Beautiful Illusions Duet Bundle: Eighty-One Nights and Beautiful Ever After

by Georgia Cates

  An ordinary woman wouldn’t be able to withstand the shite coming our way. I wouldn’t drag Lou into this fight if I thought that she couldn’t handle it. But I know she can. She’s the strongest woman I know. And she makes me a stronger man.

  It’s official. Our intent to be married next month has been recorded. All we have to do is plan a wedding and count down the days until Lou is my wife.

  “Our wedding will need to be small without any formal announcements.”

  “I don’t care about that stuff, Hutch. Small and hushed is fine with me. Becoming your wife is the only thing that matters to me.”

  Everything about this time around is different.

  Mina wanted a wedding fit for a king and queen. It was a production for those within our world who Mina felt that she must impress. In the end, it was more like a runway show than nuptials.

  Lou is the exact opposite. For mo maise, our wedding is about our union. Becoming husband and wife. And I adore that about her.

  “I want to go to Glasgow tomorrow and tell my family about our engagement.”

  “I would love to do that.”

  And with our happy news comes sad. “I have to tell them the truth about Ava Rose.”

  “It’s going to break their hearts.”

  “Aye, but I can’t keep it from them any longer. The truth is going to come out eventually, and it’s better if they hear it from me first.”

  “I know and you’re right. But it’s just so unfair to have your hand forced like this.”

  I want the entire family to be at Mum and Dad’s tomorrow when we tell them about our engagement. And that means I can no longer put off telling Lou about Ian’s pregnant girlfriend.

  “There’s something I’ve not told you. It’s not because I was keeping it secret. I just wasn’t sure how to tell you. I’m still not sure I know how.”

  The wind catches Lou’s hair, sending it into a whirl. I wrap my arms around her and she pushes her hands into the pockets of my wool coat.

  “You can tell me anything. Just say it.”

  It’s been two months since my brother told me and the idea still hasn’t sunk into my brain. “It’s Ian. He’s going to be a father.”

  It takes a moment for Lou to respond. “That’s unexpected.”

  I know this must be painful for her to hear. “You’ll be seeing the lass at my parents’ house, possibly as soon as tomorrow, and she’s quite pregnant.”

  “I didn’t know Ian had a girlfriend.”

  “He didn’t. The pregnancy is the result of a hookup, but they’re exploring the possibilities of a relationship for the sake of the baby.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Shannon. She’s a nice lass. My family likes her. And my parents are excited about having another grandchild. Especially Mum.”

  “Do they know if it’s a boy or girl?”

  “A girl. Her name is going to be Pearl.”

  “Your first niece.”

  “Our first niece. You’ll be my wife when she’s born.”

  “That’s right.”

  Lou is trying to be happy but I can feel her hurting. Learning about the upcoming arrival of my brother’s new baby is painful for her. And I understand her ache because I feel it too.

  But it won’t always be like this. Our bairn will grow inside of her one day. Soon, I hope.

  49

  Caitriona Louden

  Calvin parks in front of Gus and Clarissa’s house, and I’m anxious. My heart is pounding a million beats a minute and it has nothing to do with winning the approval of my in-laws to be. I already know that Hutch’s family will be pleased about our marriage.

  We should be happy about walking into this house and announcing our engagement. But instead I’m in knots because we’re going to confess everything that Blair has the power to expose.

  Everything about this is unfair. The way Hutch and I met is private. It should only be our business, but Blair is forcing our hand.

  Bitch.

  There are four cars parked in front of the house. “The whole family is here.”

  Great. That means that I get to confess to all of my future in-laws at the same time that I once agreed to be an escort. God, I hope they don’t think poorly of me. But how could they not? Escort. The word is synonymous with so many unsavory terms: prostitute, call girl, whore. The list goes on and on.

  “Are you ready, mo maise?”

  I force a smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Hutch leans over, cradles my face with his hands, and kisses me. It’s so soft and sweet that I feel like I’d float away if he weren’t holding on to me. “No worries. They’re going to be thrilled for us.”

  “I know they’ll be happy about our engagement, but it’s the other stuff that is bothering me.”

  “It’s going to be fine. Let’s just get it out of the way so we can move forward.”

  The scene in the Hutchesons’ living room is a surreal vision of what life with this family is going to be like. Gus in his favorite chair. Ian sitting beside a very pregnant woman on the sofa. Adam and the boys sitting on the rug. Clarissa and Sara absent, presumably in the kitchen finishing dinner.

  Mason waddles over to me and reaches up, attempting to touch Ava Rose’s foot. “Bebe.”

  “Ah, Mason. You want to see your baby cousin?”

  I bend down, bringing Ava Rose to Mason’s level.

  “Bebe.”

  “That’s right. She’s your baby cousin.”

  Mason leans forward, hugging Ava Rose, and she squeals when he squeezes a little too hard.

  “Easy, Mason. She’s still a wee lassie,” Hutch says.

  “Give soft hugs to Ava Rose,” I tell him in my “talk softly to children” voice.

  Mason releases his hold and dashes back to the rug where his toys are.

  “Lou, come over and meet Shannon,” Ian says.

  I sit next to Ian’s pregnant girlfriend and place Ava Rose on my lap. “I’m Caitriona Louden but everyone in this family calls me Lou. And you can too.”

  Hutch introduced me to his family as Lou. It wouldn’t feel right to tell them to call me Cait after all this time.

  “It’s lovely to meet you.”

  I might as well address the elephant in the room. The pink one. “Hutch tells me you and Ian are having a girl and her name is going to be Pearl? Is that a family name?”

  “No, we just like it.”

  “It’s a beautiful name.” Very regal sounding.

  “Thank you.”

  Shannon gestures toward Ava Rose. “Is it all right if I hold her?”

  “Of course.”

  She takes Ava Rose from my arms and places her on her lap. “I should probably get used to this since I’ll have one of my own soon.”

  “True. Your baby will be here before you know it.”

  Her pregnancy is the result of a hookup, not the coming together of two people in love. I wonder if that lessens the way she and Ian feel about the baby. Or do they already love the little girl growing inside her with all of their hearts the way that I loved my baby?

  “She smells so good.”

  “I use lavender and chamomile baby bath-wash and lotion.”

  “Lavender and chamomile. I’ll need to remember that.”

  “Ava Rose’s skin is very sensitive. She has to use a special brand and they don’t sell it in the stores around here. I’ll buy some for Pearl when I place our next order.”

  “That would be great. Thank you.”

  All of us move into the dining room. It’s the first time all eleven—soon to be twelve—of us have come together under this roof and around this table. I’m glad everyone will be here when we share our big news. But I’m not so excited about telling them the unpleasant parts.

  “The cock-a-leekie is delicious. I’ve never had better.”

  “This is my mum’s version. Max has always loved it. I’m happy to teach you how to make it if you’d like.”

  “Yes, I w
ould love to learn. Actually, I’d love to learn anything that you’re willing to teach me about Scottish cuisine. Despite living here for so long, I still don’t know how to cook many dishes.”

  “Don’t let Lou fool you. She can cook. Cajun is her specialty.”

  “A Cajun meal would be a real treat. What could I do to convince you to cook for us one night?” Clarissa asks.

  “No convincing needed. I’d be happy to cook for the family.”

  Clarissa smiles, looking at Hutch and then back to me. And then her eyes move to the enormous diamond on my left hand. “Excuse me, but do you have something that you’d like to tell us?”

  Hutch reaches for my hand, cupping his around mine. “Lou and I have news to share.”

  All eating stops and everyone’s attention focuses on us.

  “I have proposed to Lou and she has agreed to become my wife. We’ve notified the registrar of our intent and we will be married next month.”

  Any doubt that I might have had about Clarissa’s happiness is gone when she squeals and launches herself out of her chair, rushing toward us. “I knew it. I knew you’d be married before the end of the year. Didn’t I tell you, Gus?”

  “Aye. You did, love.”

  My mother-in-law-to-be wraps her arms around me and squeezes tightly. “I am so happy for you.”

  She releases me and takes my left hand, bringing it closer to her face for a better look. “A cushion-cut diamond with a pavé halo. Gorgeous. You did good, my lad.”

  “It’s the most beautiful ring in the world.” I love it.

  “We’re thrilled you’re becoming part of our family,” Clarissa says.

  “I’m happy too.”

  This is what family is about. Happiness. Love. Affection. And I’m finally going to have that in my life for the first time.

  “Congratulations. Have you chosen a date?” Sara asks.

  “We’re looking at the Saturday before Christmas.” It’s the first Saturday following the required waiting period.

  “That doesn’t give you long to plan a wedding. We need to go dress shopping as soon as possible. Even when you buy off the rack, alterations take time. There’s really no time to waste.”

  “We can go tomorrow.” Clarissa turns and looks at me. “That is if you don’t mind shopping for your dress in Glasgow instead of Edinburgh.”

  “Actually, Glasgow is preferable to Edinburgh.”

  Hutch looks at me and we both know that it’s time. We have to tell them the rest.

  “I have more news to share and unfortunately, it’s not as happy.”

  “I’m sure it involves the Lochridges. Your bad news always does.”

  Gus couldn’t be more right.

  “Aye, and it does this time as well.”

  “Let me guess. They aren’t pleased about your engagement?”

  Oh, Clarissa. If only it were that simple.

  “I’m sure they won’t be pleased, but they don’t yet know about our plans to marry. This is about Ava Rose.”

  Clarissa’s eyes dart to her only granddaughter. “Is she all right?”

  “She’s fine. This concerns her custody.”

  “Her custody?” The muscles around Clarissa’s eyes tense, deepening the lines at the corners of her eyes. “What part of her custody could possibly be up for discussion?”

  “Every part of it, I’m afraid.” Hutch clears his throat when his voice breaks on the final word. And my heart aches for him. This is something that he never wanted to tell his parents.

  “My marriage to Mina was over long before she died. We hadn’t shared a bed in over a year when she got into the car accident.”

  A soft gasp catches in Clarissa’s throat. “No, Max.”

  Everyone goes silent around the table except Ava Rose. She frets and I get up, taking her out of her high chair. And as if she feels Hutch’s pain, she puts her arms out for him to take her.

  “It was only natural for everyone to assume that I was Ava Rose’s biological father. And I let everybody believe she was mine because I couldn’t bear to add to their pain.”

  Clarissa’s eyes glisten. “Oh, son. What a terrible burden that must have been for you to bear.”

  “Blair knows everything, including who Ava Rose’s father is. She’s using that knowledge as leverage to blackmail me.”

  “Blackmail you how?” Gus asks.

  “She’s threatening to expose Ava Rose’s paternity if I don’t agree to marry her.”

  “Marry her?” Clarissa laughs, but her laughter is clearly not induced by amusement. “I’m curious to hear how she believes you’ll become her husband when she’s already someone else’s wife.”

  “She wants to divorce Doug and marry me.”

  “That’s insane. She’s aff her heid.” Clarissa mutters a few more words, but I’m not able to make out what they are.

  “I’ve met with a family law solicitor in Glasgow. Alex Kincade. I thought it would be wiser to use someone outside of Edinburgh. Someone outside of Thomas’s reach.”

  Gus nods. “He’s a wise choice. Kincade is the best in the business when it comes to family law.”

  Hutch reaches for my hand beneath the table. “There’s more to Blair’s threats and blackmail.”

  “Bloody hell, what else could there possibly be?”

  Oh, Clarissa. There’s so much more. And I hope that you don’t hate me after you find out about some of the decisions I’ve made.

  “Blair has threatened to expose the circumstances under which Lou and I met if I don’t cut all ties with her.” Hutch rubs his thumb over the top of my hand. “I was very alone, and I had been for a long time before Mina died. We hadn’t been husband and wife in years. I was starving for companionship.”

  Clarissa holds up her hand. “We’re all adults here and understand what that means. You don’t have to explain.”

  “I do have to explain because the origins of my relationship with Lou are going to come to light. Things are going to become ugly with the Lochridges, and we need you to hear the truth from us.”

  “We would never listen to anything the Lochridges have to say about you or Lou. The two of you are adults, and the circumstances under which you met are your business and yours alone. You don’t have to tell us a thing about it.”

  Clarissa is giving us an out. I should be relieved and take the pass she’s offering. But I can’t. I’m going to be in this family for the rest of my life. I don’t want the past to hang over my head.

  “The truth is going to be twisted until it suits Blair’s agenda. They’re going to try to make me look unfit to be Ava Rose’s stepmother.”

  I feel like I need to take this back to the circumstances that led me to Inamorata. “My father and his wife cut me off financially and made me leave their home when I was twenty-one. I got a job at a pub working as a waitress, but I could barely pay my bills. There was no way to pay for tuition with what I was earning.”

  I feel so much shame as I prepare to confess the rest of it. “I took a job as an escort to pay for my two final semesters at uni. It sounds horrible, I know that it does, but I only agreed to go on dates. Dinner and drinks only. No physical contact with clients.”

  I stop and Hutch steps in to take over the story. “The agency was having a gala to introduce new escorts to clients. I met Lou at that party and became her first client. Her first and last. And we spent the next three months together, falling in love.”

  Clarissa smiles. “Never be ashamed of the way you came together. Only be grateful.”

  Many would take this opportunity to shame me for the choices I’ve made, but Clarissa Hutcheson does the opposite. She’s such an incredible woman. What a wonderful mother-in-law she is going to be.

  “Blair has made a lot of threats but hasn’t acted on any of them. We expect that to change when she finds out that Lou and I have married. Hence the reason Mr. Kincade advised us to wed quietly without calling attention to ourselves.”

  “Marriage isn’t a secr
et that’ll keep for long. There will be records. People talk,” Gus warns.

  “We know our time will be limited, but Lou is going to need people who will testify about what kind of wife and stepmother she is. We need time for her to establish that before Blair starts spewing accusations.”

  “I really want you to have a wedding, even if it’s small and secretive. Lou has never been a bride before and she deserves that. You can’t let that special day be taken away from her too.”

  Clarissa is so thoughtful of my feelings.

  Hutch turns to look at me. “You know I’ll give you any kind of wedding you want.”

  “I love the idea of a small, secretive wedding.” It’s actually perfect. I don’t have anyone to invite except Rachel and Claud.

  Sara pushes away from the table. “All women to the living room. Mum, grab your laptop. We have a wedding to plan and not a lot of time to do it.”

  Sara cracks open Clarissa’s computer. “What kind of wedding do you have in mind?”

  I’m not the girl who has a Pinterest board filled with wedding ideas. “I have no idea.”

  We’ve only been engaged for a day. I’ve barely had time for the idea to absorb into my brain.

  “You should choose the venue first. Obviously somewhere away from Edinburgh so word doesn’t get out.”

  “I love castles.”

  “My friend and I went to look at one a few years ago in Perthshire when she was getting married. She didn’t choose it because it only accommodated twenty-four people for a ceremony, but it was breathtaking. I think it could be perfect for you and Max.”

  “Can you show me online?”

  “Of course.”

  We gather behind her and look at the gallery of photographs of the castle. “Oh, Sara. That is stunning. I love it.”

  “You can book the entire castle and stay overnight.” Sara navigates through the gallery of bedroom photos. “Look at the laird’s room. Ideal for a wedding night, right?”

  It’s so romantic. “It’s perfect.”

  “It even has its own wee chapel where the ceremony can take place.”