Chapter 9 #2
— Well, she says, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye, it seems these dance lessons are more revealing than expected.
— Grandmother! Callum protests.
— Oh, don’t be so modest, my boy. Your grandfather went through the same thing at our wedding. It’s practically a family tradition now.
The newcomer walks over and offers me his hand with a warm smile.
— You must be Jane. Ewan Fraser, best friend of this poor traumatized man. I have to say, that’s the best first impression I’ve ever had.
I take his hand, mortified but strangely relieved by his easygoing attitude.
— Nice to meet you. I would’ve preferred less catastrophic circumstances.
— On the contrary, he replies with a wink. Now I know exactly what kind of story to tell in my wedding speech.
— You will do no such thing, Callum warns, though I can see him suppressing a smile.
Maggie rises from her chair, smoothing her skirt with an expression I can’t quite read.
— I believe that’s enough for today. Jane needs to rest before her dress fitting this afternoon. Mr. Murray, thank you for your time.
The dance master nods, looking slightly traumatized by what he just witnessed.
— We’ll resume tomorrow, provided Miss Carter promises to keep her hands away from Mr. McGregor’s kilt, he concludes.
— I can’t promise anything, I joke weakly, trying to salvage some dignity.
Once Murray and Maggie leave, I turn to Callum.
— I’m so sorry. If I could die of embarrassment, I’d already be six feet under.
— Don’t worry, he replies with more humor than I expected from him. It’s not the first time a woman has desperately tried to see under my kilt.
Ewan bursts out laughing.
— Ah, the age-old mystery: what’s under a Scotsman’s kilt? Now you know the answer, Jane.
I blush again, completely incapable of forming a coherent response.
— I’ll leave you with your friend, Keira says, heading toward the door. Jane, I’ll come get you at two for the fitting. And don’t forget Grandmother wants to see you afterward for the Quaich ceremony.
— The what ceremony? I squeak.
— Another tradition, Callum explains. Involving whisky, thankfully.
— After the morning I’ve had, I think I need a drink immediately.
— Now that’s a woman I like! Ewan exclaims. Callum, your fiancée is perfect.
Once we’re alone with Ewan, the atmosphere relaxes considerably. Callum transforms in his friend’s presence—his shoulders loosen, his expression softens—and I discover he’s capable of truly laughing, not just offering polite smiles.
We settle into a small adjoining sitting room where Jamison brings us tea and, thank God, a bottle of whisky. Drowning my distress sounds like an excellent idea. The butler reappears moments later with trousers, which he hands to Callum.
I look away while he changes.
— So, Jane, Ewan begins, pouring me a drink, how are you finding the Highlands so far? Aside from the risk of public undressing and unruly sheep.
I nearly choke.
— You already heard about Hamish?
— News travels fast in the village, he says with a grin. Especially when it involves Callum McGregor’s new American fiancée and her run-ins with local wildlife.
I shoot Callum a questioning look.
— Ewan’s father runs the village pub. He’s at the center of all information.
— Great. I’m already a local tourist attraction, I mutter.
— Don’t worry, Ewan reassures me. They already adore you. Anyone who survives dinner with Maggie McGregor and an encounter with Hamish earns the Highlands’ respect.
— And what about the one who accidentally reveals what’s under the McGregor heir’s kilt? I ask, trying to joke about my humiliation.
Ewan bursts out laughing.
— That puts you straight into local legend territory.
— Fantastic.
Callum places his hand over mine in a comforting gesture.
— Don’t worry. Ewan exaggerates, as always.
— Absolutely not, his friend protests. Jane, I should warn you—living here is like being in a small play where everyone knows your role except you.
I risk a glance at Callum, suddenly uneasy. That metaphor hits a little too close to home.
— Luckily, I have an excellent partner to guide me, I say with a forced smile.
— And me! Ewan adds. I’m officially your guide to the mysteries of the Highlands. First tip: never turn your back on a sheep. Second tip: whisky solves almost everything.
— Almost? I ask, sipping my drink.
— The things it doesn’t solve, it helps you forget—temporarily.
I laugh.
For the first time since arriving in Scotland, I feel truly relaxed. Ewan has that rare quality of putting you instantly at ease, like you’ve been friends forever.
— How did you two meet? I ask, curious about this side of Callum.
— Primary school, Ewan replies. Callum was that serious little boy correcting the teacher’s spelling.
— That happened once, Callum protests.
— Three times in one week, Ewan counters. And I was the kid putting frogs in the girls’ backpacks. Naturally, we became inseparable.
— Opposites attract, I comment.
— Exactly, Ewan confirms. I helped him loosen up, and he kept me out of prison.
We spend the next hour trading stories. Ewan happily shares embarrassing anecdotes from Callum’s teenage years, including one involving his first whisky binge and a nighttime swim in the loch.
— He came out of the water screaming he’d seen the Loch Ness monster, Ewan says, laughing. It was just an old tire floating there.
— You weren’t any better, Callum shoots back. You were convinced the hill fairies were talking to you.
— They were! Ewan insists with mock seriousness. How else do you explain that I found my way home that night?
— Pure luck. Or your Scottish survival instinct.
I watch them, fascinated by this dynamic I never would’ve associated with Callum. With Ewan, he’s different—more relaxed, more natural—as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
— You know what Jane really needs? Ewan suddenly says. A proper tour of the Highlands, away from all this wedding madness and your grandmother’s watchful eyes.
— I can’t. There’s too much to prepare—
— Nonsense! Ewan cuts him off. The preparations are handled by an army of competent people. What your fiancée needs is to see why you love this place so much. Otherwise, she’s going to think Scotland is just a collection of strange traditions and hostile animals.
I sit up, suddenly interested.
— Actually, I’d love that. So far, all I’ve seen is the inside of this castle and the ballroom where I survived my accidental striptease.
Callum hesitates, but I see something shift in his expression.
— All right. Tomorrow morning, before the rehearsal. A short trip.
Ewan claps his hands, delighted.
— Perfect! Trust me, Jane—after that, you’ll understand why Scots are so attached to their land.
A knock interrupts us. Keira pokes her head in.
— Jane? The seamstress arrived early. Grandmother insists we start the fitting now.
I sigh, draining my whisky in one gulp.
— Gentlemen, duty calls. Thanks for the post-trauma therapy.
— The pleasure was all mine, Ewan replies with a small bow. See you tomorrow for a new Scottish adventure!
As I follow Keira into the hallway, I can’t help glancing back. Callum and Ewan are still sitting side by side, and I see Callum shaking his head, laughing at something his friend just said.
For the first time, I wonder if this arranged marriage might bring me more than I ever expected. Not just a temporary escape from Hollywood and its scandals, but maybe a new perspective. New friendships. A different way of seeing the world.
A home. A family.
Then I remember that all of this is temporary. Just a contract. A performance. A role to play. In less than a year, I’ll be back in Los Angeles, and these people will be nothing more than memories.
The thought makes me inexplicably sad.
— What are you thinking about? Keira asks as we climb the main staircase.
— I was just wondering how anyone survives this many Scottish traditions without losing their mind.
She laughs, looping her arm through mine.
— Simple—you don’t. You become a little Scottish yourself. And trust me, that’s not the worst thing that could happen.
Strangely, I’m starting to think she’s right.
1. The quaich is a small two-handled cup traditionally used to share a drink (such as whisky or spirits) between two people, symbolizing unity, trust, and friendship.