Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
N erves tapped within her veins as Rory sat in the solicitor’s waiting room next to Mam.
She was grateful for Mam’s attendance today.
The past four days had been hard, ever since saying goodbye to Aisling on Sunday and then Aidan early Monday.
She hadn’t realised how much she would miss him.
And even though he’d been faithfully calling each night, and they’d been messaging whenever they could, it felt like part of her heart had packed up and gone with him, four hours north.
How could she miss him so much? How could he have made such an impact in such a short space of time? But if this really was the Fairall legacy at work, she knew there was nothing for it but to trust God that He would somehow work it out.
That God would work out how she could have a relationship with a man halfway across the world. That God would work out how their family would cope if this meeting today did not bring the news they hoped for. That God would ultimately work all things out for her good. Her family’s good. And Aidan’s.
God’s peace seemed to shroud her, protecting her from the fears that had consumed her just a few days ago. She kept throwing her fears at the foot of the cross, kept praising God that He was faithful, and peace seemed to wrap around her more firmly.
And even though so many questions remained, not just about the Griffin land and what this might mean for a relationship with Aidan, she still felt a stubbornness that God could work things out for good.
Like He had on Sunday, when Aidan had revealed what his family’s legacy hinged on. Which she’d shared with Patrick via email on Monday morning, and which he’d requested their attendance today.
She sighed. It was a shame they could not all be together to hear the news. She knew Aisling, Colin and Fiona would all like to be here, but university studies and work commitments prevented them.
And she would have liked to be with Aidan as well, to know for certain one way or the other.
He’d been so generous giving them the details about the land grant the Quinns were basing their case on.
Either way, she suspected she’d need a hug from him.
But he had commitments in Dublin, and she didn’t want to be so needy as to prevent him from seeing his friend.
He’d promised to call tonight when he got in.
Even if that felt too far away right now.
Lord, bless him today. And bless us. And whatever the outcome, help us all to trust You, in everything.
Finally, Shelene ended her call and nodded to them. “You can go on through.”
“Thanks.”
Patrick stood, shook their hands, then invited them to sit. He pressed his fingertips together and eyed Rory and Mam from the other side of the desk.
“Firstly, Aurora, I want to thank you for bringing this to my attention. This certainly has been an interesting case.” Patrick passed over a sheet of paper.
“As you can see, the title deeds where the Griffin family bought the land is marked 1717. But the grant that’s in question, well, that’s interesting. Quite interesting indeed.”
If she was as impatient as her sister she’d no doubt be demanding “Quit with the interesting and just tell us!” But because she was trying to be more mature, she simply said, “How so?”
He drew out another paper, handed copies to Mam and herself. “You are both familiar with the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the mid 1600s, which saw the confiscation and redistribution of lands which were given to sympathisers.”
“Yes.” It was an ugly part of Ireland’s history that still drew resentment today.
“Well, here we see that the land in question was given by the Crown to the English Clotworthys, who then in turn gave a grant to the Quinn family in 1716.”
Her heart sank. “It’s true then?” Aidan had been right. She glanced at her mother, who had paled. Clasped her hand. Lord, please help us cope …
“Listen, for it’s not finished yet. The grant was a peculiar kind, with several conditions.
In those days there was a kind of feudal tenure in which the new landholders were obliged to serve those whose largesse they enjoyed.
In this particular grant, from what I’ve been able to gather, it appears that the grant to Thomas John Quinn held a caveat that he was to serve the Clotworthy family but when requested to do so, he failed to show.
So the Clotworthys stripped the Quinns of the grant and sold to the highest bidder, which happened to be Anthony David Griffin.
” Patrick glanced at Mam. “Your ancestor.”
Rory exhaled, squeezed her mother’s hand. “So it is legally Griffin land.”
“Yes. But it’s understandable that members of the Quinn family may have disputed this. The reason for Thomas Quinn’s no-show may be lost to history, but from what I’ve read here, it seems the Clotworthys were well within their rights to renege, as the Quinns hadn’t held up their side of the deal.”
How wonderful for them! But how devastating for Aidan. Her heart was torn.
“Thank you, Patrick,” she said. “That is a great relief.”
“I’m glad to have been of help. I must say, that was certainly a pretty little puzzle you presented me.”
Rory glanced at her mother. “How are you feeling now?”
“Oh, much relieved, I don’t mind admitting.”
“Me too,” she confessed.
“Shall we call the others?”
“Please, stay here and you can call them with the good news,” Patrick said, shaking their hands. “Thank you again, Maeve. Rory.”
He exited, after reiterating they could stay in his office and make their call. So Rory did, starting a video call with her siblings.
“I just left a meeting for this,” Colin said.
“You’ve got news?” Fiona said, blunt as ever.
“Quick, spill,” Aisling whispered, the picture close to her face. “I’m in a lecture and the lecturer hates it when we’re on our phones in class.”
“We’re safe!”
“Hurrah!” Aisling shouted, before her picture distorted and she mumbled “Oops” and a “I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t mean—” and her call ended.
“I think that means she got busted,” Colin said. “But that’s grand news.”
“Excellent,” Fiona said, before she too exited the call.
“I think that means she’s excited,” Rory said, which earned a chuckle from her brother.
“I’m sure she is. But you know she’s got an image to uphold.”
“Colin,” Mam reproved.
“Come on, Mam, you know that’s true. Anyway, Kara will be so excited. We’ve been praying for this result.”
“How is she?”
He grinned. “She’s really well. In fact, I was hoping she could join us at Christmas.”
“Of course she can,” Mam said immediately. “You know we always love to see her.”
“Well, I hope that’s true. I have a certain question I want to ask her that might mean you see her a lot more.”
Rory gasped. “You’re going to propose?”
“It’ll be over a year by then. And you know how this Fairall legacy works, Mam.”
Mam nodded as a shiver rolled over Rory. She had a strong idea on how this Fairall legacy worked now, too.
But it was one thing to think she’d met her perfect match. It was quite another to have him think the same. Especially as she wondered how he’d receive this news which while an answer to prayer for them, would be the opposite for him. Oh Lord, please be with Aidan.
* * *
“So, as you can see, it appears that it is in fact Griffin land, thanks to the clause in the grant that was not enacted by Thomas Quinn.” Siobhan O’Connor eyed him with compassion. “I know this is not what you wanted to hear.”
Aidan stared at the document, unable to believe that the quest that had brought him halfway around the world was now ended.
“So, just to be clear, you’re telling me that Thomas Quinn did not meet his obligations to the Clotworthy family which is why the land was taken back and sold to the Griffins. ”
“That about sums it up, yes.”
He heaved out a disgruntled breath. “What on earth would keep a man from doing something so important?”
“Illness, death in the family, misadventure. It could have resulted from all manner of things.”
“I still can’t believe it.”
“Well, in my time of researching estate law I have come across a number of interesting things in history. Not all those who were granted land were appreciative. Some viewed it as a bit of a slap in the face, considering they felt it was stolen from them in the first place. I recall one instance where the MacCarthys, who were owners of a castle, sent a messenger with a cradle to their wardens, the O’Connells, as a sign they should foster a MacCarthy child.
The O’Connell’s response was to send back the cradle with the head of the messenger inside. ”
Aidan’s jaw dropped. “That’s awful.”
“That’s an extreme example of how some did not consider the patronage of others to be a boon.”
He remembered Rory saying something similar once.
How she didn’t like the feeling of being patronised or looked down upon.
He could understand afresh how obligation could rankle.
He felt the same with his firm. Initially, he’d been grateful to have been given the opportunity to find employment, before soon realising that it was a golden noose of obligation around his neck.
Perhaps that was how Thomas Quinn had felt too.
“Is there any way we could find out why Thomas didn’t go? Would there be diaries or letters?”
Siobhan sighed. “I would not want to give you false hope. We’re talking centuries ago, and it would be extremely unlikely, I’m afraid.”
“So you think it’s best to give up, once and for all.”
She eyed him. “I could tell you that I could keep searching, but I don’t think it would be ethical, as in my opinion, you will not be able to find out what was wrong.”
Huh. An ethical law firm. Fancy that. His lips curved.
“I’m glad you seem to be taking this news well.”
“Oh, it’s not that. I just appreciate you being upfront with me about the likelihood of success. Or not.”
“We are not in the business of bleeding our clients when it is apparent they cannot win.”