I’d woken some time before and had found myself tangled up in bed with Jamie, my body limp from an overload of pleasure and my head resting on his chest.
I’d managed to extract myself from his embrace, needing to take a moment to absorb what the fuck had just happened here.
A conflagration. Combustion. Enough heat to melt all the snow in Scotland. Not that the snow looked like it was stopping any time soon. It was almost full dark outside.
With my skin feeling too sensitised for jeans and scratchy jumpers, I’d searched for and pulled on a pair of Jamie’s sweats, my silk top and a soft hoodie on top hoping he wouldn’t mind, and made my way down to the main part of the castle, trying not to be freaked out by the shadows and those massive portraits on the walls.
Luckily George had found me and appeared to be taking on the role of my companion or protector as I looked around the main reception room. There was more tartan on the rugs and cushions on the couches. It was full of understated Scottish elegance, but it was comfortable. Not too intimidating. The amateur interior designer in me itched to add some brighter more modern touches but that was a dangerous fantasy.
I found a light switch near the Christmas tree and pressed it and the lights came on, warm white and twinkling. It was magical, throwing out a pool of light.
There was lots of dark wood and bookshelves full of books. The huge stone fireplace was bedecked with that gorgeous festive garland.
I noticed some photos on frames on a shelf and went over, turning on a lamp. Golden light illuminated the space and I took one framed picture down to look at it. It showed three children, well – there was one taller boy with slightly darker hair. Jamie was definitely the younger boy of about twelve? And that had to be his twin sister in the middle, grinning goofily. She was really pretty. She shared his dark blond hair and dark eyes, as far as I could make out.
I frowned. Maybe the other boy was a cousin? Jamie hadn’t ever mentioned a brother.
And then I heard a sound behind me and turned around to see Jamie standing in the doorway. Instantly I felt guilty without really knowing why. I gestured to the clothes I’d borrowed. ‘Sorry, I wanted something comfortable and don’t have much with me.’
‘Of course.’ His voice was a bit rough and it made my skin tingle all over again. He was wearing something similar. I was very conscious of the sweats sitting low on his hips. I still felt vulnerable after what had just happened. But not regretful. I’d never regret knowing him again.
He came closer and I could make out his expression which wasn’t all that helpful as it was unreadable. He put out a hand for the photo and I gave it to him. ‘I didn’t mean to be nosy. I was going to go to the kitchen and see if I could rustle something up.’
He put the picture back and then he took my hand and led me back out of the room saying, ‘I’ll heat up some pasta. Rhona left enough food for a month.’
Down in the kitchen it was warm. I watched as Jamie moved around efficiently and asked, ‘So your mother really didn’t want anything to do with the castle?’
Jamie shook his head and let out a short curt laugh. ‘She couldn’t have cared less. She was only here when it suited her to host a social event. Otherwise, she was in more exciting places like Edinburgh or London or New York.’
‘Your father?’
‘Well, he loved it, but he was usually locked in his study poring over some book or other.’
‘He was an academic wasn’t he?’
Jamie nodded.
I said, ‘I’m sorry again, that you lost him. Even if you weren’t close, sometimes that’s even harder.’
He looked at me and then back to the microwave where the plate was going around as the food heated. ‘Yeah, I guess.’
‘Your sister looks like you.’ I felt silly. ‘Well, that would be because you’re twins.’
‘Yes, we’re very similar.’
The microwave pinged and Jamie took out the food and dished it into two bowls. He got wine and glasses and looked at me. I nodded and he poured a generous glass of red wine.
I took a healthy sip of wine, conscious of the divorce papers at the other end of the table, looming like a malevolent shadow in the wings. I wished I hadn’t brought them now.
‘You’re close to your sister?’ I asked as he sat down opposite me.
He nodded. ‘Very, even though we don’t see each other much. Jess is based in London. She works for a not for profit company. She’s very worthy.’ He said this slightly mockingly.
I said, ‘You’re worthy too, Jamie. You work on programs that highlight the importance of our planet.’ I didn’t tell him I’d binge watched everything he’d ever worked on, feeling an almostguilty sense of voyeurism to know that the camera had been like looking through his eyes.
He made a face. ‘Yeah, well, I’m kind of retired now. I do have an apartment in London but I was rarely there. I’ve rented it out. I have to look after this place or it’ll run to ground. But I do have plans to do some teaching in a local university and maybe open it up for film and TV productions. And the nature of the business means there’ll always be some freelance work going, especially up here in Scotland.’
‘That sounds pretty cool.’
