Page 55 of Once upon a Summer Night

Colin shrugged. “I’ve no idea. I wasn’t there when they had their initial get-together, and Mike didn’t mention if it was brought up.”

“You’ve got to tell her what her aunt’s demanded,” James said firmly. “Especially if this guy doesn’t work out. You’re backed into a corner if Ellie doesn’t want a title and her aunt won’t retract if she doesn’t get one.”

“Absolutely not,” Colin said with conviction. “That’s part of this deal. Emsworth knows her niece won’t go for a titled man. She’s not trying to make it easy on us. It’s part of her twisted game.”

“Did you learn anything more about Ellie’s preferences while you were in the States?” Emma asked hopefully.

“She likes seafood.”

“And Mom’s pancakes,” James supplied helpfully.

“She’s certainly not going to volunteer any information,” Aidan mused. At the questioning looks from the others, he explained, “Think about it logically. She doesn’t seem to be the most willing lass you’ve ever matched. She’s doing it out of obligation to her aunt, who has nothing to gain professionally if you successfully match her. If she’s as wily as Emsworth, I’d bet the coast—”

“The farm,” Emma corrected gently.

“Right. If she’s as wily as the old bat, I’d bet the farm she’s going to put you through your paces.”

“Most women want the same core essentials: a man wholistens, is generous, and who’s kind to children and the elderly. Good looking with enough money in the bank to live comfortably. Plug those qualities into the system and set up an additional match,” Colin said darkly.

Emma gaped at him. “But, Colin…that’s not how we operate!”

“Want to know what I think?” Reilly asked to the room at large.

“No,” Colin said with feeling at the same time Aidan shook his head and exclaimed, “Nay!”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Of course we do, Ry.”

“Each Protector has a soul mate,” Reilly said quietly, rolling his beer bottle slowly between his hands. He glanced at Emma. “Just one soul mate, to be exact. One soul mate, through all time. The Protector, once he claims her, is bound to her for all time. If she loves him and claims him in return, their bond will be unbreakable.”

“That is utterly romantic,” Emma breathed.

“It’s utterly inconvenient,” Colin muttered, wishing desperately that Reilly would just let it go. Since the moment they’d arrived last night, Reilly seemed to have sensed something. He wouldn’t stop talking about how Colin couldn’t give her up, how Celtic Connections would be fine without a UK base, how his happiness needed to be a priority.

Reilly ignored him. “The two souls don’t rest in peace until they’ve both claimed the other. But if he claims her and she doesn’t love him in return, the Protector is destined to never find love again.”

“What happens to his mate?”

Reilly shrugged. “I’ve seen it only once, and she seemed if not happy, then content. Her Protector, however, lived in perpetual hell until his own death, which he welcomed gratefully. Though I suspect he hasn’t any peace in the afterlife.”

Aidan swore softly, noting the pinched expression on Colin’s face. “I’m so sorry, mate.”

“Sorry for what?” Emma asked, completely confused. Then she gasped as the pieces clicked. “Ellie’s your soul mate?”

Colin gave a single, vehement shake of his head. “Nope.”

Reilly regarded him with cool eyes. “You’re ten times the fool.”

“Oh, give it up, O’Malley!” Colin finally exploded. “You of all people understand why I won’t claim a soul mate! Nor would I want to, considering my duties outside of Celtic Connections—”

“How do you claim a soul mate?” Emma interrupted.

“You must say the words. You’re not bound until the words are spoken aloud as a declaration to the Fates.”

“Let me get this straight.” James stroked his chin. “When a Protector finds his soul mate, he can choose to bind himself to her—”

“Or him,” Emma added.

“Or him,” James agreed, “and then he’s tied to that person for all time. If that person reciprocates, and claims the Protector back, then their bond is unbreakable and they what? Live happily ever after?”

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