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“What are the chances?” Katie chuckled. “Not something you’d bet on, probably.”
“Oh, no.” I buried my face in my hands. “This is all going terribly wrong. My best friend is never going to let me live this down. She said it was a bad idea.”
“I think a bad idea is somewhat of an overstatement,” she said with a smile. “Think about it like this: I’d love to share some stories of your mum with you that you might not know.”
I hesitated, then met her gaze. “You would?”
“I would love nothing more. I have a couple she’d hate me telling you, so I know I must.”
I smiled, touching my fist to my nose. “I’d love to hear them all.”
She checked her watch. “Then we’ll figure out a time for us to share some stories. Until then, you do have to think about getting back before Chewy gets set loose—I’ll even walk you there. Come on.”
We left our mugs on the island and left the kitchen.
“Grace, I do have to warn you that Freya is on the warpath. She’s adamant she recognises you and wants to know where from, so you might want to speak to her, too. And perhaps tell William sooner rather than later so he doesn’t find out from someone else.” She touched her hand to my back. “Just a suggestion.”
“I know. I will—I’ll tell him later.” I looked at the stone floor. “Did we really spend time together as children?”
“Yes, quite regularly. We lived relatively close to the Loxford estate until we moved away for Stuart’s work. We moved back a couple of years later, right before William graduated. We’ve not seen you since, though.”
“I moved out for university and never went back,” I explained. “Carmen and I don’t get along. It was easier for all of us. I live just outside Oxleigh.”
“Ah, that explains it. I will tell Stuart, by the way. I’ll let him know your dad won’t be here this weekend, too.”
“Oh. Yes. Of course.”
“He won’t say anything. And Morag and Angus don’t need to know, either. Not unless they have to.”
“Well, then let’s hope Carmen’s plane or train or whatever can’t make it here.”
“And Olive?”
“I may find myself struck down with a migraine the day of the wedding,” I said thoughtfully. “Do you think that’ll work?”
“No.” Katie laughed. “Just tell William, and we’ll figure the rest out later.”
I grimaced as we turned the corner back to the living room.
“Look who I found,” Katie announced, presenting me with a flourish of her arm.
“Did you get lost?” William asked, lips curled into a smile.
“That’s the official story,” I quipped. “And I’m sticking to it, no matter what you say.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN – GRACE
A Close Call
Katie squeezed my arm as I walked past and into the room. “Don’t let her wander about the castle, William. All it takes it one wrong turn and you really will need the feathered intruder alarm to find her. Take that from me,” she said with a pointed look. “Freya, let’s go. We have to go into Duncree to collect your dress while there’s a break in this snow falling.”
“Oh, yes.” Freya jumped up then doubled back to kiss James. “Let’s go!” She bundled Katie out of the room with a chirpy giggle we could hear echoing down the hall.
James stared after her, then sighed, twisted in the chair, and opened his book again. “Finally. An hour of peace.”
I shared a look with William, trying not to smile.
“Intruders! Troll in the kitchen!” Chewy flapped into the room and circled it, breaking through James’ momentary peace. “Intruder alert!” he squawked, catching sight of me.
