Page 58 of The Book of Irish Secrets
‘But you had no reason to believe I’m heir to the manor?’
‘Not really, but…’ Pierce went on, pausing, seeming upset and hesitant to go on. ‘Remember I said I was going to do a little research of my own? I found the original birth records in town when Jo was doing research in the library recently. It didn’t say who was born first, but I kind of guessed it. Then, when I talked to Hugh, I wanted to hit him with something that would really hurt, so I said I knew all this.’
‘Oh,’ Claire said, slightly shocked.
‘I didn’t see Hugh again after that.’ Pierce drew breath, looking at Claire with regret. ‘I was thinking about all this tonight and I thought I should tell you how much I riled him up. I’m really sorry, Claire. I hope it won’t cause any trouble. Perhaps he won’t dig anything up.’
‘It would be very like Hugh to keep digging,’ Claire said after a moment’s reflection. She sighed deeply. ‘Oh, I’m so tired of all this. Pierce, don’t worry. It would have come out sooner or later anyway, everything always does, somehow. So can we forget about it for now? And maybe talk about you and me? How we feel about each other and what we’re going to do about it and not even think about that system reset stuff? Can we do that, do you think?’
He took her hand. ‘You’re not upset with me?’
‘I’d be a hypocrite to be upset with you, Pierce. My lies have put everything at risk here. I was only trying to do the right thing, and so were you.’
Pierce nodded. ‘You’re right. I have to confess that the main reason I wanted to meet you tonight was that I’ve missed you so much. The thing about your ex was just an excuse. Claire, I’ve been so stupid and cowardly and not very understanding of your situation. And I should tell you that I had a serious talk with Jo before she left and told her that I have the right to have a life and that everything is not about her. One day she will go out into the world to have her own life, and then I’ll be all alone. I asked her if she had thought about that.’
‘Oh,’ Claire said, taken aback. ‘What did she say?’
‘She sulked for a while but then she thought for a bit and said it was fair enough and that she liked you. She also said it was okay for us keep dating.’
‘That’s good to hear,’ Claire said, beginning to feel much brighter. ‘I like her too.’
‘I’m very pleased to hear that.’
Claire touched his face. ‘And I like you, too, so much. I’ve missed you terribly.’
‘Why?’ he asked softly.
‘Because I fancy you like mad,’ she whispered.
‘Yeah, well, that’s how I feel too. About you, I mean.’ He swallowed. ‘You might guess that I’m not very good at this. But that’s what I meant to say before you said it.’ He leaned forward and took her hands, squeezing them tightly. ‘I think you’re a very beautiful woman. Your wild curly hair, your lovely eyes, your freckly face and your smile have turned my head ever since the first time I saw you. I couldn’t imagine you’d fall for someone like me.’
‘Someone like you?!’ Claire protested. ‘You have the loveliest eyes and a beautiful smile. Your kindness shines through everything you say and do. And you’re incredibly charming.’ She drew breath and stared back at him while he looked back at her in confusion.
‘Goodness,’ he finally said. ‘Wow. That was quite a lot to take in. But thank you. You have done a lot for my confidence in just a few seconds.’ He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘You’re amazing,’ he whispered.
‘So are you.’ She took his face in her hands and looked into those deep blue eyes. ‘I’m so glad I came to Kerry.’
‘Me too.’ Then their lips met in a sweet kiss that went on for a long time.
Claire felt herself melt into his arms, pressed her face into the rough wool of his sweater and breathed in the smell of soap and sea air. ‘I want to stay here with you for a while and not worry about anything. I was getting too obsessed with the Fleury family feud and whatever caused it. But now that I know everything I want to let it go. No matter what happens with Hugh or my brother, I feel at peace.’
‘I think we all have peace at last,’ Pierce said and kissed the top of her head. ‘All thanks to you.’
‘More thanks to Auntie Rachel and her book,’ Claire said.
‘But you made it happen,’ Pierce said. ‘Because you’re a Fleury woman and they never give up.’
Claire looked up at him and smiled. ‘I’ll never give up on you either.’
‘We were meant to be together,’ Pierce said. ‘If that’s not too far-fetched.’
‘Not far-fetched at all. Auntie Rachel’s book brought me to you,’ Claire said. ‘I will always remember that.’
‘And I will always be grateful to her,’ Pierce said.
‘Oh, me too. For the rest of my life.’
‘Our life,’ Pierce said. ‘Because I feel this – us – is for good.’
