Coming Home to the Highlands, page 25
There was the sound of loud chatter somewhere out of the hall, but it wasn’t possible to hear what was being said.
‘Whoever that is, you’ll get your turn soon enough,’ Hamish said with a chuckle. ‘Now, on to my daughter-in-law to be. Fiona and I were delighted when Owain and Olivia reconnected. They had always been so close as youngsters.’
Hmm, that’s not exactly true, Olivia thought.
‘And to see them together now, it’s like they have never been apart. Their deep love has a strong foundation in friendship and that’s how the strongest marriages are made. I would like everyone to raise a glass to Lady Olivia MacBain!’
The whole gathering raised the toast and looked towards Olivia, who was now as hot as a furnace and no doubt the colour of Mars.
‘Dad, my turn,’ Owain said, snatching the microphone rather harshly from Hamish’s hands. ‘Olivia! Come and join me,’ he said with urgency. She glanced at Bella and Skye and scrunched her face, confused at his command.
‘Better start as you mean to go on!’ someone in the crowd shouted and everyone laughed.
Olivia arrived by Owain’s side. He was red-faced and a little sweaty. ‘Darling Olivia. Since I met you all those years ago, I’ve felt drawn to you. I’m so glad we reconnected and that you agreed to be my wife. I can’t wait to have a future with you and to make lots of babies.’ Whistles and cat calls sounded. ‘To my fiancée, everyone!’ His words were rushed, and he sounded out of breath.
Everyone raised their glasses once again and toasted Olivia for the second time that evening. She hoped that this meant it was over and she could go back to blending in.
As the chatter died down, Brodie came running in from the direction of the dining room, followed by two of the waiters.
‘Stop! Olivia, you can’t marry him!’
Olivia turned to Brodie and gasped.
Owain gripped her tighter. ‘Can someone show this man out, please? He’s had a bit too much to drink and he’s making a nuisance of himself.’
The two waiters stepped forward and grabbed Brodie by the arms and manhandled him, but he was digging his heels in.
‘Owain, what the hell is going on? Brodie hasn’t even had a drink yet!’ she hissed. ‘Let him go!’ she shouted at the waiters and tried to release herself from Owain’s grip, but she couldn’t.
‘Olivia! He’s been lying to you! Please, you have to believe me!’ Brodie shouted.
Owain turned to the gathered guests who were all gawping, open-mouthed. ‘This man is in love with my fiancée and is doing his best to disrupt our evening with lies. He’s just a jealous man with a vendetta, please ignore him and carry on enjoying the evening. The bar is still open!’
Confused and concerned chatter travelled the room as everyone tried to figure out what was going on.
Brodie broke free from the men who were holding him back and ran to Olivia’s side. He placed a hand on each of her shoulders and after glaring at Owain, he leaned to whisper in her ear. ‘Olivia, I don’t want to shout this out in front of everyone, so please listen to me. He’s lied to you. I promise I’m telling the truth. Olivia, Owain is gay!’
24
Olivia watched in horror as Brodie was dragged, kicking and flailing, from the building. Dougie and Mirren followed, with Dougie shouting, ‘Get your hands off my lad! I’ll kick your arses! The lot of you! Get off him!’
Owain grabbed Olivia by the wrist and dragged her through the gobsmacked, silent gathering and into an anteroom. He slammed the door and locked it.
‘Owain, what the hell is going on?’ Olivia asked, tears streaming down her face and her head feeling swooshy. ‘Please tell me.’
Owain ran his hands through his hair until the product that was once smoothing it down now made it stand on end. He looked wild-eyed and a bit crazy. ‘Look, he thought he saw something that he didn’t see. And then he got the wrong end of the stick. That’s all. But I was right. It’s jealousy that’s driven him to this. I could tell he was in love with you the first time I met him.’
‘This isn’t making sense. What did he think he saw?’
Owain bent and punched a cushion. ‘Shit! Shit!’
‘Owain?’
He stood up straight and face her. ‘He saw me and Niccolò hugging. Then he put two and two together and made five. Idiot.’
Things were still not adding up. ‘Brodie isn’t stupid, Owain, if he saw you hugging, he would just think you’re friends. Friends hug. And Brodie isn’t a vindictive person.’
‘How do you know? You haven’t seen him in years!’
Anger rumbled inside of Olivia. ‘The same could be said of me and you!’
Owain jabbed a finger towards the door. ‘So you’re going to take his side, is that it?’
Olivia slumped onto an antique chair she was pretty sure was too old and valuable to be sat on. ‘Owain, please be truthful with me. I deserve that much.’
‘I’m not lying. Niccolò may have kissed me on the cheek, he’s European, they do that!’ He lifted his arms and let them drop violently to his thighs.
‘Brodie would still understand that. I don’t get why he would say such a thing without reason.’
There was a hammering at the door. ‘Owain! This is your father. Come out here right now and explain to me what the hell is going on!’
Owain flinched and then sat on the other antique chair. ‘Oh god. It’s all gone to shit.’
‘Owain!’ More hammering.
‘Give us a bit of time, Dad, for Pete’s sake!’
Olivia stood and walked over to crouch before him. ‘Owain, please tell me the truth.’
He lifted his chin and tears were cascading down his face. ‘What have I done?’
She cupped his face. ‘Just tell me.’
He nodded. ‘I’m… I’m in love… with Niccolò.’
Olivia’s heart leapt, but not in an angry way. She felt sorry for Owain. He was clearly in anguish and in a lot of pain. ‘Okay.’
‘I never meant to hurt you, Olivia. But I knew that deep down you didn’t love me. It’s clear you love Brodie. I thought we could have one of those best friend marriages of convenience where we both get to spend time with the ones we really love. Brodie was married, so I envisaged you having an affair with him and that I would continue to see Nic. I’ve loved him since I met him at his family’s home, Olivia. I had never felt like that about anyone. But Dad is so…’ He growled. ‘So old-fashioned and homophobic. I knew he’d disown me or kick me out if he found out the truth. I needed a decoy.’
‘You wanted me to be your beard?’
He lifted his chin and said, ‘We hate that phrase, just so you know.’
Olivia couldn’t help giggling. ‘Sorry. But I’m right, aren’t I? You wanted me to be your fiancée for appearances only.’
He nodded and laughed. ‘I’m so sorry. But I’m right about you not being in love with me, aren’t I?’
Olivia closed her eyes and nodded. ‘I’m sorry too. I was being told how good we’d be for each other. How we made such a lovely couple. And how you understand my life, so you’d be perfect husband material. I do care deeply for you, though.’
Owain took her hands. ‘And I you. I think you’re such a wonderful person. That’s partly why I chose you. I thought if I had to spend loads of time with a woman, it had to be someone I really liked.’
‘What does Nic think of all this?’
Owain sighed. ‘He was the one who had the idea for me to marry at first. He thought it would be a good distraction. But the more things went on, the more he began to doubt my love for him. But I love him with all my heart, Olivia.’
‘I think you need to be honest with your mum and dad, Owain. They love you so much and I think they will accept you as you are. You just have to give them a chance.’
‘But my dad and his awful gay jokes… I just don’t know…’
She squeezed his hands. ‘You should give them a chance to know the real you. Because I think he’s a pretty special man and I think they will too.’
‘You’re not angry?’
She shook her head. ‘Not really. We were both to blame here. You’re right about my feelings for Brodie. But he’s just announced that he cancelled his date because he’s decided he isn’t ready for romance again yet.’
‘Ah. That sucks. But you can always wait for him.’
She smiled. ‘I could if I thought he felt the same about me. I think maybe he did once. But not any more. So, I’ll just go back to being single and I’ll meet someone eventually, I’m sure. I’m not over the hill yet.’
Owain pulled Olivia into his arms. ‘Thank you for not hating me.’
She patted his back. ‘Thank you for being honest with me.’
They stood and Owain unlocked the room. ‘I’ll call you a cab.’
‘It’s okay, I think Bella will have waited for me.’
‘But how do you know?’
She lifted her phone and grinned. ‘Because she’s texted me to say she’s waited for me.’ They laughed and hugged again.
Owain opened the door, and his parents were standing outside with Niccolò. ‘I’m so sorry for all the drama, Dad, Mum. I think I have some explaining to do.’
Hamish pulled his son into an embrace. ‘If it’s to do with Niccolò, he’s told us everything.’ He held his son at arm’s length. ‘We’re so confused, Owain. We presumed you were gay when you brought Nic home the first time, but then all of a sudden you were dating girls and then the next thing we knew you were getting married to Olivia.’
Fiona dabbed at her eyes. ‘Why you ever thought you couldn’t be honest with us we just don’t know, darling. If it’s because of your dad’s stupid jokes, he doesn’t understand half of them anyway! But he’s no homophobe. And he loves you. We both do.’
‘You were always too clean to be straight anyway,’ Hamish said with a chuckle.
‘Stereotypes, Dad.’
‘Sorry, son. Now come here.’
Olivia watched for a moment as Owain’s parents hugged him. Then she almost burst into tears when Hamish grabbed Niccolò’s arm and pulled him into the embrace. She walked away silently, leaving Owain to his moment of real acceptance.
She grabbed her bag and headed outside. Sure enough, Bella and Skye were waiting in Fifi. Bella got out and walked around to hug her.
‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Want to talk about it?’
‘Nope.’
Olivia slept late on Christmas Day. She felt she needed the extra sleep after the drama and copious amounts of Champagne of the night before. When she arrived downstairs in her fluffy pyjamas along with her equally fluffy canine companion, the house was quiet. A note on the kitchen table said:
Olivia dearie,
I’m away to call on Dougie just now but I’ll not be long. We can exchange gifts when I get home unless you don’t feel up to it, in which case we can wait. It’s up to you. Innes is coming around at 1 p.m. for lunch. And Kerr may or may not turn up. Who knows with that boy? I will see you very soon.
Love
Mirren
She was all alone on Christmas Day.
She made herself a breakfast of hot chocolate and cookies and took them through to the drawing room. The fire was lit, and the room was toasty warm. Marley sat and drooled on her slippers as she munched away and stared at the tree lights, which had been set to twinkle mode. She usually hated that but on this occasion, the setting was quite slow and soothing, so she let it continue as she moved her attention to the fire and stared into the flames in the grate. She missed her parents so much that silent tears trickled down her cheeks and dropped off the end of her chin into her lap. Sensing her sadness, Marley laid a paw on her lap, and she bent to bury her nose in his fur. Her heart ached as she thought back to the Christmases her family had shared. There were some wonderful memories.
She remembered that Brodie had mentioned a gift, so she placed down her mug and plate and walked over to the tree to look for it. There, as promised, was a little box with snowflakes printed on and a blue glittery ribbon tied around it. With intrigue, she tugged at the ribbon and let it fall beside her as she opened the box.
She gasped and fresh tears fell when she lifted out a silver necklace with an acorn pendant hanging from it.
‘Just like the one he bought me for my eleventh birthday.’
The door to the drawing room opened. ‘Want me to fasten it for you?’
She turned to see Brodie standing there. He wore the most gaudy Hawaiian Christmas shirt she had ever seen. Santa was on a surfboard wearing a thong, then in another scene Santa was drinking a huge cocktail, and in another he was riding a motorbike, all on a bright, almost fluorescent green background, and she couldn’t help laughing.
He glanced down and then twirled on the spot. ‘See, you’re not the only one with a brilliant eye for fashion, MacBain.’
‘Oh, I love it! So tasteful. And yes, please, could you?’ She held out the necklace.
He came and stood behind her and grazed the back of her neck with his fingertips. A shiver travelled through her whole body.
‘There you go. Beautiful,’ he said as he stepped back and appraised her. ‘Especially the fluffy PJs.’
‘I thought I’d make an effort,’ she replied.
‘So, how are you doing? Do you hate me?’ he asked with a crumpled brow.
‘Not in the slightest.’
‘I saw them kissing out by the bathroom and I couldn’t bear the thought of you getting hurt. Not you.’ He shook his head.
‘We talked it all through. I had to admit that I didn’t love him either.’ She stared down at the pendant. ‘I think my heart’s been taken for a while.’
‘By who?’ Brodie asked.
She held the little silver acorn between her thumb and finger. ‘It doesn’t matter. He’s not available.’
Brodie nodded. ‘Oh, right. Well, if he isn’t available to you, he must be mad.’
She lifted her chin. ‘Oh, yes, I forgot you used to have a crush on me.’
He took a step closer. ‘Used to?’
Her heart skipped and began pounding at her ribs. ‘What do you mean?’ A lump formed in her throat.
He reached out and touched her cheek. ‘I think you know. But I think it’s gone way past being a crush.’
Her eyes welled with tears, and she shook her head. ‘But you’re avoiding romance. You cancelled a date with that stunning woman. You’re not ready, you said so.’
He closed the remaining gap between them until his face was inches from hers. His lips were so close. ‘I was avoiding romance because you were getting married. I cancelled the date because Matilda wasn’t you. I’m not ready to be with someone who isn’t you. Now do you see?’
‘But…’
He slipped his hands into her hair. ‘Olivia, I’ve loved you for so long. I’ve waited for so long. I never thought you’d want to be with someone ordinary like me. I didn’t think I had anything to offer you, especially now you’re Lady MacBain. And I was married, still am, but only on paper, which I know is still massive. But the truth is I’m selfish, so I’ve decided those things don’t matter any more and if you’ll have me, I’m 100 per cent yours. What do you say?’
No words were needed at this point. Olivia chose to show him instead. She reached up and slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him down until their lips met. Her insides turned to jelly once again, and the proverbial thunderbolt finally hit. Olivia knew that from this moment on, that would be how every kiss would feel. Because after all these years of loving one man, she could now call him her own.
EPILOGUE
‘The first Drumblair wedding! We’re getting really good at pulling off things at short notice,’ Bella said as she checked out her reflection in Olivia’s full-length mirror.
Olivia laughed. ‘Yes, but it doesn’t mean we should make a habit of it.’
‘Oh, don’t be a spoilsport. You work great under pressure. Anyway, it’s time. Are you ready?’
Olivia checked her lipstick one last time. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’
They walked down the stairs to the foyer, where Spencer was waiting for them.
Olivia shivered. ‘January is too cold for weddings,’ she said as she wrapped her stole tighter around herself.
‘Bit late to be saying that now.’
They arrived at the chapel and hurried inside to get out of the cold. Thankfully it was a very small ceremony. Kerr was already there and being fussed over by Adaira as usual; whenever she reached up to straighten his pocket square or flatten down an unruly hair, Kerr swatted her hand away as if she was an irritating bug and Olivia felt silently sorry for the woman. Mirren was already there and hugged them both. She looked beautiful in her wedding finery.
Olivia’s eyes settled on Brodie, where he stood flanked by the two dogs, both sporting fancy bow ties. Her heart melted. He looked so handsome, waiting there at the back of the chapel. He made eye contact with Olivia and smiled. She loved him so much it terrified her.
The organist began to play the ‘Wedding March’ and Brodie held out his arm. Mirren slipped her arm through it and reached up to kiss his cheek. Bella and Olivia walked down the aisle first with their bouquets of Christmas roses and baby’s breath. Marley trotted on behind with Wilf’s lead in his mouth to keep the younger dog in check; they looked ridiculously cute, almost like father and son.
Dougie turned and gazed at Mirren; his eyes glassy with emotion as he watched his son walk her towards him. Olivia’s chin began to tremble, and Bella handed her a hanky. At least one of them was prepared.
The vicar began the service to marry Dougie and Mirren.
Back at the castle, the dining room was laid out beautifully. Niccolò had prepared a sumptuous four-course meal for the wedding party and it smelled divine.
