Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SELENE
The green, compact economy car that pulled up in front of Mystwood Castle reminded me of my own red Dacia. Functional and not flashy. It stopped a few feet from where we stood, and the door swung open before the engine had fully cut out.
The young man who stepped onto the gravel was tall, dark blond, and moved with easy confidence. He gazed upward at the castle before greeting us, his expression shifting to pure pleasure for just a moment. Likely what I had done when I arrived weeks ago.
If he was in Killarney to spy on things at the tower house, I would think he’d study us first. Unless, of course, he was trained to do otherwise.
He dropped his gaze to us a few seconds later and crossed the gravel. He had a notebook tucked under one arm and was already smiling.
“Brilliant,” he muttered as he glanced at the roofline once again. Then he seemed to collect himself and looked between Maeve and me, completely ignoring Bren and Cormac. “Which of you is Selene?”
I raised a tentative hand.
His smile widened as he closed the distance between us. “Rian Doherty.”
He extended his hand and shook mine with a firm grip. “I’ve read everything I could find about this castle. There’s not a lot, but my uncle did give me a copy of the initial assessment report.”
I appreciated his enthusiasm and opened my hand toward my friend. “This is Maeve. She keeps the operation running, so don’t underestimate her.”
Maeve offered him a cheerful nod. “I’m nothing to worry about unless you’re a slacker.”
Rian laughed, quick and easy. “Noted. And I’m not,” he added as an afterthought.
Bren remained still as he studied the young man. Cormac wore a friendly smile. Rian turned toward the two of them, his hand already extended again, but the sound of a second engine caught everyone’s attention.
A white luxury sedan slowed to an unhurried stop behind Rian’s green car. The contrast between the two vehicles couldn’t be ignored. Neither could the woman who stepped out of the white car.
Eireann Kilmartin did not glance up at the castle but immediately sought Bren instead. She widened her glossy lips into a charmed smile and headed straight for him. “Bren. It’s so good to see you again.”
I remembered her from the committee interview, and she’d been friendlier than some. She had stepped back from the vote that day, deferring to Bren with a lightness that felt more like strategy than courtesy. Though I’d thought her pleasant enough at the time.
Bren stiffened slightly as Eireann crossed directly to him.
Her long flaxen hair danced in the breeze as she moved, her well-cut coat stopping just above the hem of her red, knee-length skirt, which swished against her legs.
Beside me, Maeve shifted until her elbow touched mine. “She’ll ruin her shoes,” she whispered.
I dropped my gaze to Eireann’s heels. From the looks of her car and clothing, I expected she could easily replace them if she did.
She greeted Bren in Irish first, low and easy, and then switched to English. Her focus was entirely on him, as if they were alone. She reached for his hand with both of hers and then rose onto her toes to press a light kiss to his cheek.
He stiffened but accepted the greeting with a brief nod and a few quiet words I didn’t catch.
She laughed as if he’d teased her. “We need to stop letting so much time pass before we see each other.”
A frown settled inside me as I calculated how many weeks had passed since my interview with the council. Certainly not long enough to behave as she was.
Eireann moved on to Cormac, greeting him warmly but without the kiss. Cormac returned the greeting easily. Then Eireann turned to Maeve and me, and her smile shifted into something more open.
“Selene.” She extended her hand. Her grip was light and confident. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“And you,” I said. “This is Maeve, my creative assistant.”
“Maeve.” Eireann’s attention was warm and unhurried. “I’ve heard good things.”
“All of them true,” Maeve said pleasantly.
Eireann smiled and then looked back at me. “Are you enjoying the project?”
I kept my smile pleasant. “Very much so.”
“Good. I knew Bren would choose the right person for the job.” She flicked a glance at him as she said it, her gaze easy and familiar, and I reminded myself that the woman had helped me secure my position. Or at least hadn’t voted against me.
Eireann turned toward the young man who’d been waiting quietly to the side of us. “Everyone, this is Rian Doherty, newly graduated with a degree in architectural studies. I believe he’ll be a real asset to the project.”
Rian looked simultaneously pleased and slightly embarrassed as he glanced at me. “I’ll work hard. I promise.”
“I’m sure you will.” I meant it. I’d already formed enough of an impression to believe him. “You mentioned reading an assessment report?”
His face lit. “The one Bren submitted to the committee after the initial survey. The section about the damp in the north wall was fascinating.”
He pushed his hair back again, warming to the subject. “Damp problems are actually one of my favorite things to study. There are some fascinating restoration projects in Scotland that deal with similar stone. I’d love to compare them with what’s happening here.”
“Of course,” I said. “You’ll be working right alongside us.”
Rian grinned. “That’s right. I will be. Did I mention I’m so grateful for the opportunity?”
I lifted a hand. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Maeve nodded in agreement. “It seems you’ll fit right in.”
I made a small internal note about the report.
Bren had never mentioned it to me. A structural survey, a detailed submission to the council, and I’d heard about it for the first time just now.
Perhaps Bren considered it mundane, but I wished he’d told me.
Maybe even given me the opportunity to review it first.
I slid my gaze to Bren and found him watching us. Likely evaluating. His expression wasn’t hostile, but it wasn’t welcoming either.
Eireann stepped between us, her back to me as she faced Bren. I couldn’t be certain she’d done it on purpose, but I wondered.
Rian lightly cleared his throat, snagging my attention. “Is it okay if I go inside? I’m dying to see it. I hear the great hall is on the bottom floor. Is that correct?”
Maeve chuckled. “It’s an oddity. That’s for sure. Come on. I’ll show you inside.”
I glanced once at Eireann and the men and then turned to follow my coworkers. I’d had enough of watching the pretty woman salivate over Bren. If she was a threat to me of any sort, Bren could handle her. I’d focus on the young man invading my space and get a better read on him.
I stepped into the castle seconds after the others to find Rian had stopped just inside. The way he gazed about in wonder warmed my heart and gave me hope he was at Mystwood only to learn his craft better.
Then he crossed directly to the circular stone inlay and stared down. “What’s this amazing piece of art?”
Maeve’s eyes held suspicion when she glanced at me. I barely lifted one shoulder in response and approached Rian, trying to match his enthusiasm. “Isn’t it wonderful? It’s my favorite thing about the castle.”
He crouched and traced his finger around the tiny stones. “The craftsmanship is amazing.”
Rian tilted his head to face me and pushed his blond hair out of the way. “Some of these have been reset recently.”
I nodded. “Only the ones that were loose. Eventually, I’ll work my way through all of them.” The house would likely make sure of it.
He glanced back at the inlay. “Is it a family emblem?”
I was uncertain how to respond, knowing he might know nothing about it or might be fully aware of its meaning.
What Bren had told me about the committee’s family lines and their potential abilities warned me to keep my answer vague.
I had no idea whether Rian carried any such heritage, nor did I intend to ask.
More so, I would not give him a clue that I knew anything either. “Bren didn’t mention a family emblem. I just assumed someone loved creating art. You could ask him if you like.”
Rian nodded, seeming satisfied with my answer, and stood. He released a pleased sigh and glanced around the great hall. “Show me what you’ve been working on. I’m excited to see it all.”
Maeve waved him forward, heading toward the fireplace. I considered his reaction to the heart of the castle as he followed. He’d seemed interested, as would anyone who entered the castle. The Celtic knot formed of stones couldn’t be ignored. It was too unique and interesting.
Other than that, there had been nothing so far that made me question his intentions.
For now, Rian Doherty could stay.