Page 70 of An Irish Kiss
“I suspect it’s probably true all over the world,” Mam said.
Mam’s gaze veered to Rory, then Aidan, then back again.Her cheeks grew hot.Yes, the fact the man was standing here with them probably did look a little strange.Which meant now was probably a good time to say—
“Oh!”Rory turned to Aidan.“I just remembered.Did you see the Quinn grave here?”
“Mary mentioned it, so I saw it a few days ago.But thank you.”He smiled softly at her.
Her heart squeezed, and she couldn’t look away.She’d blame her ninny-headedness on the Fairall legacy for the fact she couldn’t hide that she’d tumbled so quickly into deep attraction.
His lips curved, then he turned to her mother.“Mrs.Fairall, would it be alright with you if I was to take you and your daughters out for lunch?”
Mam blinked.“Oh!Well, I’m not quite sure why you would want me to come.”She glanced at Rory.“I didn’t realise you two had become such a good friends.”
“I think it’s safe to say I may have overreacted at times where he was concerned.”
He snickered.
“And it’s definitely safe to say that Ash has.”
“Ash has what?”her sister said, leaning in as she always did when she heard her name.
“You might have overreacted a little bit about Aidan.”
For once her sister had the grace to blush.“Okay, okay.I might’ve gotten a little carried away at times.Who hasn’t?”
“Well, in that case, thank you, Aidan,” Mam said.“That’s very kind of you.”
A short time later they were in the little cafe across the road, and Rory was finally telling her mother about most of what she and Aidan had got up to in the past few days.Her mother was surprised, especially as she had not been around yesterday, instead visiting Aunty Aine, Dad’s sister who lived in Killarney.
“Well, I find I’m at quite a loss as to what to say.”She glanced at Aidan.“But you do seem to care for my daughter.”
“I do.”
Rory sipped her Bulmers, refusing to let her mind spiral down the path those two little words suggested.That didn’t stop Aisling’s smirk.
“So, Ash, what time are you heading back to Cork today?”Rory asked.
“For what?”
“Don’t you have university classes tomorrow?”Mam reminded her.
“Oh.That’s right.”Her expression grew sheepish.“I might’ve forgotten about that.”
Rory exchanged glances with Aidan, who seemed to be doing his best to politely hide his amusement.It was hardly any wonder that she’d forgotten, given her intensity with their situation.
“Well, I guess that means we need to make the most of things now.”Aisling glanced at Aidan.“Which means you probably need to come clean about exactly what evidence it is that you think you have that makes your family think you own the old ruined castle.”
“Ash,” she murmured, casting Aidan an apologetic look.
“No, it’s fair.”He sipped his drink then eyed them squarely.“I’d be happy to speak with you, but I don’t really feel like we should do it here.”
“Do you want to go back to the castle?”
“If that’s okay with your mother and sister.”
“I must admit that I’m curious,” Mam said.“You know that I am the last of the Griffin family, so these allegations have felt quite personal to me.”
“I’m really sorry.”He bit his lip, glanced at their plates.“I’m happy to explain as soon as you are finished.”
