An awkward silence settles. I bite my lip, regretting my honesty. Not exactly ideal wedding dress fitting conversation.
— My father could be difficult too, Keira says suddenly.
— A brilliant man, but inflexible. Stubborn in that uniquely McGregor way, Maggie adds.
— That reminds me of someone, Keira remarks pointedly toward Isobel, who ignores her completely.
— That’s why I was so relieved when my Angus married Isobel, Maggie continues. She had the strength of character needed to balance his determination.
Isobel seems momentarily softened by the comment.
— Angus was a man of principle, she says quietly. Just like Callum.
— Sometimes too much so, Maggie sighs. He has a tendency to analyze everything, to plan everything. It’s a family trait, I’m afraid.
— The McGregors are famous for three things, Keira explains to me. Their stubbornness, their business sense, and their inability to express emotions without the help of good whisky.
I can’t help but laugh.
— That explains a lot.
— How did you convince him, Jane? Isobel suddenly asks, her piercing blue eyes fixed on me.
— I’m sorry?
— How did you convince my son—this methodical man who plans every minute of his day—to get married after only a few months of a relationship?
The question is asked calmly, but I can feel the trap closing around me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Keira sit up, ready to intervene, but I shake my head slightly to stop her. This is my battle.
— I didn’t convince him, I reply, meeting Isobel’s gaze. I simply was myself. Sometimes even the most rational people make impulsive decisions—especially when guided by their feelings.
— Their feelings, Isobel repeats slowly, clearly skeptical.
— Especially their feelings, I insist. Callum may seem cold and calculating on the surface, but in reality, he has an incredibly passionate heart.
Seeing the surprised expressions on all three women’s faces, I realize I need to be more convincing if I want this lie to hold. So I let myself lean into my own fictional story.
— Do you know what he did after our first meeting? He sent me an arrangement of Scottish wildflowers he had specially imported, with a card quoting Robert Burns. “My love is like a red, red rose, newly sprung in June…”
— “My love is like a melody, sweetly played in tune,” Maggie finishes softly, clearly moved.
I nod, surprised myself by how easily the lie comes.
— Exactly. What kind of man does that if he’s guided only by logic?
Isobel looks momentarily unsettled. Keira stares at me with a mix of admiration and amusement, as if watching a particularly entertaining performance.
— And then there was the time he called me at three in the morning, just to say he was looking at the stars and they reminded him of my eyes.
— Callum? My son? Isobel says, stunned.
— Sometimes people surprise us, I reply with a mysterious smile.
— Indeed, Maggie murmurs, watching me with a new kind of look. Indeed.
Madame Gordon finally straightens, satisfied with her work.
— There. The preliminary adjustments are done. I’ll return tomorrow for the finishing touches, after working on these alterations tonight.
