Page 35 of A Highland Family Affair

‘But what if I’d chosen something that depicted London or something like that? Wouldn’t it have ruined your plan?’

He smiled and his eyes twinkled in the lamplight. ‘Ah, but you wouldn’t have been able to.’

‘What do you mean? He doesn’t just paint locations on Skye. I’ve seen his website.’

‘I’ve been speaking to Reid for weeks. All those times I ducked off to do… whatever I said I was doing, I was making a plan. He knew what date we were coming, and he knew to only have his paintings of Skye on display.’

Olivia gasped. ‘Wow, you did all that for me?’

He moved so that he was propped on his elbow gazing down at her. ‘Olivia, I would do anything for you. I hope you know that. And now we have our special place, our “Somewhere Only We Know”. Even though technically loads of others know it, we know it for our very own, very personal reasons. No one can take that away from us.’

She smiled up at him, wondering how on earth she had got so darn lucky.

Realising she had looked at the stunning ring on her finger but hadn’t really examined it, she held up her hand and let it twinkle in the light of the bedside lamp. ‘This is absolutely beautiful, Brodie.’ It was a 1920s square-cut diamond and marcasite ring that somehow looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. ‘I feel like I’ve seen it before…’

‘It was your grandmother’s,’ Brodie told her, taking her hand to examine the ring. ‘The one you were named after. Innes gave me it under strict instructions that your grandmother had insisted you wore this when you were betrothed.’ He chuckled. ‘Your grandmother’s words, via your uncle.’

Olivia’s heart skipped as she remembered. ‘Yes! That’s where I’ve seen it! She’s wearing it in her portrait back at the castle! It’s absolutely perfect.’

‘I think it makes things extra special, don’t you? Now you just need to locate your mum’s dress in the attic and see if it fits.’

Olivia gasped. ‘But the painting you commissioned. You’re not supposed to see me in the dress before the big day.’

He pulled her to him. ‘It’s a painting, I don’t think it counts. Now, changing the subject not so subtly, what did you think about Ruby’s ideas for the castle as a film set?’

‘Honestly? I’m concerned there would be a lot of upheaval. We already have the public roaming our garden and house. But a film crew…’

‘Think of it, though, Liv, the money could go towards some more ventures for the castle. The barn renovations for your studio, maybe?’

He had a good point. ‘I think we should listen to what they have to say when they get in touch… if they get in touch. Drumblair might not even be what they’re looking for. I suppose we’ll need to wait and see.’

‘Well, I’m glad you’re thinking about it at least. But ultimately it’s your decision and I’ll support you, whichever way you choose to go. Now come here and kiss me, fiancée.’ He pulled her body beneath him, sending shocks of desire through her veins and a flutter of excitement, knowing this was the start of the next phase of their future together.

The following morning, Olivia awoke to sunlight streaming in through the windows where the curtains had been opened. She turned to find Brodie gazing down at her, his head propped on his hand.

‘At last. Good morning, beautiful,’ he said with a kiss to her forehead. ‘I selfishly opened the curtains, hoping you’d wake up.’

‘Good morning, handsome. Did you sleep well?’

He smiled. ‘I haven’t slept that well in a very long time. I think the adrenaline of planning all this has kept me from sleeping properly until now.’

She reached up to touch his face. ‘Well, hopefully you can rest easy from now on.’

Brodie slipped his arm across her waist and pulled her towards him. ‘I bet you thought I was never going to ask, didn’t you?’

She snuggled back into his arms. ‘I knew you would, but I didn’t want to pressure you after everything you went through with Mags. It had to be the right time for you. But I have to admit I’m eager to be your wife.’

He turned her around to face him. ‘I’m eager to marry you too. We’d better get planning. I’m thinking a spring wedding would be perfect, how about you?’

‘That does sound rather wonderful, although it doesn’t give us lots of time.’

He grinned. ‘Oh, no, if only we had the perfect wedding venue at home…’

Olivia’s smiled disappeared. ‘We do, but it’s probably not going to be that simple.’

Brodie nodded. ‘Yes, I get that. After chatting things through with Innes, I know that we’ll have to do the official thing at the cathedral. And that’s fine.’

Olivia’s heart sank. ‘That’s just it, though, I’d rather not have to do the whole official thing. Your dad and Mirren had the perfect wedding, in my opinion. Close friends and family at the chapel by the loch. I’d love that for us too. I hate being the centre of attention and to be perfectly honest I can’t think of anything worse than a cathedral full of dignitaries I don’t really know.’