Page 43 of A Highland Family Affair

Olivia slumped onto her bed. ‘I suppose.’

Later that night, Olivia and Mirren sat around the kitchen table with Dougie, Brodie and Kerr.

‘So don’t I get a hint at what the new dress is like then?’ Brodie asked.

‘Absolutely not! And don’t be trying to sneak a look either, young man,’ Mirren said as they all munched on a beef stew she had put in the slow cooker before their trip to Edinburgh. It was nine o’clock in the evening and even though they’d had a busy day, Olivia was too excited to be tired. The dress was perfect.

‘I wouldn’t dare risk your wrath, Mama Mirren,’ Brodie said with a wink.

‘I can’t believe you’re getting married so quickly. Don’t these things usually take years to organise?’ Kerr asked.

Olivia opened her mouth to speak but Brodie beat her to it. ‘Aye, they usually take a while, but we just want to be wed, don’t we, Liv?’

Olivia nodded. ‘We certainly do.’

‘Anyway, Kerr, speaking of weddings, how are things going with Charlotte?’ Brodie asked.

Kerr almost choked on his food, and he hesitated to empty his mouth before replying. ‘Ahem, we’re not getting married any time soon, thanks.’ He laughed. ‘But things are good. Yeah, she’s really lovely. We get on well and Will’s such a great kid. We have a great time at the nursery.’

‘I’m so happy things are going well, Kerr. We should have you both around for dinner,’ Olivia said.

Kerr’s face brightened. ‘That’s a great idea. I think Charlotte would love that. Thanks, sis.’

In spite of her earlier misgivings, Olivia was glad to see her brother happy in his new relationship. It appeared her worries had been misplaced and it was, in fact, having a positive effect on him. She couldn’t help worrying, all the same, that things could still go wrong and cause him to relapse, but at the end of the day he was an adult and she had to let him be.

Kerr cleared his throat. ‘Actually, I was thinking it might be nice to invite both of them around for a while on Christmas Eve. Or… or do you all have plans already?’ Kerr asked.

Olivia glanced around the table at her family. ‘Innes and Adaira are coming along.’ She didn’t want him to feel awkward now he was making such good progress. ‘So, I think we were just going to spend it here, together, weren’t we?’

Everyone nodded and Mirren added, ‘A lovely family Christmas Eve. Some games and a buffet, I think.’ She looked around the table.

Kerr nodded. ‘Understood. It was just a thought.’

Olivia reached out and touched his arm. ‘Sorry, you’ve misunderstood me. I just didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable with Adaira being here, but if that’s okay with you then of course they’d be very welcome.’

His eyes widened. ‘Really? That’s… that’s great. Thank you.’

16

The morning of Christmas Eve was blessed with another covering of snow that made the castle look like a scene from a Currier and Ives print. Mirren was in the kitchen preparing home-made sausage rolls and apple pie for the evening buffet and Dougie had gone to collect some firewood from the woodshed, so Brodie, Olivia, Kerr and the dogs went for a long walk around the grounds and down to the chapel. The dogs zoomed around chasing each other for a while and then Wilf and Sir Lancelot took turns rolling around in the snow on their backs like toddlers, as their humans looked on, laughing.

Brodie ran off with a big stick he found under the snow and the three dogs eagerly ran after him, tongues lolling and ears flapping. Olivia watched for a few moments but then turned her attention to the little chapel with its snow-capped roof. She sighed as memories of the various services that had taken place there over the years came flooding back.

Kerr walked over to her. ‘Why don’t you just not do the cathedral thing, Liv? It’s so clear you don’t want to. And when have you ever stuck to convention when it comes to this place and your life?’ Kerr said.

He was right to a certain extent. ‘This is what our family has always done. I’m not sure I should break tradition like that.’

‘But why not? You hate the idea of it all. Surely no one would expect you to do something you don’t want to do in the name of tradition. I mean, you being the heir has broken with tradition.’ He shrugged. ‘You moving to New York broke with tradition.’

She shook her head. ‘It’s too late to change things now. Brodie has spoken to the bishop. Uncle Innes has compiled the list of dignitaries for the formal invites. I just need to put my big girl pants on and suck it up. Mum told me once that she was determined not to do it but then just sort of got carried along. She said it wasn’t so bad but that the chapel ceremony meant more to her.’

‘Look, it will be a fantastic day whatever you choose. And I’ll support you. It’s just not like you to be told what to do.’ He chuckled. ‘My against the grain sister. I’ve always admired that about you.’ He paused when she cocked her eyebrow at him. ‘Okay, well, maybe not always, but since I’ve woken up to myself, I have. You’re a decision maker, Olivia. And even though this is a huge decision, only you know the best way to go.’

Christmas Eve was in full swing when the doorbell rang. Kerr went to greet the visitors and Olivia sat snuggled up to Brodie, clutching her second glass of Baileys. The Christmas tree was illuminated in the drawing room, and everyone had dressed in Christmas jumpers for the occasion. It was the first time Olivia had witnessed Adaira in anything remotely casual. She wore a pair of tailored black trousers and in complete contrast to them she wore a bright red jumper with the words ‘I’m On the Naughty List’ emblazoned on the front with lots of sequins and sparkle to embellish it. Fair play to her; she had really embraced the fun of the evening. Innes wore a slightly more subtle, but only just, jumper with a Christmas tree on the front. Then he delighted in pressing a button at the hem that made the tree lights flash.

Gene Autry sang about good old Frosty the Snowman in the background and Dougie had taken Mirren’s hand to spin her around the rustic oak-planked floor. She giggled uncontrollably as they danced, and Olivia couldn’t help the wide smile that spread across her face at watching them having fun. They were meant to be, that one thing was certain.

Kerr walked into the room with Charlotte and Will, and Olivia and Brodie got up to greet them.