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The gent finally releases my hand, then thumps me on the back.
What had I said at the end? My speech has become a blur, especially after greeting every employee afterward. But yes, I think I know which bit he meant.
Adversity cannot destroy our spirit, for we are more than a collection of employees and executives. We are a family. Whatever might befall us, nothing can shatter the courage and dedication of every person who helped make this company a success. I might be the viscount and the CEO, but we are all Sommerleigh.
That was when the cacophony erupted. I'm not sure that speech compares to anything Winston Churchill had delivered, but I'll accept the compliment.
Now, if we can only save the company…
Derek has been exploring London while his sister and I toil to prevent the company from disintegrating, but to my utter shock, I see him among the employees on the factory floor. Avery had stood beside me during my speech, and I'd been too anxious to notice every face in the crowd. Now, he saunters up to me and…pulls me into a quick hug.
Then he slaps my arm. "Good job, Your Highness."
"A viscount is never referred to as 'Your Highness.' Just call me Hugh."
"You gave a terrific speech."
"Thank you, but Avery contributed a great deal."
"I'm sure she did. But you got up there and said all of that without tripping over even one syllable. I'm impressed. You aren't just a pretty face, Lord Sticky."
Nothing short of a heavenly visitation will convince Derek to stop calling me that. Harassment is a form of affection between men, especially the Americans and the Scots.
Now that we've informed the employees of the current dilemma, Avery announces we need to get moving on repairing my reputation. She arranges for Lord Sommerleigh to host a charity gala for a children's hospital. Should I worry that I just referred to myself in my thoughts as "Lord Sommerleigh"? If I've developed a narcissistic streak, eradicating that will need to wait awhile.
Avery thinks I'm being "adorably silly" when I tell her I worry that I've become an egomaniac.
"Your confidence is coming back," she says. "That's a good sign. Don't beat yourself up anymore."
Since I can't deny Avery anything she wants, I do what she told me. I stop worrying and admit, to her and to myself, that regaining my confidence is a positive sign. I'd been mired in self-loathing for too long, thanks to my failed attempt to woo Kate Wagner as well as my mistake with the Duchess, which still threatens to ruin my company.
But we will fix things. Avery swears we will, and I trust her completely.
We attend two social events this week, but the first one couldn't compare to the charity gala Avery organized for the children's hospital. It was magnificent and raised a shedload of money, but we have more pressing matters to deal with over the weekend. On Friday afternoon, we all climb aboard a jet sent by Evan MacTaggart that will ferry us to the Scottish Highlands. The entourage includes me and Avery, of course, but also Derek and my mother. Mum spends most of the flight chatting to Derek, which leaves me alone with my girlfriend. Of course, "alone" means we sit at the opposite end of the cabin. We aren't literally by ourselves. And I'm grateful for that.
Once we land at Inverness, I feel the old anxiety creeping back into me. Why? Oh, nothing much. I'm about to walk into a horde of Scots, but that doesn't bother me. What "fashes" me, as the Scots would say, is seeing Callum and Kate again. I don't pine for her. But I hadn't behaved in the most gentlemanly way the last time I saw them. And yes, I've avoided all my mates ever since.
Avery slips her hand into mine as we trudge down the stairs and step onto the tarmac. Derek and Mum are just exiting the jet. Nearby, a limousine awaits.
The limo door swings open, and Callum jumps out to race toward me.
Bloody hell.I hoped I'd have more time before I saw him. More time? To do what? I have no ruddy idea.
Avery gives my hand a light squeeze and whispers, "You can do this."
Callum drags me into a bear hug and thumps me on the back so hard that I feel like a bass drum. Avery's hand is torn away from mine. I glance at her and see she's grinning. When Callum finally releases me and takes a step back, he grins too.
"Feel like I havenae seen ye in years," he says. "I hear you've been hiding in your London flat because of the scunner who calls himself a duke."
"Not hiding. I retired from the public eye momentarily."
"But you're back now, eh? And ye brought your lass." Callum seizes Avery and hugs her as fiercely as he'd done to me. "Welcome to Scotland. I'm Callum MacTaggart."
"Avery Hahn. I've heard a lot about you."
"You're Hugh's lass, aye? About bloody time he settled down."
Kate comes up beside Callum and nudges him in the side with her elbow. "You better not be sexually harassing Hugh's girlfriend."
