A ridiculous thought. Callum knew what time she was leaving. There was no way he’d still be abed.
Lucas’ face crumpled.
“Oh, Melody, I’m sorry. I went to his room to try to convince him to come down. He was in there, but the door was locked. He’s nae comin’ down.”
“Nae comin’ down?” Sophie snapped. “I think nae. Wait for a while, Melody. I’ll fetch him.”
“No, no,” she answered firmly. “I don’t want that to happen, Sophie. It’s kind of you, but… no. I don’t think Callum enjoys goodbyes very much. It’s time I left, anyway. Thank you all for your hospitality and your attention to me. I’ll never forget the past few weeks, and nor will I forget you.”
She gave each of them a bright smile and turned to the coach. Placing her foot on the step, Melody could not quite help turning back to the keep. Part of her had expected to see Callum in the doorway. Last night, she’d dreamt that he came running out to stop her, catching her up into his arms and begging her to stay.
A silly dream, really. There was no sign of him, either in the doorway or at any of the windows.
He really isn’t going to see me off.
Letting out her breath in a long, ragged exhale, Melody climbed into the coach and shut the door behind her.
The study door flew open, knocking against the wall behind it. Callum flinched, nearly spilling his whisky.
“Only me,” Lucas announced tautly, striding in. “I see ye have unlocked yer door now.”
Callum clenched his jaw, turning back toward the fire. “Go away, Lucas.”
“Sophie wanted to come and speak to ye. I didn’t imagine she’d be very helpful, so I suggested that I would come instead. Melody left this in her room.”
He held out a long scroll, tied with a linen ribbon. Callum eyed it sullenly.
“Then send it after her.”
“If she’d wanted to keep it, she’d have taken it. I think that ye should see it.”
“I daenae want to look at it.”
Lucas gave a growl of annoyance. He came stamping forward, putting himself between Callum and the fireplace.
“Get up,” he demanded.
Callum stretched out his legs, making no move to get up from his armchair.
“Nay, Lucas. Are ye challengin’ me to a duel?”
Lucas bounced on the balls of his feet. “Maybe.”
Callum scoffed. “Get lost.”
“Melody broke the horse ye carved for her, ye ken.”
He swallowed. “I gave it to her. She can do as she wishes with it.”
“Huh. I came to tell ye that I understand why ye let Melody go.”
Callum stiffened at this, glancing warily up at his friend. “Oh, is that so?”
“Aye, it is so.”
“And what is it that ye understand so keenly? Be warned, I’m nae in the mood for nonsense, Lucas.”
“Ye are never in the mood.”
