Some Like It Scot by Donna Kauffman Page A

stated, not as a question, for it was clear on her face, and in every word she spoke.
    â€œI do.”
    â€œSo why no’ marry him?”
    She looked down at her hands as she twisted her fingers together. “He’s family to me. In many ways, the only real family I have, if you’re talking about the loving, supportive kind. And I am that for him. We grew up together, more like puppies from the same litter. It was always assumed, for as long as I can recall, that we’d end up together. Our families openly wanted that and acted accordingly.”
    â€œAnd you and Blaine?”
    â€œWe went along, at least at first. It was a grand game as children, then a trusted bond as adolescents.”
    â€œAnd as teenagers?”
    She ducked her head again. “That’s when it became something of a challenge. But we’d agreed for so long, allowed them to mold us, push us, for so long, mostly because it was just easier that way. We always thought we’d each meet someone, and take our stand when it finally mattered. Only we never did. Or I never did. Blaine didn’t want to push it, and so we never said anything, never told them…”
    â€œWhat? That you were more siblings than romantic partners in your feelings for each other?”
    â€œOh, they knew that. Anyone with eyes in their head could see we had no romantic interest in each other.”
    â€œYet they continued to presume—”
    â€œOh, you have no idea how presumptuous they can be. My parents as well as Blaine’s, are both in marriages that are and always have been far more advantageous business arrangements than love matches. They see that kind of dispassionate union as powerful, because you’re not compromising any part of yourself, while acknowledging that the whole is stronger than the sum of its parts—particularly as it applies to the company bottom line. When it comes to McAuley-Sheffield, it’s always about the bottom line. So it wouldn’t have mattered if we’d hated each other on sight at birth, the outcome would have been all the same. In fact, I’m sure they saw our tight bond as a detriment, only because that kind of thing clouds good judgment.”
    She recited that last part as if she’d heard it quoted to her on a frequent basis. Given her rather chilling description of her family, he wouldn’t doubt that she had. He could also see why she’d clung to her childhood friend for so long. He’d been the one source of unconditional love she’d had.
    â€œIt does sound quite dispassionate, aye, but then my country’s history is rife with far more arranged marriages than no’. On my very own island, our own history is much the same. Though I’m fortunate enough to have been raised by parents, at least early on, and grand and great grandparents, each of whom made a fully committed love match, that just also happened to fulfill clan laws.”
    â€œBut not you?”
    â€œWell, I wasna exactly focused on looking. My efforts and energies have been focused elsewhere for a long time, in service to my clan, and to our future.”
    â€œEven when you knew it was coming? Or did your turn as…what is it called? Island leader?”
    â€œClan chief. Laird.”
    â€œRight. That. Did that come suddenly?”
    â€œNo’ entirely, no. But everyone knows my heart is fully dedicated to seeing us through, to better times.”
    â€œIf this other person, Iain, did you say? If he hadn’t shown up, do you think you’d still be stuck with fulfilling the law?”
    â€œI had thoughts on how to get past it.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œThe law is outdated, kept more out of sentiment than need. I thought to get them to vote it out of existence.”
    â€œWould they have?”
    He lifted a shoulder. “I canno’ say, but the vote had to be unanimous, so it would have taken some doing with the elders on the