Page 88 of The Unlikely Heir

“So, you’re not a horsey person like the rest of your family?” I ask.

Callum straightens and quirks an eyebrow at me. “I’ve told you about my attempts to learn to ride a bike. Do you think substituting a living creature with free will would increase my chances of success?”

I can’t help the laugh that falls out of me. It’s a laugh I didn’t know I was capable of producing. A free, joyful sound. A smile lights up Callum’s face in response.

This is what Callum and I do.

We animate each other.

Nicholas and Bruce come clattering across the courtyard together.

Nicholas tilts his head, his gaze shooting between Callum and me. “What’s the joke?”

“I was just telling Oliver about my incredible lack of talent on a horse,” Callum says.

“Well, I imagine that could keep someone laughing for days,” Nicholas says. “Shall we get this gear loaded up?”

Bruce, a rangy guy in his fifties, has no problem bossing the prime minister and two princes about the best way to load up a Land Rover with a day’s supply of fishing equipment.

When we’ve finished, Nicholas brandishes two sets of Land Rover keys. “Shall we shove off? Prime Minister, do you want to ride with me?”

“All right,” I say.

I settle into my seat next to Nicholas, and the Land Rover jolts to life, tailing the one in front with Callum and Bruce.

It’s a relief not to be in the same vehicle as Callum because close proximity to him is not what I need right now.

But as Nicholas expertly navigates the bumpy track, chatting away, all his clever words and smooth charm do is underscore the difference between him and his brother. Reminding me how talking to Callum brings a lightness I’ve never felt before.

Bloody hell. I’m not even spending time with Callum, yet my feelings for him are deepening. I run a hand through my hair and look out at the spectacular Scottish scenery, the hills soaring up to the sky. The loch in the distance shimmers like a sheet of glass against the backdrop of bracken and heather. It’s the type of landscape that puts human worries into perspective.

“Right, this is us.” Nicholas pulls off the side of the track next to where Bruce has parked.

We focus on getting the equipment out from the cars, and then Nicholas and Bruce set off confidently down the path towards the river. I head after them, listening to Callum’s soft footfalls behind me. When they suddenly stop, I spin around.

Callum’s crouching and examining something in the tall blades of grass.

“What have you found?” I ask, retracing my steps up the path towards him.

When I reach him, I see the spider web that has captured his attention. It hangs suspended between two small branches of bracken, glittering with dew drops in the early morning light. It’s like delicate lacework shimmering with tiny crystal orbs.

“It’s a small thing of beauty.” He grins at me, and the delight on his face causes an extra beat of my heart.

I have my own definition of a thing of beauty.

It appears I can’t completely conceal my thoughts from my gaze because Callum’s smile flickers, then fades.

For a few seconds, we remain locked in each other’s gazes. My hand twitches to reach out and touch his beautiful face, his golden hair lit by the morning light.

I clear my throat, moving my gaze back to the spider web. The strands of sunlight hitting the droplets cause an intricate dance of colors.

“I actually agree that deserves to be somewhere on the spectrum of magical,” I say. Despite my best attempt, my voice retains a rawness that betrays the emotions swirling inside me.

“Magic is everywhere when you look for it,” he replies softly.

“You two all right back there?” Nicholas’s voice comes from the other side of the trees.

“Coming,” Callum calls back, straightening.