The Lost - J. D. Robb [120]
Four
Aidan slept badly. Another reason, she thought, to resent Ross Delaney. Not that it was entirely his fault, but his touch had left her entirely too unsettled. Added to that were the strange dreams. Dreams of her mother and grandmother as young girls, dancing along the garden path with the wolfhounds, Meath and Mayo. They’d been close together, heads bent while sharing secrets, and when she’d tried to hear, they had climbed onto the dogs’ backs and disappeared high in the branches of the trees. But they had been so real, she woke from sleep, and found herself weeping furiously because she missed them so.
There had been way too many tears these past days. Time, she thought, to toughen up and get on with life.
As she showered and dressed, she renewed her determination to be perfectly honest with Cullen Glin. He’d been such a charming host, she owed him that much. It wouldn’t be easy, she realized. She’d begun to care about him, and hated the thought of bringing him any more pain.
Pain. She’d seen it in his eyes. Heard it in his voice when he spoke of having no kin. Still, she wasn’t responsible for his pain. She had her own to deal with.
There would be no dancing around the truth today. She needed to be candid and admit that she had come here out of curiosity, and for the promised money, because of the debts incurred during her mother’s long illness. No need to sugarcoat the truth.
Because she intended to be businesslike today, she wore her charcoal business suit and a simple white blouse. She took her time with makeup and hair, and noticed that her hands weren’t as steady as she’d like. No matter. It was time for complete honesty.
She descended the stairs and followed the sound of voices until she came to a sunny breakfast room, with a wall of windows overlooking the gardens. Along one wall was a sideboard with several steam tables. The smell of coffee, bacon and freshly baked bread had her mouth watering.
Charity was chatting up Bridget, talking on and on about her father.
“Oh. Good morning.” Charity placed a bowl of fresh snapdragons in the center of the table. “Mr. Delaney instructed us to be as quiet as mice today. He thought you’d sleep ’til noon. Did we wake you?”
“Not at all. I simply woke and knew I’d slept long enough.” Aidan paused. “Did I overhear you say your father was having trouble with his ledgers?”
“You did.” The girl blushed. “As part of the Farmers’ Cooperative, he’s obliged to balance the books, but the poor dear is having fits over all the numbers. He said he’d rather muck a hundred stalls than tally any more numbers.”
Aidan shared a laugh with the girl. “I wish I were going to be here long enough to lend a hand.”
“You’re good with figures?”
“That was my job when I worked at the bank. I love balancing books.”
“Oh, my.” Charity touched a hand to her heart. “If you could be here long enough to help my poor father, he’d bless your name forever.” She clapped a hand to her mouth. “Here I am babbling, and forgetting my duties.”
Aidan watched as the young woman danced away, returning moments later, trailed by Cullen and Ross.
“Good morning, my dear.” Cullen greeted her with a smile. “I instructed Charity to let me know the moment you came downstairs.”
“I don’t want to take you from your work.”
“I can work anytime. Right now, Ross and I will join you for breakfast.” He nodded toward the steam tables. “There’s ham and bacon already prepared. Kathleen will make any kind of eggs you prefer. And she’s already baked fresh scones.”
“I’ll start with coffee. Would you like some?”
“I prefer tea in the morning, but I’m sure Ross would like another cup. Ross?” He turned and the younger man gave a nod.
Aidan filled two cups and handed one to Ross before lifting the other to her mouth and drinking deeply.
Cullen held her chair, then took his place at the head of the table, with Ross to his left and Aidan to his right.
Charity paused beside him. “What is your pleasure, Mr. Glin?”
“Just bacon and some of Kathleen’s fine scones.”
“Miss O’Mara?” She paused beside