Page 33 of The Scottish Island Wedding

‘I knew that.’

‘Hm. But then, around 1908, your ancestor Dougal Balhennie ran away to sea. We don’t know why. There were legends that he was gay, that he fell in love with someone and it all went wrong. There was certainly a scandal at the time. Anyway, at that point, his cousin, my ancestor, took the lairdship, and we’ve held it ever since.’ James placed his billiard cue in the rack against the wall. ‘I think the issue your father has with it, is that it was legal, my side of the family taking it over – it’s all been documented properly, and it was what had to happen at the time, otherwise the castle and the lairdship would have gone rudderless, so to speak.

‘But he feels it wasn’t ethical, and there’s a lot of mystery about what happened to Dougal Balhennie. I think that your father feels – well, I know he does, because he’s told me repeatedly – that Dougal was chased out. That he was made to leave so that my ancestor could take over. I personally don’t think that’s true, but we don’t know. And Angus remains cross about it. I say, let bygones be bygones, but…’ He shrugged. ‘You know your father.’

‘Yes, I do. But I had no idea about all of this!’ Heather exclaimed. ‘Why didn’t Dad tell us? He’s always talking about the Flag of the Old Ones. That it’s a prophecy. Mind you, I think he’s been going on about it for so long that we’ve all stopped listening. Maybe he did try to tell us about Dougal Balhennie.’

‘Perhaps he did. I believe in the powers of the flag too. Maybe the true laird isn’t me. Maybe I’m not the one favoured by the Fair Folk. But I do my best to look after the castle and the lands, regardless.’ He sighed, and gave Matty and Heather a meaningful look. ‘Anyway. I’ve blathered on long enough. Miss Campbell, why don’t we leave the lovebirds to it, and find some afternoon tea? You must be in need of a scone.’

‘I’ve been stuffed full of cinnamon buns and coffee at the Balhennie Inn, but I can always find room for a scone and some tea,’ Annie laughed. ‘Thank you, James.’

‘Certainly. I’m ravenous after my game with this one.’ He bowed to Matty. ‘Good game, young Campbell. Remember what I told you,’ he said, seriously, before holding his arm out for Annie. ‘I believe we might find your father hiding from the wedding proceedings in the library, dear. Shall we join him there? I’ll call for tea to come to us.’

‘Okay. I’ve yet to say hello to Dad.’ Annie sighed. ‘Dad, I can cope with. I’m happy to avoid Mum for a bit longer.’

Heather felt the silence between her and Matty stretch as they politely watched Annie and her uncle leave. When it was finally just the two of them, she expected Matty to take her in his arms and hold her tight, but he merely sat down on one of the brown leather sofas and motioned for her to sit next to him.

‘We’ve got a lot to talk about, Heather,’ he said, in a serious tone. ‘And, this time, I want you to listen to everything I’ve got to say.’

FIFTEEN

‘The first thing I want to say is that I love you, Heather. And I’m sorry that I went away and left you without much of an explanation. I’m sorry I left you with my family. I know Mum can be difficult,’ Matty began, taking Heather’s hand. ‘But I wasn’t lying. I did get called away unexpectedly for work.’

‘At the charity?’ Heather closed her eyes for a moment, letting the feeling of Matty’s skin on hers calm her. She’d always been able to feel energy from other people, and see auras: part of why she loved Matty was his calming, grounded vibe. His aura was usually green or blue. She’d thought that being with Matty would give her the same kind of secure love as she felt with her family, but, lately, it hadn’t.

‘No. This is the part I knew you wouldn’t like. I help Dad out with some legal work sometimes, and he asked me to look at some aspects of the acquisition of the land for this golf course. I know, I know.’ He held up his hands as if in self-defence. ‘I know that you disapprove of the golf course. I do too. But I can’t stop it happening. I don’t have any say in Dad’s businesses. All I can do is help him out legally so that he doesn’t get in hot water for some of this stuff. Unfortunately, he and Mum have a history of consulting less-than-tip-top advisers for their affairs.’

‘Oh.’ Heather waited for Matty to continue.

‘Yeah. But, quite honestly, I’m not a financial advisor, so there’s only a certain amount of help I can be with that.’ Matty frowned. ‘My brothers are supposed to look after the family finances, and I can’t say they’re doing a fantastic job.’

‘Maybe they’ve spent too much time skiing.’ Heather couldn’t resist a little joke at Gerald and Estella’s expense.

‘You laugh, but I think that’s exactly what happened. We used to take care of everything in the family. But I know that Gerald and Charles outsourced some of their financial management a while back.’ Matty shrugged. ‘They got carried away with being celebrities. Being on the scene. Parties. Who knows who, blah blah blah.’ He stuck out his tongue. ‘You know I hate all that, right? I’ve never wanted to be involved in the Campbell family media bandwagon.’

‘I know. And it helps to know that you were actually needed urgently for work; I was convinced it was just an excuse. But you could have communicated better. You were so distant,’ Heather said, as gently as she could.

‘I know. That’s what I’m ashamed of, baby.’ Matty looked at his hands. ‘Yes, I had to work. And I was concerned about what you’d think about the golf course. I know it’s an environmental nightmare. If I told you about that, I would have had to tell you about my family. I know it’s stupid; you were going to find out, but… I just couldn’t think how to tell you. I was so afraid that you’d hate me.’

Heather was so relieved that they were finally having an honest conversation. That was the behaviour of a secure love: being able to be honest and open with each other, without anyone flying off the handle. People made mistakes. That was just human. In a secure relationship, people discussed things, shared their feelings and reaffirmed their love.

‘I don’t hate you, darling. I love you,’ she said softly.

‘I know that you do. I… I sometimes don’t feel that I deserve it.’ Matty shook his head. ‘You’re such a pure, loving soul, Heather. I just… I felt terrible about having kept my family secret from you, and then I freaked out about marrying you. I got nervous. I thought you didn’t want me any more. I love you so damn much, I guess… I guess I don’t know how to deal with it sometimes.’

‘What in the world would make you think I wouldn’t want you?’ Heather cried out, half in exasperation and half in relief. She was so happy to hear Matty say that he loved her.

‘Because. Because I wasn’t truthful with you. Because I freaked out and ran away, into my shell. It doesn’t feel very grown-up.’ He sighed. ‘You’re so at one with your emotions. I am… less so.’ He gave her an awkward smile.

‘Why do you think that is?’ Heather asked, gently.

‘Are you therapizing me?’ He shot her a wry grin.

‘Ha. No, but I do think everyone should see a therapist, regardless of whether they think they need to. Mum’s started seeing one and it’s been amazing for her. I was thinking of starting to see one, too. Not because I have any major trauma, but I believe in healing. I’ve done a lot of body-focused healing, but I haven’t tried a talking therapy.’

‘That’s great that your mum’s feeling the benefits of it. I…’ He sighed, and hung his head again. Heather thought the posture was reminiscent of shame, and her heart hurt at the thought that Matty would ever be ashamed of himself. ‘I’ve actually been seeing a therapist for about a year. Again, I didn’t tell you. In case you thought I was… you know. Mad.’

‘Oh, sweetheart.’ Heather exhaled. ‘Listen. I’m delighted that you are seeing a therapist. But why didn’t you mention it? It’s not a bad thing. It’s a positive thing.’