Page 20 of Utterly Dauntless

Before Aries could process it all, she found herself being ushered into a large taxi. She faced the rear with Grey on her left. The sisters took the seats opposite and insisted that a nervousCarson sit between them. That left the other four men to pack into the second car along with a large bag Wyndham had carried from the plane.

The close quarters of the taxi meant her thigh pressed against Grey's, and every tiny movement of the vehicle caused their hips to brush. She tried to focus on what she would say to Craig Campbell, but Grey's proximity commanded her attention. He smelled of body wash and...Grey, and the taste of him on her tongue invited a flood of memories she'd tried so hard to forget.

"It will be fine," Grey said, to the taxi at large. "The sisters would ken it if we were heading for trouble."

Carson's eyes widened and he held perfectly still, as if just realizing he was seated between two actual witches.

Aries gave him a smile and a wink. If he thought Grey was joking, he might not be so uptight. But when Loretta patted Carson’s knee, it was a wonder he didn't fly straight out through the roof.

Loretta didn't seem to notice. "The family will be taken to the conservatory for lunch at 11:30, where we'll all be waiting. We thought that would be best—neutral ground, lots of witnesses."

"And a lovely view of the gardens," Lorraine added. "Very soothing."

Aries nodded, her throat too tight to speak. She'd spent years running from her past mistakes, and now she was about to face another one head-on. At least Craig didn't remember what she'd done to him. But his brother did, and that was the whole point. If she could at least get the two back on the same side, it wouldn't matter what they ultimately thought of her.

Grey's hand rested on her upper arm, briefly, as if he wanted to offer comfort but wasn't sure she would welcome it. As he pulled away, she caught his fingers and gave them a squeeze before letting go. Whatever happened next, she was grateful not to be facing it alone.

The Blythswood's stately facade came into view, and Aries took a slow shuddering breath. Time to face the music. Again.

The conservatory wasa masterpiece of glass and iron, flooding the space below with natural light that sparkled off cut crystal and polished silverware. Potted palms created intimate spaces between tables draped in crisp white linens. Through the soaring windows, the garden of manicured hedges waited to be appreciated.

Aries stood near a tall window wishing she dared lean her shoulder against the cool clean surface. The others had spread themselves casually around the room—the sisters at a corner table sharing tea, Shug's yellow tartan brightening a leather chair near the entrance, the rest of the men positioned strategically but not obviously around the perimeter.

And down the center of the room, a long table with tented napkins and table settings for fourteen until a staff member in a white jacket came through the doorway, consulted with Loretta, then took one of the settings away.

Grey leaned against a pillar a few feet from Aries, pretending to study the leaves of a palm while stealing glances in her direction. She caught him more than once, and each time their eyes met, the air between them crackled with unspoken words. She forced herself to look away, to focus on what needed to be done, but she was hyper aware of his every breath.

At precisely 11:30, Craig Campbell appeared in the doorway with his family. Despite their age difference, he and Carson could pass for twins. His wife was a petite blonde with kind eyes, and their teenagers—a lanky boy and an equally willowy girl—trailed behind, taking pictures with their phones. Craig's stepfaltered when he caught sight of Carson, then his face lit with genuine pleasure.

"Carson! What in Heaven's name?" He strode forward with open arms. "Ye arranged all this?"

Carson accepted the embrace awkwardly. "Aye, well, not?—"

"Ye should have just come to the house, ye daft man. Ye're always welcome."

"And ye're always welcomeback home.”

"I work a lot," Craig explained. "Barely see the weans myself these days. Right, Emma?" He squeezed his daughter's shoulder.

The girl looked up from her phone to nod, then seemed to realize how much her father and Carson looked alike. "Dad's never home before eight."

"This is brilliant though." Craig beamed. "A proper family weekend."

A server appeared with a tray of champagne flutes. Something sparkling and golden for the adults, and pink lemonade for the teens. As the drinks were distributed, Aries stepped forward before she lost her nerve. "Mr. Campbell? I'm afraid I'm the reason for all this."

Craig's brow furrowed as he studied her face. "Do I ken ye?"

"No. But I'm the reason your brother's been...troubled...all these years." She swallowed hard. "I used to be…Iam…Aries Muir." The man wouldn’t care about the small detail of her handfasting, whether or not it had any legal significance.

Carson's wife gasped softly. "The witch girl? The one who?—"

"There are no such things as witches," their son muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Actually, there are." Loretta rose from her corner table. "Your uncle has been telling the truth all along."

Craig shook his head. "Look, I dinnae ken what this is about?—"

"When you were boys," Aries cut in, "at my father's funeral, I wished you away. Both of you. Into nowhere." Her voice shook but held steady. "Carson remembers but he shouldn't have. Your memories were supposed to be altered. For some reason, it didn't work on your brother."

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