Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
The night before Mum’s return flight, I visited her at Gulliver’s to talk to her about Lorcan’s and my plans to have Finn stay with us indefinitely. Due to her lack of money, she decided to stay with her brother despite their problems. In her mind, Gulliver seemed to be the lesser evil compared to Lorcan.
Mum was silent for a long time when I told her our plans, fingers wrapped tightly around her glass of Guinness. “You have always been Finn’s maternal figure. If anyone should take care of him, then it’s you, but I don’t know how I feel about Lorcan being so close to him.”
“Finn loves him and Lorcan is so good with him. Finn needs structure. Imogen probably won’t wake.” It was the first time I admitted it to myself. I didn’t want to believe it, but for Finn’s sake I had to be honest. “And I know she would be thrilled.”
Mum nodded slowly. “This world is a cruel one, especially for a kid like Finn, so I suppose becoming a Devaney will give him a real fighting chance to succeed.”
If he lived with us, he’d be well protected, it was true, but that wasn’t even the main reason why I knew Finn would thrive living with us. Maybe one day we could even adopt him. My stomach tightened just thinking about it. It felt like I was taking something away from Imogen. “We’ll visit you and you can visit too, so you’ll see us often. I know it’s a huge change for you, living alone all of a sudden.”
Mum gave me a firm smile. “I’m a grown-up. I can handle it. It’s not your job to make me happy, Aislinn. That’s only my responsibility. I’ll use my newfound freedom to work more so I can pay Lorcan his money back.”
I rolled my eyes. “Mum, you can’t just work. You need to live a little. Please consider taking Lorcan’s offer. It’s madness to be indebted to the Devaneys without good reasons.”
“I have a good reason.”
At that moment, Gulliver came into the kitchen. After returning to New York, I’d only seen him during service, but I could tell he approved of my willingness to work on my marriage with Lorcan. “She’s stubborn, child. Don’t bother arguing with her.”
“Have a drink with us,” Mum said.
Gulliver took one of his most expensive bottles of scotch from the cabinet accompanied by three glasses, then settled at the table. He and Mum talked about their childhood, and I felt better about life and the future now that things seemed to be slowly going in the right direction. After saying goodbye to Mum, Gulliver escorted me to the taxi waiting in front of his house.
I turned to him before I got in. “Was it you that called me in Dublin?”
He cleared his throat. “It’s cold out here. You should get into the car.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
He gave a terse nod then half pushed me into the taxi and closed the door.
I couldn’t help Imogen. Not anymore. I could only make sure that Finn had everything he needed.
When I returned home that night, Lorcan had already put Finn to bed. It was the first time he’d done it. “How did it go?”
I was a bit tipsy from the scotch and Guinness we’d consumed.
Lorcan cocked an eyebrow. “We read The Gruffalo around five times. Then he fell asleep. And you’ve obviously had a few drinks.”
I sank down on the sofa beside him. “Mum agreed to letting Finn stay with us.”
Lorcan scanned my face. “You don’t sound happy about it.”
“I am happy. But I’m also anxious. This means a whole new amount of responsibility.”
“You have been responsible for Finn all his life. And you won’t have to carry the weight of responsibility alone. I’ll carry it with you.”
I leaned back with a smile. “I know. I’m glad for your broad shoulders.”
Lorcan shook his head, chuckling. “Maybe one day we can consider adoption.”
I froze.
Lorcan’s expression tightened. “No?”
“I was thinking the same today, but I’m not sure I can do this to Imogen.”
“The only person who matters in this instance is Finn. But we don’t have to decide this now.” He kissed my palm. “My father called a few days ago. He wants us to come over to the manor for his birthday on the twenty-sixth of February.”
That was in a few weeks. Could I leave Imogen alone for days? And did I even want to meet Devaney senior? Lorcan’s brothers had seemed okay, albeit intimidating, but Devaney senior would be on another level.
“Is it a good or bad sign that he wants to see me?”
“A good one. You’re my wife. It’s only logical that you have to meet my father.”
I swallowed, suddenly not tipsy at all. In mere weeks I’d be under everyone’s scrutiny, the long-awaited daughter-in-law. Lorcan and I were still at the very beginning of our relationship, still trying to get over the past and build a future together. We were on a good way, true. I could see in Lorcan’s eyes that this meant a lot to him. His father was important to him. It was bad enough that my mother disapproved of our union. It would be good to have Devaney senior’s approval at least.