Page 73 of An Irish Kiss
He held out his arms.“Come on Ash, bring it in.”
Her nose wrinkled.
“Too soon?”
She chuckled.“Way too soon.You should save that for Rory and Mam.”
“Good idea.”He turned to Rory, and she took up his invitation, and he closed his eyes again.
They might not have all the answers, but it seemed there was longed-for acceptance at last.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Nerves tapped within her veins as Rory sat in the solicitor’s waiting room next to Mam.She was grateful for Mam’s attendance today.The past four days had been hard, ever since saying goodbye to Aisling on Sunday and then Aidan early Monday.She hadn’t realised how much she would miss him.And even though he’d been faithfully calling each night, and they’d been messaging whenever they could, it felt like part of her heart had packed up and gone with him, four hours north.
How could she miss him so much?How could he have made such an impact in such a short space of time?But if this really was the Fairall legacy at work, she knew there was nothing for it but to trust God that He would somehow work it out.
That God would work out how she could have a relationship with a man halfway across the world.That God would work out how their family would cope if this meeting today did not bring the news they hoped for.That God would ultimately work all things out for her good.Her family’s good.And Aidan’s.
God’s peace seemed to shroud her, protecting her from the fears that had consumed her just a few days ago.She kept throwing her fears at the foot of the cross, kept praising God that He was faithful, and peace seemed to wrap around her more firmly.
And even though so many questions remained, not just about the Griffin land and what this might mean for a relationship with Aidan, she still felt a stubbornness that God could work things out for good.
Like He had on Sunday, when Aidan had revealed what his family’s legacy hinged on.Which she’d shared with Patrick via email on Monday morning, and which he’d requested their attendance today.
She sighed.It was a shame they could not all be together to hear the news.She knew Aisling, Colin and Fiona would all like to be here, but university studies and work commitments prevented them.
And she would have liked to be with Aidan as well, to know for certain one way or the other.He’d been so generous giving them the details about the land grant the Quinns were basing their case on.Either way, she suspected she’d need a hug from him.But he had commitments in Dublin, and she didn’t want to be so needy as to prevent him from seeing his friend.He’d promised to call tonight when he got in.Even if that felt too far away right now.Lord, bless him today.And bless us.And whatever the outcome, help us all to trust You, in everything.
Finally, Shelene ended her call and nodded to them.“You can go on through.”
“Thanks.”
Patrick stood, shook their hands, then invited them to sit.He pressed his fingertips together and eyed Rory and Mam from the other side of the desk.
“Firstly, Aurora, I want to thank you for bringing this to my attention.This certainly has been an interesting case.”Patrick passed over a sheet of paper.“As you can see, the title deeds where the Griffin family bought the land is marked 1717.But the grant that’s in question, well, that’s interesting.Quite interesting indeed.”
If she was as impatient as her sister she’d no doubt be demanding “Quit with the interesting and just tell us!”But because she was trying to be more mature, she simply said, “How so?”
He drew out another paper, handed copies to Mam and herself.“You are both familiar with the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland in the mid 1600s, which saw the confiscation and redistribution of lands which were given to sympathisers.”
“Yes.”It was an ugly part of Ireland’s history that still drew resentment today.
“Well, here we see that the land in question was given by the Crown to the English Clotworthys, who then in turn gave a grant to the Quinn family in 1716.”
Her heart sank.“It’s true then?”Aidan had been right.She glanced at her mother, who had paled.Clasped her hand.Lord, please help us cope…
“Listen, for it’s not finished yet.The grant was a peculiar kind, with several conditions.In those days there was a kind of feudal tenure in which the new landholders were obliged to serve those whose largesse they enjoyed.In this particular grant, from what I’ve been able to gather, it appears that the grant to Thomas John Quinn held a caveat that he was to serve the Clotworthy family but when requested to do so, he failed to show.So the Clotworthys stripped the Quinns of the grant and sold to the highest bidder, which happened to be Anthony David Griffin.”Patrick glanced at Mam.“Your ancestor.”
Rory exhaled, squeezed her mother’s hand.“So itislegally Griffin land.”
“Yes.But it’s understandable that members of the Quinn family may have disputed this.The reason for Thomas Quinn’s no-show may be lost to history, but from what I’ve read here, it seems the Clotworthys were well within their rights to renege, as the Quinns hadn’t held up their side of the deal.”
How wonderful for them!But how devastating for Aidan.Her heart was torn.
“Thank you, Patrick,” she said.“That is a great relief.”
“I’m glad to have been of help.I must say, that was certainly a pretty little puzzle you presented me.”
