The Lost

“To grab a shower and dress. Cullen will be back. It might prove awkward explaining to Bridget and Cullen why I’m sneaking in, late and mussed.”

“To save face, you intend to leave me alone and bereft? I can see where your priorities lie.”

The look on his face had her heart stuttering. He looked so inviting, with his hair tousled and his eyes heavy-l idded with passion. Like a man who had been thoroughly loved.

In her most haughty tone, she said, “I live to break men’s hearts. Now, like Cinderella, I fear the witching hour. I must flee before I’m discovered, barefoot and in rags.”

“Even in rags, Aidan, I’d want you.”

Her heart lurched. To keep things light, she simply smiled. “Easy for you. You don’t have to face Bridget’s wrath.”

As she started away he drew her back. “You can’t leave me without a kiss.”

She brushed her lips over his and was startled when he dragged her close and ravaged her mouth until her heart began tripping over itself.

“Stay, Aidan. I’ll show you all the wonders of the world.”

“I thought you’d already done that.”

“Oh, but there are so many more.”

She drew back. “You make it entirely too tempting.” She stepped away and this time managed to cross the room.

“All right.” He slid out of bed and trailed her. “The least I can do is scrub your back.”

Still laughing, they showered together.

As they dressed, Aidan spotted the cashmere throw which had been carefully folded over the back of a chair.

She arched a brow. “I’d forgotten this.”

He merely smiled. “Like Cinderella’s glass slipper, it remained after you’d fled. I liked having it here.” His tone deepened. “I missed you the minute you walked out the door. Which is why…” He linked his fingers with hers and held the door. “This time I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”

His words touched her heart and made her so incredibly happy that she couldn’t stop smiling as they strode hand in hand from the cottage and made their way to the lodge.

As dusk settled over the land, the storm had blown itself out, leaving the gardens fresh and glistening with raindrops.

Aidan and Ross stepped apart before entering the library.

Cullen and Bridget were huddled in quiet conversation in front of a roaring fire.

The old man looked up with a smile and held out a tulip glass of champagne to Aidan. “I hope you found something to do while I was gone, my dear.”

She accepted the glass and sipped. “I had a lovely tour of the countryside by horseback.”

“Excellent.” He handed Ross a tumbler of ice water. “Thank you for standing in for me, lad.”

“It was my pleasure. You had to drive through quite a storm.”

“Storm?” For a moment the older man seemed puzzled. Then a wide smile split his lips. “Oh. Yes. The storm. Not quite as fierce in town as it was here, I expect. Did you two have supper?”

Aidan nodded. “And you?”

“Oh, my, yes. We ate at the pub after our meeting. Here, my dear.” He indicated a group of chairs in front of the fire. “Warm yourself.”

Cullen settled himself beside Aidan, while Ross chose to stand in front of the fireplace where he could watch her expressive face.

“The farmers were impressed by the accuracy of your figures. They claimed that without your help, they’d have had to hire a firm from Dublin, which would have charged them a fortune. Thanks to you, Aidan, they’re showing their biggest profit ever.”

“I’m so glad.” Aidan sipped her champagne and shot a quick glance at Ross, who was openly staring, as though he couldn’t get his fill of looking at her.

“The Cooperative would like to pay you for your services.”

Aidan flushed. “Please thank them for me, and explain why I must refuse their generous offer. It was such a treat for me to be able to do something that I enjoy while knowing that I was helping them. To me, that’s reward enough.”

“Indeed.” Her response seemed to please Cullen tremendously. “You’ve a generous heart, my dear. But then, I never doubted it. You come from a long line of generous souls.”

After less than an hour of pleasant conversation, Cullen stifled a yawn. “I’m afraid this day has worn me out. Forgive an old man his weariness.” He got to his feet. “You two stay and enjoy the fire.”

Ross gave a quick shake of his head. “I thought I’d give Aidan a tour of the gardens by moonlight. Will you join us?”

“Not tonight. I’m off to my bed.” Cullen bent to press a kiss to Aidan’s cheek. “I expect the courier should be here by the time we finish our breakfast.”

“So soon?” Aidan’s heart contracted and she looked over to see Ross’ little frown.

“’Twill end the suspense for you. For both of us,” he added as an afterthought. “Good night, my dear.” He straightened and walked to Ross, laying a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “Good night, son.”

“Good night, Cullen.”‘

Aidan was touched by the affection between the two men. It warmed her more than the fire.

Ross opened the French doors leading to the gardens. As she was about to follow, she turned to see Cullen and Bridget, heads bent once more in quiet conversation.

The moment she stepped outside Ross caught her hand and drew her deeper into the shadows.

“This is what I wanted.” He gathered her close to press soft kisses from her temple to her jaw, before claiming her mouth. “Only this.”

When they stepped apart, he started leading her along the path toward his cottage.

She held back. “I thought you were going to show me the gardens by moonlight.”

“And so I shall.” He gave her a wicked grin. “Look quickly. Drink it all in as you pass through. As soon as we reach my place, I have no intention of letting you out of my arms again until morning.”

Their laughter drifted like music on the night air and carried into the library, where the old man and woman shared a conspiratorial smile.

Eight

Aidan crept into the lodge and up the stairs. In the privacy of her room, she undressed and stepped into the shower. When she emerged, wrapped in a huge bath sheet, she sat at the ornate dressing table and dried her hair before dressing for the day.

She’d never felt so alive. So filled with joy. So thoroughly loved.

And all because of Ross Delaney. She felt as though she’d been waiting for this man all of her life. He was fun and fu

Her soul mate.

He’d been so much more than she’d expected. Warm and sentimental. And sexy as hell.

Love at first sight. It was a concept she’d long disdained. But there was no denying, it had happened to her. She felt as giddy as a girl on her first date. Light-as-air happy, and wildly, madly, deeply in love.

Foolish, of course. For Ross, she would be nothing more than a harmless fling.

The woman hasn’t been born to suit Ross Delaney. ’Tis said he’ll never marry.

Aidan consoled herself that it didn’t matter. What she was feeling for Ross was enough for both of them. And he would never know, for she would never admit her foolish feelings. The love she felt for him would be her secret.

At a knock on the parlor door, she hurried over to find Bridget carrying a silver tea service.

“Good morning, miss. I thought, since I heard you up and about so early, you might want a cup of tea before you go down to breakfast.”

“Thank you, Bridget. That’s so thoughtful.” She watched as the housekeeper set the tray on a side table. “Do you have time to join me?”

The old woman smiled at the unexpected gesture. Not that she was surprised. In the short time the lass had been here, she’d proven herself to be kind and thoughtful with everyone, from Himself to the staff to the strangers in the Farmers’ Cooperative.