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"Still inside the castle getting ready, I guess."
He hands me the garment bag. "You will look even more stunning than usual in this dress."
"Thank you for buying it for me." I take the bag and drape it over the nearest chair. "How did your male bonding go? Lots of drum beating and howling like wolves?"
"No. We sat in the living room of a cabin owned by Callum's mate at the fire station and talked while enjoying a crackling fire and a bottle of Scotch."
"That's not what I expected."
"I share your confusion." He slips an arm around my waist and grabs the garment bag as we amble toward the castle compound. "I expected something outlandish since that is the MacTaggart way. But we just chatted to each other for hours. I feel much better this morning, and I think that's because I finally know for sure that Callum and I are still my best mates."
"Don't think Callum ever doubted that."
"No, I was the arse who thought I needed to hide from everyone who cares about me. I'm done with that now." He leads me through the open door to the garden but stops us halfway across the flower-covered space. "Whatever happens, I know I can get through it—because of you."
"I provided moral support. You did the rest."
"Bollocks. You did much more than that." He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses the knuckles one by one. "You saved my soul, Avery. Even if I can't save the company, I'll know it wasn't my fault because I did everything I could to save it. Somehow, I will help my employees find jobs elsewhere."
"We'll do it together."
Hugh takes me out of the garden and across the courtyard to the doorway I know leads into the vestibule of the castle proper. At the bottom of the spiral staircase, we say goodbye. Hugh has best man duties to perform.
"I'm curious," I say. "Doesn't Callum's brother feel slighted? You're the best man instead of Jack."
"No, Jack understands. In fact, Callum told me last night that his brother insisted I should be best man since I'm the groom's best mate."
"I can see why you love these people. They're amazing."
"Have you met the gang from the Au Naturel Naturist Resort?"
"Yes, I have. They're lots of fun. I met the Wiccan sisters too. Is there brother really a former spy?"
"Oh, yes. Logan MacTaggart was in the army, then MI6. Now he's a security consultant for the company owned by his cousin Evan who's a billionaire."
"I know. I met Evan and his wife, Keely, earlier this morning. Their daughter is adorable."
Hugh shuffles over to the staircase but hesitates there, glancing back at me. "Would you ever want children? With me?"
"Of course I would. I love you."
The cutest little smile curls his lips. "I'd want that too, because I'm in love with you."
He starts up the stairs.
I watch until he disappears through a doorway high above my head. When Lady Sommerleigh hired me, I could never have imagined how meeting my newest client would change my life. I still don't know how to reconcile my vagabond career with Hugh's well-rooted lifestyle, but I know we can figure it out.
On my way to my room on the ground floor, I bump into Derek in the dining room. I need to cross through that space to reach the guest wing.
My brother grins at me. "You look flushed, Avery. Hugh must be back."
"I'm not flushed." My cheeks do feel a touch warm, but that is not the same thing. "Did you have fun with the Dixons and Hunters last night? I heard you guys played poker in the sitting room."
"Yeah. And I beat the socks off those Brits."
"Hugh knows all about your skill with cards and board games."
Derek's grin melts into a softer expression, and he clasps my hand. "If you want to marry Hugh, I'm good with that. Want my baby sister to be happy."
