The Lost - J. D. Robb [137]
“And so I shall.” He gave her a wicked grin. “Look quickly. Drink it all in as you pass through. As soon as we reach my place, I have no intention of letting you out of my arms again until morning.”
Their laughter drifted like music on the night air and carried into the library, where the old man and woman shared a conspiratorial smile.
Eight
Aidan crept into the lodge and up the stairs. In the privacy of her room, she undressed and stepped into the shower. When she emerged, wrapped in a huge bath sheet, she sat at the ornate dressing table and dried her hair before dressing for the day.
She’d never felt so alive. So filled with joy. So thoroughly loved.
And all because of Ross Delaney. She felt as though she’d been waiting for this man all of her life. He was fun and funny. Sophisticated, yet as down-to-earth as any man she’d ever known. He had a gentle way of teasing, of coaxing a laugh from her even in the midst of a serious conversation.
Her soul mate.
He’d been so much more than she’d expected. Warm and sentimental. And sexy as hell.
Love at first sight. It was a concept she’d long disdained. But there was no denying, it had happened to her. She felt as giddy as a girl on her first date. Light-as-air happy, and wildly, madly, deeply in love.
Foolish, of course. For Ross, she would be nothing more than a harmless fling.
The woman hasn’t been born to suit Ross Delaney. ’Tis said he’ll never marry.
Aidan consoled herself that it didn’t matter. What she was feeling for Ross was enough for both of them. And he would never know, for she would never admit her foolish feelings. The love she felt for him would be her secret.
At a knock on the parlor door, she hurried over to find Bridget carrying a silver tea service.
“Good morning, miss. I thought, since I heard you up and about so early, you might want a cup of tea before you go down to breakfast.”
“Thank you, Bridget. That’s so thoughtful.” She watched as the housekeeper set the tray on a side table. “Do you have time to join me?”
The old woman smiled at the unexpected gesture. Not that she was surprised. In the short time the lass had been here, she’d proven herself to be kind and thoughtful with everyone, from Himself to the staff to the strangers in the Farmers’ Cooperative.
“Afraid not. I’ve my morning chores to see to.” Bridget stared directly at Aidan. “And, as you can imagine, I’ll be keeping an eye out for the courier.”
Aidan’s hand went to her heart as it took a quick dip.
Bridget poured a cup of tea. “Cullen Glin is the finest man I’ve ever known. It does my heart good to see him so happy, hoping that today may be the day he’ll learn that he’s a grandfather. Just think, after today, this could all be yours.” She set down the teapot and handed the steaming cup to Aidan. “Of course, that will mean he’ll have to amend his will.”
“His will?” Aidan’s head came up sharply.
“When he had his lawyers draw up his original will, he’d planned on leaving everything to the young man who saved his life. Having a blood relative changes everything. Not that Ross will mind in the least. His love and loyalty for Cullen Glin are true and deep, and has never been about fortune or status. Still, it will surely change things between the two.”
Seeing the stunned look in Aidan’s eyes, Bridget clapped a hand over her mouth. “There I go. Running off at the mouth again. Talking about things that are none of my business. It’s always been my greatest shortcoming.” She turned away. “Now you just forget everything I said, miss, and enjoy your tea.”
She nearly ran from the room in her haste to escape.
When the door closed behind her, Aidan sat, staring into space. Through the open windows she could hear the soothing sound of the fountains and could smell the wonderful perfume of the roses.
Hadn’t she called this paradise?
And it was. It was almost too perfect to be real. This could all be hers. If she was indeed Cullen’s granddaughter as he hoped, her life as she’d known it would be forever altered. All her debts would