‘It’s not that I don’t like her. But I can’t say I approve of the way she’s treated Cameron and little Ian…’ Jessie stopped, seemingly aware she had said more than she should.
Meagan leaned closer. ‘What do you mean?’
‘She had an affair—that’s why she and Cameron divorced. She met someone wealthier than Cameron. I imagine being Lady Rachel and living up here wasn’t what she had expected it to be, and I guess she thought her lover could provide the jet-set life she thought she was getting when she married Cameron.’
‘Cameron must have been devastated,’ Meagan responded, wondering how a man like Cameron would feel about being betrayed by someone he loved. Perhaps they had more in common than she’d thought.
‘I think it was her abandonment of Ian that hurt him most. Cameron would never put his own needs above that of his child, and he couldn’t understand how Rachel could risk losing her son. On the other hand, he was happy that she handed over custody of Ian to him.’
How could any woman give up her family? Meagan was thinking. How she would have loved to be in Rachel’s shoes, with an adorable son and a husband who loved her. It seemed that now Jessie had started, she was determined to go on.
‘Rachel doesn’t seem to care for her son. Not the way most mothers do. As far as I can tell, she uses him simply as a way to Cameron.’ Then she looked aghast. ‘I’m sorry, Meagan. Please, forgive me. I have no business discussing the family’s affairs. Just forget I said anything. Its just—’
‘Go on,’ said a quiet voice behind them. The two women whirled round. Engrossed, neither of them had heard Cameron come in. Meagan felt herself go red. What on earth must he be thinking? she wondered. Finding the pair of them discussing him and his relationship with his ex-wife.
‘Just what is it, Jessie, that you have no business telling Meagan?’ Cameron persisted. He narrowed his eyes.
Jessie sprang to her feet.
‘Rachel. She shouldn’t be living apart from her son,’ she said fiercely. ‘That child needs a mother.’
‘What Rachel chooses to do is up to her. But—’ his gaze softened ‘—you are right. Every child deserves two parents. And it’s up to the parents to make that happen—both parents.’
‘But if she won’t live here?’ Jessie persisted.
‘Then perhaps I’ll have to move back to London,’ Cameron said. ‘But whatever Rachel and I decide to do, it’s up to us. For the time being, please don’t bore Meagan with my problems.’
Meagan could still feel the heat in her face. At the same time she was dismayed at the thought of Cameron returning to London. Why she should, she had no idea. It would be far better that they live miles apart. Maybe then she’d get him out of her system. Horrified at the direction her thoughts were taking, she stood up.
‘Thanks for the tea, Jessie, but I should let you get on.’
‘You’re welcome,’ Jessie said. ‘You haven’t forgotten the ball? Simon—Cameron’s younger brother—and a few of his friends are arriving the Friday before.’ And Meagan caught her small smile and dreamy look.
So that’s the way the land lay. She hoped her new friend wasn’t laying herself open to have her heart broken. Of course, Meagan hadn’t met this Simon, but if he was anything like his brother, Meagan worried for Jessie.
‘I’m looking forward to it,’ Meagan said. ‘Although I’m still not sure what to wear.’
‘Rachel offered you something,’ Cameron said, sweeping his eyes over Meagan like a pro. ‘You’re about the same size, although I think you’re about an inch or two shorter.’
‘I would lend you something,’ Jessie said, eyeing Meagan’s figure enviously, ‘but I doubt I have anything that’ll fit. No, I’m afraid Rachel is your best bet.’
‘Rachel left this morning,’ Cameron said. ‘She won’t be back until the day of the ball. However, I’m sure she won’t mind if you help yourself to something from her wardrobe.’
Meagan was aghast. ‘I couldn’t possibly,’ she said, shaking her head firmly. It was bad enough that she coveted Rachel’s ex-husband, without borrowing her clothes too.
‘Tell you what,’ Jessie said thoughtfully. ‘There’s a lovely little boutique in Stornoway—I know you have a few weeks but we could take a trip up there this afternoon.’ Jessie brightened at the thought. ‘I could do with getting myself some bits and pieces, and it would be nice to have a day out. We could take Ian and Effie.’
‘Sounds like a good idea,’ Cameron said. ‘While you two are organising that, I’m off to check on the fences. Someone phoned to say there was a break near the east perimeter. And Simon’s weekend guests are hoping for some shooting, aren’t they, Jessie?’
‘Mmm, and fishing too. I expect you’ll be joining them?’
‘Too right,’ said Cameron. ‘Apart from the fishing I’m looking forward to seeing Simon again. How long is it since he was last here?’
Jessie blushed. ‘Five weeks.’ She attempted an airy wave that fooled no one. ‘But who’s counting?’
In the end, Jessie, Meagan, Effie and Ian all clambered into Meagan’s Land Rover for the short ferry trip and drive into town. The children were excited at the prospect of a day out, but had promised to be on their best behaviour, which would be rewarded with ice cream sundaes in a café. True to their word, they sat patiently in the dress shop, albeit giggling at Meagan as she tried on numerous totally unsuitable dresses.
Jessie was searching through a row of gowns. Every so often she would pull one out, hold it up against Meagan then with a click of her tongue return it to the rail. Eventually she pulled out a floor-length dress of shimmering deep green silk.
‘This is it!’ she said excitedly. ‘This one matches your eyes perfectly. Go on. Try it on.’
Meagan eyed the gown suspiciously. It looked a little too low cut for her liking, but to keep Jessie happy she tried the dress on. The silk fabric fell about her body and she could feel the fabric cling to her body. Jessie was right—it did match her eyes. And she did feel like a million dollars. Jessie wolf whistled.
‘You look stunning,’ she said. ‘Every eye on the room will be on you.’ Casting a look back at the children to make sure they couldn’t hear her, she added. ‘That will annoy Rachel no end. Sorry, sorry,’ she said as she caught Meagan’s warning look. ‘No more bitchiness—I promise.’
Meagan resisted the urge to pick up their discussion where they had left it earlier that day.
She twirled, enjoying the sensuous feel of the fabric against her skin.
‘Now all we need to do,’ Jessie said smugly, ‘is find matching shoes and a bag.’
Meagan looked over at the two children, who had begun to wriggle with boredom.
‘After we have that ice cream we promised, I think,’ she said.
Ian skipped over to her and wrapped his small arms around her legs.
‘I like you being here,’ he said simply. Meagan swallowed the lump in her throat.
‘C’mon, then, guys, let’s get out of here!’
The days on Uist passed almost too quickly for Meagan. Every morning she saw her patients, then after that she and Cameron would divide the visits between them, before meeting back at the surgery to discuss and review that day’s patients.
Mostly the patients Meagan saw were straightforward to