Page 70 of An Enchanted Spring

She blinked at him, then looked at Aidan, as if for confirmation, before giving him a small smile. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”

Nick whooped and laughed. “You really are from America!”

“Um…” She was clearly at a loss, and Aidan took pity on her.

“Emma, Nick is married to Bri. He knows an American accent when he hears one.”

“Bri? Colin’s cousin?”

“One and the same.”

“Colin’s cousin is married to your brother.”

“Technically, she’s Colin’s great-great-many-more-greats grandmother. But aye. She is married to my brother.”

“This is so unbelievable,” she murmured.

“O’Malley,” Nick said, extending his hand. The two men shook firmly. “I suppose I have you to thank for getting him back here?”

“What’s he saying?” Emma whispered to Aidan when Nick lapsed into Gaelic with Cian. “I can’t understand the accent.”

“They’re exchanging pleasantries, and Nick is thanking Cian for his service to the clan,” Aidan replied. “Don’t worry. We’ll speak English, mostly. Brianagh will no doubt be ecstatic to hear her mother tongue.”

A shriek pierced the air, and a stunningly beautiful brunette flew down the steps, skirts flying, toward Reilly. He easily caught her and swung her around, a huge smile lighting up his face.

“Reilly O’Malley, you didn’t even send word!” she exclaimed, laughing over the tears. She buried her head in his neck and hugged him tightly, her next words muffled, and Reilly patted her on the back. When she caught sight of Aidan, her face lit up again, and she launched at him, her arms wide. He caught her easily, careful of the large bump in her belly.

Aidan gave her a hug, then held her at arm’s length. “There’s something different about you,” he mused.

She gasped and replied in Gaelic, “You learned English!”

“I didn’t have a choice. I’ll tell you about it over a hot meal. Keela still an amazing cook?”

“The best,” Bri replied happily. She noticed Emma and smiled warmly, continuing in Gaelic. “Who is your companion?”

“Lady Brianagh, meet Lady Emma. She also speaks yourlanguage.” He said the last with emphasis, and Brianagh’s eyes showed her understanding.

“Pleasure, Lady Emma. I believe I’ve made enough of a spectacle of myself this morning, so perhaps we should retire to my solar for some breakfast.”

Nioclas wrapped an arm around Bri’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Aye. We’ve much to discuss, and your solar is much more comfortable than mine.”

“Come on, then. Lady Emma, Aidan, Reilly? Cian,” she added, “we shall send for your sister and nephew. Care you to join us?”

“My thanks, my lady, but I prefer to wait for them in the great hall,” Cian replied.

She nodded regally, then walked up the castle steps. Grasping Emma’s elbow to steady her—or himself, he wasn’t sure which—Aidan was only too happy to follow.

Chapter 13

When Emma’s vision adjusted to the dim light inside the great hall, she immediately noticed the sheer size of the room. The ceiling stretched up at least two floors, with a large window above the front door. Anchoring one end, an enormous hearth stood empty, save for a small glow of orange in the soot. Guards were stationed all around the room, standing at attention or, in some cases, sleeping on the floor. Brianagh spoke quietly with one of the guards closest to the door, and he headed toward the back of the room, through an open doorway.

“Breakfast,” Brianagh said by way of explanation, before heading toward the far corner of the great hall.

“Where are the rushes?” Emma murmured to Aidan, who shrugged.

“Bri hates having hay strewn about. I think you’ll find some modern touches to this castle that you won’t find anywhere else in Ireland. Brianagh is very adamant that the castle remains clean, for hygiene.”

They followed the laird and lady through the great hall, to a staircase tucked in the back. It wound up in a curved fashion, with brackets in the stone that held torches, currentlyunlit. Twice, Emma nearly slipped on the smooth stone, but Aidan caught her each time.

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