Page 48 of Playing to Win

“You haven’t got people for that?”

“No one enters my home save a handful of trusted friends. I clean the rooms myself.”

Colin chuckled. “Such sacrifice. You deserve a medal.”

“Only a small one, as I do have a laundry service.” Ah, how he’d missed their banter.

“Right. So, phone me back when you’ve got that invitation read.”

“I’ll do it now,” Andrew said with a melodramatic sigh as he floated out into the reception room, where the invitation waited on the dining table. Colin’s call had made him vastly more giddy than he could have predicted.

“I wanted to say—” Colin cleared his throat. “See, I’m sorry I fucked off home that morning in Edinburgh. It was a shit thing to do.”

Andrew smiled as he opened the envelope. “I forgive you.”

“Thanks.” Colin let out a deep breath that made Andrew’s toes curl, remembering how it had felt against his ear. “I guess I was a wee bit overwhelmed by it all. The hotel, the plague doctor, the games we played—”

“Mm-hm.” Andrew pulled out the invitation, frowning at its gilded edges (a tad gauche, really) and began to read.

“—but I was a total coward, so I hope—”

Andrew burst out laughing.

“Are you laughing at me?” Colin asked in a wounded voice.

“No, no. I’m sorry. I was listening to you, but the wording on this invitation, my God. ‘Lord and Lady Kirkross request the pleasure of your company at a reeling party on Saturday, 27thof September, to celebrate Scotland’s wise decision to remain part of the Union.’ Incredibly cheeky of Mum.”

“That’s one word for it. I cannae wait to see her face when we win independence.”

Andrew spun around, pumping his fist.Got you.“So you’ll attend the party, then.”

Colin hesitated. “I didnae say that.”

“It’s the only occasion you’re likely to see her face.” He reminded himself not to spook Colin. “No need to decide this instant. Take some time and think about it.”

“Okay.”

“Though you should know, John and Fergus are attending, so it’ll be a chance to impress your captain.” Andrew spun the invitation on the table’s smooth glass top. “If that sort of thing is important to you.”

Colin sighed. “It says ‘evening dress.’ That means white tie, right?”

“Yes, a reeling party is basically a ball. But I’ll see to your formalwear, of course.” Andrew licked his lips at the thought of Colin in a tuxedo kilt. “It’s my invitation, it’s only fair.”

“Why do you want me at this party? You trying to prove something to your family?”

Andrew admired Colin’s wary astuteness. “It’s got nothing to do with them and everything to do with you.”

“Gonnae no try to clean me up and pass me off as a toff. Like some kindaPygmalionthing.”

“Please, I’m no Henry Higgins.” Andrew strolled back to his bedroom. “I like you the way you are.”

Colin was silent for a few moments. “It still feels like a trick.”

Andrew should have been exasperated. Instead, he felt sad at Colin’s inability to trust. “Look, I abandoned you, then you abandoned me. Can we call it a draw and begin again?”

“How?”

“Well, for starters…” He sank onto the cool, white-cotton duvet atop his queen-size bed. “Where are you and what are you wearing?”

---