Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
It was so otherworldly that I almost forgot I stood on Ardnoch Estate. It was a moment I was unlikely to forget, and after such a difficult year, it was surreal.
How quickly life can change.
For once, mine had changed for the better, and I wondered if I was really prepared to possibly walk away from this at the end of this year’s school term. The thought filled me with dread, even as I knew I wasn’t ready to admit that I wanted to stay with Brodan in Ardnoch.
31
Monroe
Once the fire dancers finished their display, we returned to find servers with more food waiting as Lachlan announced the procession of the haggis. It had been a long time since I’d taken part in such a traditional Hogmanay celebration, and I shoved my earlier morose thoughts aside to enjoy it. I felt a warm ache of pride in my chest as the bagpiper led in the haggis, the mournful tune of “Auld Lang Syne” seeming to fill the entire castle. Goose bumps prickled my exposed skin, and Brodan, somehow noticing, soothed his palms up and down my arms to warm me.
The servers descended upon us holding more champagne and delicious haggis pastry thingies drizzled in whisky sauce, and I was in food heaven. When the music suddenly stopped, we all turned to see Lachlan standing on the first landing of the main staircase. As the conversation died down, Brodan’s brother raised his glass. “Thank you, honored guests,” his deep voice resonated around the large hall, “for being here to celebrate Hogmanay at Ardnoch.”
I raised my glass with everyone else to cheer, grinning up at Brodan, who smiled tenderly at me.
“There have been some changes here at Ardnoch this year. We welcomed Aria Howard to our staff.” He gestured with his glass to a beautiful, curvy brunette who stood next to Robyn. “As our new hospitality manager, Aria has kept this place running like clockwork while I took some time with my wife and our new daughter, Vivien. To Aria!”
We raised our glasses to her, and the brunette smiled politely at everyone. This was the woman who helped Sloane get the job here. That’s all the information I had so far from Sloane about her mysterious immigration. My curiosity was piqued. Who was Aria Howard? And why did she look so familiar?
“And if you might indulge me—to Robyn and Vivien. I always thought of Ardnoch as home, but as soon as I met you both”—his gaze rested on his wife, his expression blazing with such love, it made me lean back into Brodan—“I realized it was just a place until you. To my true home. To Robyn and Vivien.”
“To Robyn and Vivien!” we cheered. Regan cackled delightedly at the uncomfortable smile on Robyn’s face.
“She hates being the center of attention,” Regan told us gleefully.
“You have a funny way of showing your love sometimes. Do you know that, wife?” Thane said dryly.
“You don’t seem to mind how I show my love to you.”
“Och, enough.” Brodan grimaced. “No brother needs that visual.”
Thane grinned smugly.
Lachlan spoke again over the growing murmurs of the crowd. “I hope as I look out upon you all that you’ve each found your own home, a place where you look forward to being as we enter this new year. Tonight, we let go of yesterday and embrace new beginnings.” Lachlan raised his glass again, and we followed suit. “May ye for’er be happy an’ yer enemies know it! Slàinte Mhath!”
“Slàinte Mhath!” we yelled.
Despite the glamour, the glitz, the famous faces, I had to admit I was enjoying myself. It didn’t surprise me that Lachlan would host a Hogmanay that not only entertained his guests, but respected his Scottish heritage. And honestly, I’d felt nothing but pride to be Scottish and be a part of it, to see all these people from different places all over the world enjoy our traditions too. I’d been so nervous about coming tonight, and yet, I was having a wonderful time. I couldn’t wait to tell Brodan because I knew he’d been nervous about bringing me into this area of his life.
The clock steadily eased toward midnight, and a while later, as Regan and Thane followed Lachlan and Robyn and all the guests outside for the drone display to count down to the bells, Brodan surprised me by holding me back.
I waited with rampant curiosity until only the staff remained in their traditional tailcoats and white gloves.
Once the last guest had gone, an older man in a dark green waistcoat that differentiated him from the rest of the staff approached Brodan. He gave him a small nod and said, “Mr. Adair, we have seen to your requirements.”
Brodan smiled. “Thank you, Wakefield.” Then he tugged on my hand. “Come on.”
“Brodan, where are we going?” I asked, gasping with a bubble of giddiness fed by three glasses of champagne.