Page 69 of The Tartan Trap

“It was a long time ago.” Even as she said the words, she realized the truth of them. Margaret felt ashamed for allowing something from almost fifteen years ago affect her so deeply.

“I’m sorry that you thought I was capable of something similar,” he said.

She shook her head. “It’s silly, now that I say it aloud. Truthfully, I wouldn’t blame you if this entire misunderstanding made you think less of me.”

“It makes me want to throttle John Knope is what it does. And perhaps I shall, if I ever meet him.”

“Oh, don’t,” she said quickly. “He’s matured into quite a pleasant young man. He’s married to a lovely young lady who’s even fatter than I am, and they have two adorable children already.”

Callum stopped short in the center of the pathway. Margaret realized her error immediately and flushed.

“You are not fat, Margaret,” he said sternly. “And even if you were, I daresay you’d still be stunningly beautiful.”

Margaret cast around for something to say, but her words were jumbled and she couldn’t put them in order quickly enough. Thankfully, Callum didn’t seem to need a response. After a moment he chuckled.

“What is it?” She looked up at him curiously.

“Just thinking of our tea with the regrettable Mr. Beetlesby. Your treatment of me makes much more sense now.”

Margaret shook her head. “I confess I was trying to push you away. I thought if I paid better attention to a gentleman other than you, you might lose interest.”

“Of course I wasn’t going to let Mr. Beetlesby drive me from your presence.” He said the name disdainfully, as if someone had just offered him a boiled boot for his supper.

“Again, I must apologize…”

“Must you?” Callum arched an eyebrow. “For I am of the firm opinion that once a sincere apology has been made and accepted, there’s not much left to do but to laugh at the aftermath of the misunderstanding.”

“That’s a very generous view, considering.”

“Besides, I might have been jealous if you hadn’t called him by a different name several times.”

“I didn’t.” Margaret blinked. “Did I?”

He chuckled. “First it was Mr. Beet, then Bleet, then Mr. Beetles. It was all I could do not to laugh. And the fellow was so bewildered because you certainly acted interested. But how interested could a lady be when she wasn’t even able to remember one’s name correctly?”

“No one explained how difficult flirting could be.”

“Is that what you were attempting?” His eyebrows flew upward and he grinned. “I daresay it had the desired effect until you started crying.”

“My eyes stung,” she said defensively. “Someone told me to make as much eye contact as possible to let a gentleman know that I was interested. I was trying to get you to go away.”

Callum laughed until a reluctant smile appeared on her face. Margaret had to admit that, in retrospect, the entire thing had been ridiculous.

“Margaret, I want to know you more,” he said earnestly. “I want to court you properly.”

Margaret suppressed the urge to shush him. The morning was waning on, and a pair of gentlemen walked the same path. They might hear him.

But why should I care if they do? she thought.

“Fine.” She straightened her back in sudden determination. “You may court me. I’ll even participate in the process moving forward.”

“I'm thrilled to hear it. Truly. However, may I make a gentle suggestion?”

Margaret raised an eyebrow in invitation. She had used all her courage in saying that Callum might court her.

“In the future,” he said, “if you have a charge against me, will you please bring it to me immediately?”

“Of course; that’s only fair.” Margaret inclined her head. “I fear that I would have gained the courage sooner if it hadn’t involved Daisy.”