Chapter 13 #2
Aisling huffed and turned on her heel. Rory bit back a smile, waiting until her sister had fully ascended the stairs. Then she finally turned to him. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“You have nothing to apologise for. It’s nice that your sister cares.”
“I think she cares a little too much.”
He drew closer, picked up her hand. “She just doesn’t want to see you get hurt.” He placed her hand around his waist, and she took that as an invitation to place the other around him too.
“Do you think she really did mean there isn’t more accommodation or would she have said that to get me out of the way?”
She wouldn’t put it past her. “I’ll check.”
“In a minute. This is nice.”
It was nice, standing here in the foyer, soft dim lights around. His arms around her, hers around him, reminding her that he was a solid guy. Someone dependable.
“This is really nice,” he said softly, before his head bent, lowering to hers.
She tilted her chin up, saw the intention in his eyes, and closed hers.
Then the front door rattled, and she jerked out of his arms. “Oh! Someone is trying to get in.”
“Awesome.”
Yes, she shared his frustration. But she couldn’t exactly leave Mrs. Mitchell outside. She opened the door. “Hello!”
“Oh, Aurora! How kind of you to open up for us. I was just looking for the key-card but couldn’t seem to find it.”
“It’s handy to have for out-of-hours but I just so happened to be here.”
“With your handsome young man, I see.” Mrs. Mitchell beamed. “Tell me, how are you both after that unfortunate sailing attempt yesterday?”
Rory bit her lip. “I’m fine, thanks.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. I’m sure you must’ve needed a good lie down today to get over it.”
Aidan smiled but didn’t reply.
“Well,” Mrs. Mitchell glanced between them. “On that note, I’m going to go to bed. Good night.”
“Good night,” Rory called, before going to the computer and double-checking the registrations for tomorrow. “Looks like Ash was right. We are all full up tomorrow.”
He nodded, then held out his hand.
She closed down the computer, dimmed the lights, then joined him as he led her to the lounge area. Around them the hotel was quiet, apart from the usual creaks that all aged buildings had.
“So,” he drew her close to him. “Where were we?”
She slid her arms around his waist. “Somewhere around here,” she murmured.
His lips lifted, then he lowered his head, and she raised hers until her mouth met his.
* * *
Some might call this a simple kiss. But it felt like nothing simple at all, shaded as it was with what felt like all the colours of the rainbow. Her lips were tentative at first, then slowly firmed, and he delighted in showing her how he felt.
For Miss Aurora Fairall was his idea of perfection. Today had been the epitome of a red-letter day. And now with her lips on his, he could only wish this moment could last forever.
He eventually eased away, heard her unsteady breaths, smiled. “I quite like you, Miss Aurora Fairall.”
She lifted a hand and traced his face. “I quite like you too.”
Her fingers grazed his mouth, and he kissed them, then slowly released her. “I think I should let you go upstairs before your sister comes looking for you.”
“Good idea.” She chuckled. “I noticed what you did before with that Ash Linn comment.”
“Well, I don’t exactly want to lie.” His eyebrow arched. “Although I am wondering if I need to do something to ensure that you don’t lie.”
“What do you mean?”
“That thing about a proposal…”
“Oh, stop.” She gently pushed him. “You know I was joking.”
“Are you sure? It might be a little soon, but I’d be prepared to get down on bended knee if it means you don’t have to be telling a fib,” he teased.
“Come on. You’re obviously very tired and need to get some of that sleep Mrs. Mitchell obviously thought you needed.”
He shuddered. “I’m so glad I wasn’t here today to hear everyone’s condescension.”
“It was the best way to spend today. Thank you.”
“Thank you . I couldn’t have done it without the best travel guide in Ireland.”
“Well, I’m happy to have obliged.”
“Speaking of obliging others…” His eyes held hers. “Do you think you might oblige a man with a good night kiss?”
Her eyes darkened. “I think I could be persuaded.” She tilted her face to his.
He leaned down then her phone started buzzing with a tune he vaguely recognised. “What’s that song?”
“It’s Runaway by The Corrs. That’s Aisling’s ringtone, which means she’ll probably be down here any second.” She sighed. “I’d better go.”
“Okay.” He had no wish to upset the sister. “We can save this for another time.”
She smiled. “I’m counting on it.”
So was he.
“Good night.”
“Sweet dreams.”
She blushed, and he could only hope that he might feature in some of those dreams.
He watched her depart and go up the stairs, figuring Aisling probably didn’t need to see them together, not if she didn’t want to get upset.
And while he didn’t want to let Aisling’s actions dictate his, he figured it showed a measure of respect for Rory’s family to not go out of his way to press buttons.
Which might prove difficult when he still needed to sort out how he was going to handle this situation with the Quinn family’s castle.
He glanced at his own phone, and saw some missed messages from his grandmother. Was it too late to call her and get some advice? He calculated the time difference. No, it should be morning there, the next day.
He returned to his room and placed the call. Then realised it would be better as a video call, so he switched to that.
“Hey Gran.” He waved.
“Aidan! Oh, it must be very late there.”
“Not even eleven,” he assured. “How are you?”
“Me? I’m well, much the same, anyway. But how are you? How is the castle? Have those people said anything yet?”
He exhaled. So much had been said. But where to begin… “I think it’s all tracking well.” Please Lord, give us a solution. “The Fairall family are pretty sure it’s theirs though.”
“The Fairalls? Don’t you mean the Griffins?”
“It’s the same. The last of the Griffins married a man named Fairall, and that’s who I’ve been dealing with.”
Dealing with one Fairall in particular, in a very particular way.
“Aidan? Why are you looking like that?”
Oops. He needed to get his lawyer face on.
“What has your lawyer said?”
“We’re still waiting to hear. But Gran, I think we need to avoid the courts if we can.”
“Well, of course we should avoid the courts. We don’t want to spend money on something we’re owed anyway.”
“But Gran, if it comes out that we’re not right, then I think you need to be prepared for that.”
“Not right? How can you say that?”
He prayed for calm. “I’m just saying it’s best to not get our hopes up. The Griffins are well respected members of the community, so anything said against them won’t be received well.”
“Well of course you should be wise. But you’re a clever man. You know how to tread carefully.”
Should he tell his grandmother about Rory? No, it was too soon.
“I’ll keep you informed when I hear something.”
She nodded. “Now, I do hope that you have been able to enjoy seeing some sites.”
“I spent today doing just that.” He told her some of the places he’d been, the things that he’d seen.
“Oh, I am glad to hear that. And you did that on your own?”
“Actually, I went with a friend.”
She smiled. “I’m going to guess from that expression that your friend was female?”
Clearly he had to work on his lawyer face. “Yes.”
“And what is her name?”
“Uh, Rory.”
“Ahroary?” She frowned.
“Close enough.”
“Hmm, well, I hope you’re not planning to have a holiday romance. Although maybe you should. You certainly have worked hard enough over these past years, and you’re due to take some time for yourself. Is she Australian?”
“She’s Irish, actually.” Oh, he was skating too close to uncomfortable truths.
“Well, I hope I can meet her one day.”
“I do too.” Although he couldn’t imagine how that meeting would go.
He yawned. “Sorry Gran. It’s not you, but it’s been a big day.”
“Then you should get some sleep. Thank you for calling. I’ll be praying.” She smiled. “For you and this girl Ahroary.”
“Aurora,” he corrected.
“Such a pretty name,” his grandmother crooned.
“She’s really pretty.”
“Have you got a picture?”
He did, from this morning when Bernie had taken their photo. “I do.” He sent the picture, then waited as she fumbled with the phone trying to see it.
“Oh, there it is. Oh my, she is pretty. Such lovely hair.”
Yes it was. And just as soft as he’d imagined.
“And the cottage—is that thatch?”
“Yes. It’s actually one of the places the Quinn family used to live in.”
“Oh my, how wonderful.”
Another yawn escaped him. “Sorry, Gran.”
“No, no, that’s quite alright. You need your rest. Good night, Aidan. And thank you for calling.”
“Thank you for answering.” He blew her a kiss then ended the call.
Then flicked back to the photo, one of the first from hundreds he’d taken today.
Where the woman of his dreams stood in front of the house once said to belong to his family.
A sigh rippled from his soul. This photo that represented his dilemma.
Lord, what do I do?