Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
ENGAGED
Mathilda
We exited the door to the main street with our arms tucked around one another, smiling like we hadn’t a care in the world. Scarlet slipped out behind us to find the taxi and would wait there. Safe, though I didn’t want to let her out of my sight.
Walking into the fray, I whispered to Callum, “Dominic offered me a deal on the phone. He said I could sleep with you all I liked and he wouldn’t say a word as long as I kept pretending and married him.
He said his girlfriend was devastated by the fact they couldn’t see one another anymore, and I’d make everyone happy just by playing along. ”
“Whyever did he think you’d agree?” He faked a wide grin and planted a real kiss on my cheek.
Ahead, the photographers watched Dominic as he yelled up at the penthouse.
Callum trained his eyes on the man and made a low, aggressive sound. “It’s only the second time I’ve met this little shite, and my knuckles are aching to make a closer acquaintance with his face.”
My pulse quivered. Though we’d argued, I loved his wild side, even more now he was trying to contain it for me. “He was making a last-ditch attempt to appeal to my emotional side, which is dumb as I don’t really have one.” I shrugged then added, “Apart from when it comes to you.”
“That’s not a bit true. You care widely, I’ve seen it.”
“You know? I think you’re right.”
This time, his kiss met my lips, and there was nothing fake about the passion.
A flurry of clicks broke our embrace. Footsteps scurried toward us.
“Gentlemen.” I nodded to the photographers. “Nice to see you again.”
I explained to Callum, “I met these two earlier at Mr Hanswick’s office, when I’d visited to ask him to stop using my name.” I tucked in closer to him. “Callum here is as confused as I am over this fuss, considering we became engaged this weekend.”
At my side, Callum froze.
“Mathilda!” Dominic practically shrieked, his mouth an outraged ‘O’.
“Mr Hanswick.” With an expression of pity, I regarded the jerk. “Could you please stop shouting at my father’s home? He isn’t there for you to try to impress, and besides, I’m not sure it would change his mind.”
“What…? No, I want to marry you.” Dominic blinked, his tie askew. He glanced at Callum then wobbled and took a step backwards.
Callum was probably glowering, but he remained quiet. A wall at my back.
“Oh, knock it off,” I replied. “If Dad won’t work with you now, that’s between you and him. But Callum and I are a couple, we’re together, and you can’t use me anymore. We’re leaving.”
I turned back to the photographers while my claim on Callum filled me with joy.
One of the men had a video camera, so this was on film.
Righting all the wrongs. “My previous statement still stands. Mr Hanswick and my father’s business matters are between them and have nothing to do with my private life.
I’m very happy in my relationship, and there’s only one man for me.
You can quote me on that. Callum? Let’s go back to the castle. ”
Around the corner, the taxi waited. Instead of jumping straight in, Callum stopped me at the car door.
“What ye said…” He stumbled over his sentence.
I sighed. “I know. I should have thrown him to the wolves and shouted the truth about his girlfriend and let the press have their field day, but the thing about Dominic is he’s just an idiot in love.
He can’t have the woman he wants because she won’t ruin her career by leaving her husband.
It’s sad. He’s sad. And as of now, he’s no longer anything to me.
I just left a nice vague business-related comment for the reporters to chew over. ”
“You have a heart the size of the moon, but… Not that. The other thing.”
I cocked my head, my eyebrows pulling in.
“You said you’d marry me,” he choked out.
My cheeks heated. “Oh, that. I did. But can’t we do better than a proposal yelled in anger and an acceptance made in front of cameras while an idiot guy staggered around the shot?”
Then I smiled, and Callum let out his breath then crushed me to his chest.
“Aye, we can. I’ll plan the kind of proposal you deserve, with rose petals and singing doves if it pleases ye.”
With his gaze burning into mine, he laid a sweet kiss on my lips—a promise for later—and we got the heck out of London.
On the short hop back to Inverness, Scarlet peppered Callum with questions about his life and the castle. When she got too cheeky, he’d tut and put her in her place. And…it worked. She fawned over him with big eyes and a playful affection I couldn’t ever remember seeing in her before.
Callum was a hit with my sister.
She’d confided in us both that she and Dad had an epic row before he’d left for the States. The usual subjects had come up, but finally—having never done it before—Scarlet had told Dad she wished he’d stop pretending to be her father if he couldn’t do the job.
I couldn’t see an easy way back for them, and Mom wasn’t strong enough to help.
It was high time I stepped in and took control.
First, though, there was the small matter of the three little words Callum had said. He loved me. I bit my lip at the memory and rested my head on the plane’s seat, letting my two favourite people chat over me.
I loved him, too. The feeling as clear as day.
A wonderful, soul-filling sensation. And I loved how I’d shocked him by telling the photographers we were getting married.
Most of all, I loved thoughts of decisions and conversations to come.
After Dad’s revelation about my house in Bristol, I had only one plan for using the money.
Then the captain announced our descent into the Highlands, and I couldn’t help the smile on my face. It felt like going home, and this time I was making plans to stay.
“You have to be fucking kidding me. Where’s your mother? Please say either she or someone else drove you?” Callum smacked his hand to his forehead and bore down on Ally.
The boy beamed from the other side of the arrivals barrier. On his finger dangled the keys to Callum’s Land Rover.
“Cool your britches. Ma’s here, and Wasp is babysitting Lily.
You were on the news, and Mattie said you were coming home, so we drove down to pick you up from the next flight.
” Ally appeared the picture of health, unaffected by his ordeal.
He followed quickly with, “Ma drove. I needed some fresh air.”
“Who’s this?” My sister ran her gaze over the boy.
Ally’s attention shot to my sister. His eyes widened. “More the point, lass, is who are you? Please tell me we’re not related.”
“This is Scarlet, Mathilda’s sister, and she’s fourteen. She’ll be staying with us for a while, and for all intents and purposes, consider her your sister,” Callum growled. “Now give me the car keys before I hang you upside down and shake them out of you.”
“Bloody hell,” Ally whispered, handing over the keys.
“I’m fifteen next week.” Scarlet grinned and batted her eye lashes. I hauled her after a stomping Callum.
Teenagers. Suddenly I had three of them.
We returned to the castle in the gathering dusk, and I settled Scarlet into my bedroom. With a meaningful glance, Callum collected my bags and carried them upstairs to his solar. Everything had shifted and settled into place. We’d decided how we were going to be, and that was that.
“Everything is going to be okay,” I told my sister who’d plopped down onto the bed with a pair of headphones in.
We’d talked as we’d unpacked her bag, and it had broken my heart to see the things she’d brought.
The items she found important. No designer bags or expensive goods, but she had the teddy bear I’d bought her on a day out when she was four or five, and a family picture in a frame.
Like she still didn’t resent the family she’d been born into.
“We’ll work out what to do over dinner.” I paused at the door. “I love you.”
“Sure, I know. Go see to him.” She waved a hand and rolled over. “That man has been looking at you like you’re the saviour of his world since you came down the steps.”
Oh shoot, he probably had. The feeling was mutual. With a soft smile, I closed her bedroom door and hurried along the hall to the stone spiral staircase, then ascended, my heart rate picking up with every step.
“Callum?” I called. The door at the top of the stairs opened into a wide room, the big windows showcasing thick cloud which cloaked the early evening sky. I set my path for the master bedroom.
Music met my ears.
I pushed the door open and walked into the centre of the room, yellow light spilling out from a single lamp. The tune played on, a soft ballad, distinctly romantic. Then the door closed behind me with a thud, and I jumped, spinning around. Callum stood against the frame.
“How long have we got?” he asked.
Over my shoulder, his enormous bed waited, and I backed over to it, kicking off my shoes.
“An hour.” Not long enough.
Callum sank to one knee, and I stilled, pressed against the bed.
“I’m an impatient man, Mathilda. If you need more time for this to happen, I will struggle with that but I’ll bite my tongue.
After everything, I dinna want to be in a half state with you.
I have you here, with our family, and I never want you to leave again. ”
From the side table next to him, he collected a box. I sucked in a breath and curled my fingers into the bedspread.
“This was my mother’s. Her wedding ring. I’ll get ye your own for our engagement, but I haven’t had the chance yet.” He looked up from the box to where I hadn’t moved an inch. “Let me propose properly before we take to the bed.”
“I was going to plan something romantic for you.” I stepped over to him, my toes sinking into the thick rug. “To make up for running away from you and not talking it out.”
“Why, what did you want to say that you didnae already?” A mischievous look came over the big man’s face. He adjusted his balance as I stopped in front of him. “That you’re in love with me? I already told you that.”