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)
“Does the property reach the ocean?”
“Yes, there’s pathway from the conservatory straight down to the cliffs.”
I shook my head, grinning. I’d missed Ireland beyond words, especially Dublin. But even the lush green countryside, with its dots of white sheep and the salty spray of the ocean warmed my heart.
The front door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered older man with gray hair and a beard appeared in the doorway. Then three huge dogs, Irish Wolfhounds, trotted out and down the stairs. Finn took a step closer to Lorcan and me and gripped our hands.
“They look like wolves but act like sheep, don’t worry,” Lorcan said, but even I tensed as the huge dogs rushed toward us. They greeted Lorcan then sniffed at us with wagging tales but stilled showed restraint.
“William, Butler, and Yeats,” Lorcan introduced the three giants. Their heads almost reached my chest. I grinned wryly because of their name.
“My father loves his poems,” Lorcan said then nudged me and Finn in the direction of the front door. I’d worn a beautiful new wool dress and elegant leather boots to make a good impression. I hadn’t wanted to be part of the Devaney family, but now that I was, I wanted them to like me. I’d never had a big family and always longed for it. Even if this wasn’t my ideal of a normal family, I knew it would be good for Finn too.
Lorcan and his father hugged very briefly. It was obvious they had trouble showing affection. It was almost endearing. “Father, this is my wife, Aislinn, and this is Finn.”
I took Devaney senior’s hand and smiled nervously.
“Good to finally meet you, Aislinn. It’s unfortunate that your husband didn’t think it necessary to introduce us before your wedding.” The last was said with reproach in Lorcan’s direction. “Call me Thomas.”
I blinked, surprised. “Nice to meet you, Thomas. I wish you could have been at our wedding.” Back then, I had been relieved about his absence, but now I wished we’d had a wedding with both of our entire families present.
“Then my son and you should have married in Ireland as was expected.”
I flushed. Lorcan leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Now that’s he’s guilt-tripping you, you’re truly a part of our family.”
Thomas narrowed his eyes. “Don’t listen to whatever he’s saying. He’s been a thorn in my side since birth.”
I smiled sheepishly, unsure how to react to their constant banter.
Thomas turned to Finn, who was half hidden behind me. “Young man, welcome to the family. Do you like skeet shooting?”
Finn frowned.
“I’ll show you later,” Thomas said. “How about you call me gramps?”
After a look at me and Lorcan, he gave a small nod.
“Come on in. We’re letting the cold in.”
We went into the huge entrance hall of the mansion. A long, colorful silk carpet gave the room a cozy look. A grand staircase led to the first floor. The steps had a slight dip in the center from centuries of use. Tapestries with hunting scenes decorated the walls, and a fireplace added to the cozy atmosphere. We moved on to a sort of living room, that also had a fireplace, albeit a bigger one.
“The big fireplace is in the fireplace room,” Lorcan said with a wink.
“Of course,” I muttered under my breath.
Finn’s mouth hung open as he scanned our surroundings. One of the Wolfhounds came up to him, and he patted him carefully. The dog was taller than Finn.
“They’re docile,” Lorcan assured me again.
“Do you like chocolate cake?” Thomas asked Finn. He nodded enthusiastically.
“My cook baked one for you. Let’s go into the kitchen.”
I gave Finn an encouraging smile, and he took Thomas’s hand. I bit my lip as I watched them walk away.
“Dad’s good with kids.”
Finn seemed to like the old man, just like he’d liked Lorcan from the start.
“Do you want a tour of the house?”
“Don’t call it house. It’s a castle, but yes.”
Lorcan took my hand and led me back into the entrance hall then upstairs. “Only Aran is here. Balor, Callahan and Caden will arrive later today.”
The silk carpets in all the rooms must have cost a fortune. They looked hand-crafted and ancient. My lips parted in astonishment as Lorcan led me through the first floor then the second and third. My mouth didn’t close as we discovered the many rooms, staircases, and even the attic. Nobody needed that much room, but I was in love with the place.
The manor belonged in a horror movie. Hitchcock would have certainly found great inspiration in every nook and cranny of the huge place. It was perfect.
Sheep grazed the slopes surrounding the manor, and horses joined them a bit further out.
“Who takes care of this when you all live in Dublin?”
“A groundskeeper lives in the house we drove past but there’s always been at least one of us living under the roof at any given time. It was never deserted. Father always said a house needs to be lived in to qualify as a home.”