Callum nodded once, without hesitation. “It will be done,” he said simply. “I’ll see her delivered safely, and I’ll make certain Cameron understands the weight of it.”
James gave a brief nod, though his mind was already elsewhere, drifting again where he did not wish it to go.
Callum studied him for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. “And what of Miss Eloise?” he asked carefully. “What is to be done now?”
James exhaled slowly, turning away as he moved toward the window. Outside, the courtyard bustled with life, but it felt distant, removed from the turmoil within him.
“I have a confession to make,” he said at last, his voice quieter than before.
Callum blinked, clearly taken aback. “A confession?”
James gave a humorless huff. “Aye… though it sits ill with me to admit it.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I was meant to protect her, nothin' more,” he said, staring out at the fading light. “Keep her safe from Drummond until the man found another bride, and then send her on her way.”
Callum said nothing, waiting.
“But somewhere along the way,” James continued, his voice roughening, “I lost sight of that purpose.” He turned then, meeting Callum’s gaze fully. “I have fallen for her.”
“Well,” Callum said slowly, “there is truth for ye… I didnae expect that.”
“Nor did I,” James muttered, pacing now, restless energy driving him forward. “It wasnae meant to happen. I fought it, told meself it was nothing but desire, but…” He trailed off, frustration flickering across his face.
“But it isnae,” Callum finished quietly.
James stopped, letting out a sharp breath. “Nay. It isnae.”
“Then I suppose it is me turn to confess somethin' as well,” Callum said.
James glanced at him, curiosity breaking through his turmoil. “What is it?” he asked.
Callum hesitated only briefly before speaking. “I loved her,” he said simply. “Yer sister, Jenny.”
James went utterly still. “What?” his voice sharp with shock.
Callum held his gaze, steady despite the weight of the admission. “I never spoke of it,” he said. “It wasnae me place.”
James shook his head, disbelief etched into every line of his face. “Why did ye never say anythin'?” he demanded.
Callum gave a small, almost sad smile. “Because she was yer sister,” he said plainly. “Destined to be wed to a man of wealth and standin'. I am nothing but a man-at-arms.”
James stared at him, something shifting deep within his chest, something heavy and long-buried.
“Ye are never ‘nothin',” he said firmly. “I would have been honored to call ye me brother.”
Callum’s expression softened, the words clearly striking deeper than he expected. “That means more to me than ye ken,” he said quietly. “But it wouldnae have changed what was decided for her.”
James turned away again, his thoughts spiraling, guilt rising sharp and familiar. “I failed her,” he said, his voice low. “I should have stopped that marriage. Me word carried weight. I could have ended it.”
Callum stepped forward, his tone firm but not unkind. “Aye, perhaps ye could have,” he said. “But ye didnae ken what would come of it. None of us did.”
James clenched his fists, the old wound reopening. “And now she’s gone,” he said bitterly. “Because I chose the clan over her.”
Callum’s gaze sharpened. “Daenae make the same mistake again,” he said quietly.
James looked up at him, startled. “What do ye mean?”
Callum held his gaze. “Jenny made her choice,” he said. “She believed it was for the good of the clan, and she paid dearly for it. But that doesnae mean ye must spend the rest of yer days alone, punishin' yerself for what’s already done. Miss Eloise isnae Jenny. And what happened to yer sister willnae happen to her.”
