Chapter 23 #2
The boy’s words were lost by Lachlan’s wife chastising her husband about family pride and winning at all costs. But I heard the implications. If he’d given the challenge in writing and Ally hadn’t been able to read the end point, that explained why he’d carried on past.
He wouldn’t have wanted to admit that he couldn’t read easily.
Marianne turned back and gave me a firm smile.
“Our boy should have known better, but rest assured he’ll be punished appropriately.
These idiot males with testosterone up to their eyeballs, it’s a wonder they get anything done.
We’ll leave you in peace. Take care of the family and let us know if there’s anything we can do. ”
As the woman marched Paulo out, Lachlan remained. He advanced on me slowly, a speculative look in his eye. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
Oh Jesus. How did he know? In the past hour, I’d only managed a brief scan of my messages and concluded something ridiculous but true.
Tonight, my engagement to Dominic had been announced by him at a dinner with his shareholders.
Because of the link to his politician girlfriend, it had made the news.
My name was barely mentioned, more focus on the association with my mother’s previous fame and Dad’s international business, but the press had camped outside the politician’s family home to get the woman’s reaction.
Abigail Price was her name. I’d paid no attention to her before, not even bothering to scan the articles on the affair after Dominic had made his request to me.
She had two young children, I knew that much. Now they’d be reminded of their mother’s affair all over again.
More names on the list of those who’d gotten hurt.
“I’m not engaged. It’s an error. It’ll be corrected tomorrow.” I dragged up a polite smile for Lachlan and resisted the urge to rub a hand over my face. Exhaustion had sunk its claws deep.
“Aye. I knew it was a lie. If anyone would know about false engagements, it’s this family. Anyone who saw you and the laird together would know where you’d left your heart.” Lachlan gave me a small smile, then left.
Damn. Damn, damn, damn.
With the great hall finally empty, I wobbled on weary feet to the main door and dragged it shut. Then I slid the bolt into place with a dull clunk of metal.
“What error will be corrected tomorrow?” Callum’s voice sounded behind me, and I jumped. He emerged from the dark corridor at the top of the staircase and descended, shadows flitting over him.
I didn’t want to hide anything from Callum anymore, but surely he’d already started to pass judgment on me earlier at the cabin. This would take the biscuit, wouldn’t it?
“Apparently mine.”
“How?” He dropped down the last few steps, the tiredness etched into his features morphing into curiosity. The man was practically sleepwalking. I advanced on him, my hands out.
“Tonight has already flattened everyone, so you have a choice,” I said. “Either I can tell you the new drama, or it can wait until morning when we’re rested and can think straight.”
Callum moved closer and, without pause, slid his arms around me and held me tight.
His cheek hit my forehead. “You choose. Do I need to know this right now? Because I’m not sure I’ll act with reason.
I know why Ally got into trouble—he told me about the note Lachlan’s lad slipped him.
I can’t say I’m dealing with it well right now. ”
I considered it as I sank into his hug. There was nothing I could do about fixing this.
Whatever story had been concocted, it was out there, regardless.
Tomorrow, I’d travel to London, confront Dominic, and get a retraction issued.
Then I’d see my father and handle him. I’d listened to the first of Dad’s voicemails where he’d asked me why I hadn’t told him I was dating Dominic—apparently the rat bastard had told him we were an item a couple of days ago.
Then his other messages were more of the same.
I’d sent him a text saying I wasn’t engaged and that I’d call him in the morning.
My sister had sent me a picture of her face pulling a shocked expression, WTF added in large, pink letters, so I’d sent her a similar message as Dad.
Then I’d turned the damn device off and tried to not panic as I’d returned to managing the people in the great hall.
Now, the panic flowed back in with a vengeance.
But I was tired, still shaking from the search for Ally, and needing this hug.
Callum needed it, too. His muscles corded around me, holding me as close to him as I could get.
I already knew from the paramedic that Ally would make a full recovery, but the fear of what could have happened hit me in waves, and I struggled to speak.
“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Whatever you think best. I’m sorry our evening was ruined.”
“I’m just glad you found him,” I replied.
We stood in a silent stupor for a moment, the cool air of the castle enclosing us.
Callum dragged in a breath. “I thought he was dead, ye ken? Dead, and it would be my fault. We flew a search pattern I’ve flown so many times before, but my mind kept telling me he’d be under the water so my searching was useless.
” He dragged in another breath that shook us both, and I held him closer.
“I’ve been pushed to the edge. It would kill me to lose him.
Any of them. Or you. Do you know that? If someone has hurt you—”
“Everything will be okay, I promise you. But right now? We’re going to bed,” I interrupted. He was so exhausted he could barely stand. “We’ll talk it out when we wake. Make a plan.”
“I trust you.” Callum’s blue eyes burned bright as I raised my head. “More than anyone, I think. We’ll handle it together, aye?”
I nodded, taking him by the hand and leading him up the stairs. I wasn’t sure at all of how Callum would react. My gut instinct, which was so much lower in importance than my logical mind, told me this was going to go badly wrong. And I only had myself to blame.