Page 36 of A Highland Family Affair

He rested his forehead on hers. ‘I know, Liv. But your mum and dad did both so we can too.’

‘I know we can, but I’d rather elope. Why don’t we just head to Gretna Green and keep it all a secret until it’s done?’ Her heart skipped at the thought of rebelling against her noble upbringing.

Brodie sighed. ‘As wonderful as that thought is, you know we can’t do that. Not really. Imagine what Dad, Mirren and Kerr would say, never mind Skye and Bella. And honestly, as long as I’m committing myself to you, the whole world could be present, and I wouldn’t notice. All my attention would be right where it was supposed to be, and that’s on you.’

She gazed up into his eyes. ‘How did I get so lucky?’

He smiled tenderly and kissed her. ‘I think I’m the lucky one. How about hen parties and such? What would you like to do?’

‘I know what I don’t want to do and that’s go drinking and clubbing and watching strippers. It’s just not me. Something peaceful would be good. No idea what. Although I don’t fancy a swanky hotel thing either. I’d like something a little different. Are you sure you want to marry someone who’s this picky over her hen do?’ She giggled.

‘The fact that you’re not interested in watching other men get naked makes me want to marry you even more,’ he said with a laugh.

‘What about you? What kind of thing would you like?’ she asked.

He pondered for a moment. ‘I think I’d like to go see a band with my dad and a couple of mates. Nothing fancy.’ She pulled his face down to kiss him and he smiled. ‘Now what do you say we get dressed and video-call Dad and Mirren to tell them our news?’

She narrowed her eyes. ‘You mean to tell me they’re not completely aware of what’s going on here?’

Brodie’s face flushed pink. ‘Ahem… okay, busted. Why don’t we video-call them anyway and tell them it’s all gone according to plan?’

She giggled. ‘That’s more like it.’

Mirren and Dougie were, of course, over the moon. Mirren dabbed at her eyes and her husband beamed with pride.

‘Congratulations to you both. I always wondered when you were wee if you’d end up together,’ Dougie said with a wide smile. ‘You were always such good friends and that’s how the best relationships start.’ He glanced at his wife.

Mirren kissed his cheek before turning her attention back to the camera. ‘Hang on a second, let me grab Kerr, he’s just getting ready to head to the nursery.’ She disappeared for a moment and returned with Olivia’s brother.

‘Hey, Kerr! We’re engaged!’ Olivia said, waving her hand at the screen.

Kerr smiled widely, although Olivia thought she saw a tinge of sadness in his eyes. ‘Aw, congratulations, Liv, and Brodie too. You’d better look after my little sister,’ he said, wagging a finger at the camera.

‘I can guarantee that, Kerr. You’ve nothing to worry about on that score,’ Brodie replied with his gaze fixed on Olivia.

‘I’m really happy for you. Truly,’ Kerr said. ‘I’d better go and take a shower, though; although not sure there’s much point seeing as I have a day of mud ahead… lots of mud. I’ll see you when you get back.’

‘Bye, Kerr.’ Olivia and Brodie waved before he walked away.

Mirren moved herself in front of the camera again. ‘I don’t know if you’ve thought about a dress yet, hen, but I could help you sort your mum’s dress, get it cleaned and the like. I know she would’ve loved to have seen you in it.’ Her voice wavered as she spoke.

Olivia’s throat tightened. She had adored looking through her parents’ wedding album and always loved her mother’s wedding dress with its simple elegance. As a young girl, she had dreamed of wearing it for her own ceremony and after seeing the depiction of her in the dress in the painting Brodie had commissioned it made her even more keen. She cleared her throat and tried to compose herself before replying. ‘That sounds like a wonderful idea. I’d love that. Thank you so much.’

Mirren beamed. ‘Wonderful. I wasn’t sure if Nina might be making a dress for you so I didnae want to presume. I’m so glad you like the idea.’ She dabbed at more escaped tears. ‘Och, look at me! I’m a gibbering wreck and it’s only the engagement. What am I going to be like on your wedding day?’

Olivia laughed and wiped at her own damp eyes. ‘I think we’ll both be the same.’

Brodie laughed as he too sniffled. ‘That might be three of us then.’

14

Olivia stood under the stream of hot water in the shower, daydreaming about Brodie’s quirky, but oh-so-romantic proposal. She had tried to guess on many occasions how it would come about but the actual event was nothing like any of the scenarios she had imagined. After going through the emotional and physical abuse that his ex-wife Mags had subjected him to, she admired him for being willing to give marriage another chance and was so honoured that he had entrusted her with his heart. She knew from deep within herself that she could never hurt him and it was clear that he knew that too.

She was a little concerned about her mother’s wedding dress and whether it had been rescued from the part of the attic where the leak had sprung in the roof; something that she couldn’t possibly know until she took herself up there to look. All she could do was hope.

‘Morag has brought us a breakfast tray,’ Brodie told her from the doorway to the en suite. ‘She said as a newly engaged couple she thought we might prefer that to joining the other guests in the dining room.’

‘That’s sweet of her. I’m famished,’ Olivia replied, realising her stomach was growling. She turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around herself before wrapping another around her hair.