Page 64 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
‘Married?’ Effie repeated, her eyes widening. ‘Is that true?’ She looked around the room, her jaw wide.
Mairi let out a long breath. ‘Aye.’ She swallowed. ‘I’m so sorry, Aunt Effie – we should have told you but?—’
‘Why didn’t you, lass?’ She looked hurt.
‘It’s a long story,’ Quinn said. ‘And I’m not sure it’s important that we go into it now.’
‘Oh, but it is.’ The older woman shook her head as if trying to clear it. ‘Has this got something to do with the accident or the fact that Jed couldn’t ski after?’ She turned her gaze to Mairi again, her mouth pinching. ‘I thought he was mostly over that. Did his da have anything to do with this?’ Her voice was bleak.
‘I—’ Mairi couldn’t face explaining. It wasn’t going to help and rehashing the mess that was her marriage was only going to make them all feel worse.
‘In a nutshell – yes to all of it,’ Kenna said flatly, and Effie rolled her eyes. ‘Jed doesn’t think he’s good enough for Mairi. I have to say, I think he’s right.’
Effie winced. ‘Ach. My brother-in-law has a lot to answer for.’ Her gaze fixed back on Mairi. ‘You leave this with me,hennie– I’m going to go home to get something and then I’m going to talk with the lad.’ With that, she strode out of the door.
‘I didn’t think this could get any worse. I didn’t want Effie to know, if she gets involved, Jed will be furious,’ Mairi stressed, trying to sit up. She swung her legs to the side, intending to get up.
‘You’re still under observation.’ Quinn moved so he was standing by her side.
‘I need to get back to Edinburgh. I need to put this whole thing behind me. If I’m not here?—’
‘What?’ Kenna snapped. ‘You can avoid it? Sounds like you’re taking a leaf out of your husband’s book. You’re running, Mairi,’ she said, her voice gentle. ‘How are you ever going to deal with your feelings if you don’t face them?’
‘Aye,’ her brother said, although he looked confused.
‘Iamdealing with them.’ Mairi folded her arms. ‘I came here to get a divorce and I’m going to get it.’
‘A divorce?’ Quinn asked, clearly baffled. ‘Already?’
‘Another long story,’ Kenna said as Mairi shifted her bottom to the edge of the bed and Quinn took her arm when her feet hit the ground and she trembled.
‘I’m okay,’ she promised. ‘I’ve been through worse than a bump on the head.’ Her heart was in a million pieces, and she doubted it would ever mend.
‘Are you sure a divorce is what you want?’ Quinn asked, gently bending to look into her face.
‘Aye,’ Kenna hummed. ‘I can’t believe I’m agreeing with your brother – but Mairi, a few hours ago you were looking forward to announcing your marriage to the world. You were so happy. I actually thought you might finish your book.’
‘Things have changed,’ Mairi said, carefully leaning down so she could retrieve her clothes from the bedside cabinet before she started to shuffle towards the door. She was going to have to find somewhere private to dress so she could sign herself out. ‘I’vechanged,’ she said determinedly. At least she’d learned not to look for miracles – they were about as reliable as true love.
‘But Jed loves you…’ Quinn said, pulling a face. ‘I can’t believe I’m saying that but?—’
‘What – you think someone’s good enough for me now?’ Mairi snapped, spinning around, even though it made her dizzier.
Her brother shrugged, looking helpless. ‘I’ve seen you together, remember – watched the way you light up when he’s in the room. I’m not saying I had a clue about what was going on. But now I look back, I…’ He puffed out a breath.
‘Aye, you were clueless,’ Kenna agreed cheerfully. ‘But I like clueless sometimes.’
Quinn gave her a grateful smile.
‘Jed and I are not going to work.’ Mairi ignored the hard knot that formed in her stomach when she said the words. ‘I’ve been chasing love for too many years – after our parents died.’ She cast her mind back. All that pain, all that need. She’d been overwhelmed by it. ‘I married Mike for the wrong reasons. Even the idea of dating Harry had more to do with how much he adored me than how I felt.’ Her shoulders sagged. ‘I dived headlong into those relationships because it’s always been Jed for me. And because I couldn’t have him, I settled. But we’re married and I still don’t have him.’ She sighed. ‘Not really. So it’s time I let him go.’
‘Because there’s no hope?’ Quinn asked quietly. ‘Because even though Jed lied to me, and made you lie too, he’s my friend and he’s not a bad man. I don’t believe you can’t fix this. If you wanted to.’
‘I do love a man intent on coming to the rescue,’ Kenna murmured.
Mairi shook her head. ‘There’s always been a reason for why we can’t be together. First it was my age, then it was you.’ She nodded at her brother. ‘Then it was the accident, and now it’s his father’s debt. What’s it going to be next?’
‘Those are pretty valid reasons,’ Quinn said seriously.
