—It’s nothing, Heather replies with forced politeness, though her eyes flash. It will come out with cleaning.
—You should rinse it right away, Isobel suggests with concern. That silk will be ruined if you wait.
—I’ll show you where the nearest bathroom is, Keira offers with suspicious enthusiasm.
As they leave the room, Keira throws a glance over her shoulder that clearly says you owe me. I suppress a smile,already planning to buy my sister-in-law the most extravagant gift for her next birthday.
—Red wine is so treacherous, Ewan comments beside me. Almost as treacherous as certain ex-girlfriends, wouldn’t you say?
I can’t help but laugh, drawing a few curious looks.
—That’s true, I confirm. But unlike wine, some stains are impossible to erase.
—Are you philosophizing after your cabin adventure? he teases under his breath.
I feel my cheeks heat.
—You’re about as subtle as a herd of Highland cows, Ewan Fraser, I murmur.
—I’ll take that as a compliment, he replies with a wink. And for what it’s worth, I’ve never seen my friend as happy as he is today. Whatever happened in that cabin—and I don’t want details—it did him good.
I glance at Callum, engaged in conversation with one of the game participants, and I notice that new lightness in his expression, that subtle easing of shoulders that had always been tense since I’ve known him.
—Me too, I admit softly. It did me good too.
Dessert is served shortly after—an assortment of traditional Scottish sweets accompanied, of course, by whisky. Heather and Keira return, the former now sporting a lighter but still visible stain on her perfect dress, and a smile that grows more strained as the evening goes on.
I feel strangely detached from her bitterness now, as though what happened between Callum and me has created a protective bubble around us. Her passive-aggressive remarks and pointed comments slide off me without effect.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity of polite conversation and loaded glances, Maggie lightly taps her glass to draw attention.
—My dear friends, she announces, it is getting late, and some of you have a long journey ahead tomorrow. I suggest we allow our newlyweds to retire for the night—they must be exhausted after this eventful day.
Her mischievous gaze meets mine, and I suddenly wonder if this woman possesses psychic powers.
—Excellent idea, Grandmother, Callum agrees, rising immediately and pulling me with him. Jane needs rest after her exceptional performance in archery today.
Several coughs and muffled laughs follow this unintentionally suggestive statement.
—Among other exceptional performances, I’m sure, Ewan murmurs loudly enough for several people to hear.
We say our goodbyes, thanking the guests for their presence and promising to share breakfast with those staying the next morning. Heather watches us with an unreadable expression, her fingers tightening around the stem of her glass.
—Good night, she finally says. Rest well after such a trying day.
—Oh, we don’t intend to rest much, I reply with an innocent smile that makes Keira choke with laughter and several guests widen their eyes. The day has been so stimulating that I’m still full of energy.
Callum shoots me an admiring look before firmly guiding me toward the exit.
—You’re diabolical, Jane Carter-McGregor, he murmurs once we’re in the hallway.
—You love me like that, I shoot back confidently.
He stops abruptly, turning me to face him. His expression is serious, intense, his eyes locking onto mine with an emotion that steals my breath.
—Yes, he says simply. I love you like that. I love you, period.
My heart seems to stop, then restart at a frantic pace. Those words—so simple and yet so powerful—hang in the air between us.
