspective is often valuable.
I glance at him, stunned by this unexpected show of support. A few weeks ago, he would never have included me in a professional conversation.
