Page 19 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘That’s true.’
‘Don’t get obsessed with it though,’ Sylvia warned. ‘Just have fun with it. There were some really quirky characters in the Fleury family, so that should give you a few laughs. But give yourself plenty of time, and have some free time too.’
‘I will,’ Rose promised.
But despite her promise not to take it all too seriously, Rose opened the album again as soon as she’d hung up.
Who were you, Iseult?Rose gazed at the photo with the lovely young girl wearing the necklace.Where did you go?Did you sell the real necklace and have a copy made? If so… why?
9
During the two weeks before the wedding, Rose found little time to do any family research. She was too busy working on the website and the marketing plan, as well as getting as polished and perfect as possible before she was away for the weekend. Not having the funds to go to an exclusive spa hotel, getting top-to-toe treatments, she borrowed her grandmother’s brand new bathroom in the manor, giving herself a facial with homemade ingredients and spending a blissful hour in a bubble bath. Then she splurged on a haircut at a very expensive salon in Killarney called the Mane Event, which resulted in a shorter style that suited her better than the shoulder-length hair she had worn for the past year. She also tried her best to relax, doing yoga and meditation on the terrace as the weather turned warm, enjoying the balmy breezes in the early morning sunshine. She tried not to think too much about the wedding and the party afterwards, knowing she had to appear cool without showing the heartache that was still there – even though two months had passed since the breakup with Gavin. All this helped a lot, but the butterflies in her stomach still whirled around that morning. Noel was picking her up and they would drive there together, then shewould stay at the hotel while Noel had booked a room at a B&B within walking distance. That way he wouldn’t have to worry about drinking and could indulge in ‘a glass or two’ as well, as he put it.
Lily came over early that morning to help Rose get ready and provide a little moral support. They had a fun brunch together before they went upstairs, Lily lounging on the bed while Rose had a shower, her hair in curlers. Lily was glad of the small break from rocking a baby to sleep, with Dom taking over for a few hours.
‘Love the new haircut,’ Lily said when Rose appeared, taking the curlers out. ‘That short bob is so cute on you. Are you pleased with it?’
Rose nodded, looking at herself in the mirror. ‘I am, now that I’m used to it,’ she said, liking the way the hair had been cut that gave it a lovely bounce, framing her face. The pale blonde highlights gave her a fresh, new look and brought out her blue eyes. ‘It cost an arm and a leg, but it was worth it. I was getting tired of the long hair.’
‘Out with the old, in with the new,’ Lily quipped. ‘You needed a boost.’
‘That’s for sure.’ Rose held up her blue silk dress, the thin straps ending in a little bow on each shoulder. ‘I also splurged on a new dress. What do you think?’ she asked when she had put it on.
‘Fabulous,’ Lily said, getting up to help zip up the back. ‘Where is the necklace? I’ll put it on for you.’
‘In the case on the bedside table,’ Rose said, and suddenly shivered. ‘Maybe I should wear something else though.’
‘Why?’ Lily asked, taking the necklace out of the case. ‘It’s fabulous now that you’ve had it cleaned.’ She held it up against the sunlight that streamed in through the window. ‘Just look at how the topazes shine.’
‘Yeah, but,’ Rose started. Then she stopped.
‘But what?’ Lily asked, stepping behind Rose and putting the necklace around her sister’s neck. ‘It’s perfect with the dress.’ She stepped back when she had snapped the clasp shut, her head cocked. ‘Wow. They really bring out your eyes. You must wear it. Why did you think you shouldn’t?’
‘Oh, no reason,’ Rose mumbled. ‘Just a silly idea. I saw it worn by this young woman in an old photo when I was looking through the family albums. It made feel a little weird.’
‘What young woman?’ Lily asked.
‘Her name was Iseult. She was the youngest daughter of Maria Fleury. Cornelius’s sister.’
‘Maria Fleury? The woman who got this as a wedding present?’ Lily asked, looking excited.
‘Yes, that’s her,’ Rose replied. ‘Iseult got the necklace after her.’
‘Did she get it when she was married?’ Lily asked.
‘No, she didn’t,’ Rose said. ‘Nobody knows what happened to her, or if she was married. But she seems to have worn it from time to time.’
‘Strange. Iseult…’ Lily muttered. ‘I think I saw her name somewhere… In an old letter, or maybe…’ She shook her head. ‘Can’t remember.’
‘When was it?’ Rose asked, her heart beating faster. ‘When did you see that name?’
Lily sat down on the bed again. ‘I think it was written in a book in the library. We were sorting everything before the builders came, and went through the books trying to decide which to keep.’ Lily nodded. ‘Yes. That’s where I saw it. The name stuck somehow because I had just read a book about Maud Gonne. She had a daughter called Iseult.’
‘I see. Not that they would have anything to do with each other,’ Rose remarked.
‘No, but that name stood out to me just then. It was written in some old book I found in the library when Dominic and I went through the stuff in the bookcases. I think it was quite wrecked so we threw it out. That’s all I can tell you about it.’
‘A name in a book,’ Rose said, as if to herself, feeling disappointed. ‘You can look at the photos in the album I left on the coffee table. Then you’ll see how pretty she was. And she wore the necklace in one of them.’
