Page 31 of An Irish Kiss
Kenmare was a beautiful town, filled with flags and bunting as it did to celebrate most major festivals or events.Bunting in the colours of the local football teams, black and orange at Samhain, the Irish origin of modern-day Halloween, green and red at Christmas.She’d even seen bunting made of donated bras for breast cancer awareness.All of which added cheer to the bleak, cool days of autumn and winter.
She parked outside a row of multicoloured buildings, lime-washed in yellow, pink and blue, and entered the white building housing the solicitors.White, because she was on the side of justice and truth, and after this meeting, everyone would know she and her family were completely innocent of whatever it was that Aidan Quinn and his blessed grandmother so erroneously believed.Everyone would know the Quinns were mistaken, and her family’s name and reputation could be upheld as it always had, and always would be.
She entered, and smiled graciously at Shelene, the friendly receptionist.“I have an appointment with Patrick.”
“Of course.He’s with a client, but I’ll let him know you’re here.”
“Thank you.”
She settled on the faux leather lounge in the waiting area, and glanced at the magazines, which included copies ofIrish Countrysports and Country Life,Stellar, andBusiness Plus.
“How is Fiona these days?”Shelene asked.
That’s right.Shelene and Fiona had been in school together.“She’s still in Dublin.”And presumably still annoyed with Colin for taking the reins of what she had thought would be her role.Not that it was Colin’s fault.That had been strictly their father’s decision, and he was old-fashioned like that.But that was likely the reason she rarely came home these days.Apparently she was intent on making her own mark, instead of “riding the coattails of their father’s success like nepo-baby Colin” as she’d expressed in a particularly harsh comment last Christmas.Happy families that hadnotbeen, despite her mother’s hopes and prayers.
The door to Patrick’s office opened, and Rory straightened, affixing a small smile she hoped would pass for pleasant.She needed Patrick to be on her side, to do all he could to ensure that the right result was achieved.
He shook hands with the elderly gentleman, then glanced at Rory.“Ah, Miss Fairall.This is a surprise.Come on in.”
Shelene passed him a file, and sent Rory a wink, which gave fresh courage as she entered the office.
Patrick was neat to the point of fastidious, and she felt her nerves bite as she perched on the chair opposite his desk.
He sat, leaned his elbows on the desk and eyed her.“So, what brings you here today?”
She drew in a deep breath.Lord, help me say this clearly.“I have been asked by my family to get some clarity about the legal boundaries of the Castle Griffin Hotel resort, and whether there is any chance that the old castle ruins could have belonged to a family named Quinn.”
He frowned.“I don’t understand.”
“There is a lawyer who has come to stay and is spreading rumours that his family were the rightful owners of the old castle on the resort’s grounds.We have always been under the impression that it was Griffin land, and Mam is convinced of this.Yet Mary Connolly, who is a local historian, seems to think that there is some evidence to the contrary.So I’m here to find out the truth and show people the legalities of when the Griffin family acquired the land and to prove to these people that they’re mistaken.”
“Well, those are some rather bold claims.Who did you say this lawyer is?”
“Aidan Quinn.He’s from Australia.”
“I see.”The vertical lines between his brows deepened.“And has he got any proof of this?”
“I don’t know.I only learned about this last night, and was shocked that Mary, who just happens to be my boss, was busy filling his ears with all kinds of supposed proof.But it can’t be true.Can it?”
He studied her a moment, then stood, moving to the filing cabinets and searching through the top drawer.
She practiced deep breathing, willing her pulse to calm.Aidan and Mary had to be wrong.There was no way the Quinns had any legal right to the Griffin property.
“Hmm.”
Her breath hitched.Was that a good “hmm” or a bad one?
He returned to sit in the chair next to hers, opening the file on the desk so she could see.“This document shows the property boundary, and shows the two castles on it.”
He pointed to the ruins of the old castle, a square walled block hard pressed against the sea.Then the second, the newer Castle Griffin that was the hotel.
He traced the boundary line.“As you can see, both fall inside the estate boundary lines.”
Tangled heartstrings released.“And that land has always been Griffin land, yes?”
He gently pulled out another paper, touching it gingerly.“This one shows the title deed.It clearly states that in 1717 a deed of sale was registered in Wakefield to a James Griffin.”
“And who did they buy it from?”
