The Lost - J. D. Robb [136]
Still laughing, they showered together.
As they dressed, Aidan spotted the cashmere throw which had been carefully folded over the back of a chair.
She arched a brow. “I’d forgotten this.”
He merely smiled. “Like Cinderella’s glass slipper, it remained after you’d fled. I liked having it here.” His tone deepened. “I missed you the minute you walked out the door. Which is why . . .” He linked his fingers with hers and held the door. “This time I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”
His words touched her heart and made her so incredibly happy that she couldn’t stop smiling as they strode hand in hand from the cottage and made their way to the lodge.
As dusk settled over the land, the storm had blown itself out, leaving the gardens fresh and glistening with raindrops.
Aidan and Ross stepped apart before entering the library.
Cullen and Bridget were huddled in quiet conversation in front of a roaring fire.
The old man looked up with a smile and held out a tulip glass of champagne to Aidan. “I hope you found something to do while I was gone, my dear.”
She accepted the glass and sipped. “I had a lovely tour of the countryside by horseback.”
“Excellent.” He handed Ross a tumbler of ice water. “Thank you for standing in for me, lad.”
“It was my pleasure. You had to drive through quite a storm.”
“Storm?” For a moment the older man seemed puzzled. Then a wide smile split his lips. “Oh. Yes. The storm. Not quite as fierce in town as it was here, I expect. Did you two have supper?”
Aidan nodded. “And you?”
“Oh, my, yes. We ate at the pub after our meeting. Here, my dear.” He indicated a group of chairs in front of the fire. “Warm yourself.”
Cullen settled himself beside Aidan, while Ross chose to stand in front of the fireplace where he could watch her expressive face.
“The farmers were impressed by the accuracy of your figures. They claimed that without your help, they’d have had to hire a firm from Dublin, which would have charged them a fortune. Thanks to you, Aidan, they’re showing their biggest profit ever.”
“I’m so glad.” Aidan sipped her champagne and shot a quick glance at Ross, who was openly staring, as though he couldn’t get his fill of looking at her.
“The Cooperative would like to pay you for your services.”
Aidan flushed. “Please thank them for me, and explain why I must refuse their generous offer. It was such a treat for me to be able to do something that I enjoy while knowing that I was helping them. To me, that’s reward enough.”
“Indeed.” Her response seemed to please Cullen tremendously. “You’ve a generous heart, my dear. But then, I never doubted it. You come from a long line of generous souls.”
After less than an hour of pleasant conversation, Cullen stifled a yawn. “I’m afraid this day has worn me out. Forgive an old man his weariness.” He got to his feet. “You two stay and enjoy the fire.”
Ross gave a quick shake of his head. “I thought I’d give Aidan a tour of the gardens by moonlight. Will you join us?”
“Not tonight. I’m off to my bed.” Cullen bent to press a kiss to Aidan’s cheek. “I expect the courier should be here by the time we finish our breakfast.”
“So soon?” Aidan’s heart contracted and she looked over to see Ross’ little frown.
“’Twill end the suspense for you. For both of us,” he added as an afterthought. “Good night, my dear.” He straightened and walked to Ross, laying a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “Good night, son.”
“Good night, Cullen.”‘
Aidan was touched by the affection between the two men. It warmed her more than the fire.
Ross opened the French doors leading to the gardens. As she was about to follow, she turned to see Cullen and Bridget, heads bent once more in quiet conversation.
The moment she stepped outside Ross caught her hand and drew her deeper into the shadows.
“This is what I wanted.” He gathered her close to press soft kisses from her temple to her jaw, before claiming her mouth. “Only this.”
When they stepped apart, he started leading her along the path toward his cottage.
She held back. “I thought you were