Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Stepping inside the castle, I drank it in with a soft smile, despite my nerves over seeing Aria. I stood in the entrance of the great hall. This was where Lachlan and my sister hosted ceilidhs and their Christmas and New Year’s parties. Aria had also added an end-of-summer party to the annual agenda since the estate was busiest at this time of year.
The great hall was a spectacular room for an event.
It had polished parquet flooring. The décor was traditional, slightly Gothic, with more than a hint of Scotland and luxury. A grand, wide staircase descended into the room, fitted with a red-and-gray tartan wool runner. It led to a landing where three floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows spilled colorful light. Then it branched off at either side, twin staircases leading to the floor above, which you could partially see from the galleried balconies at either end of the reception hall. A pennant flag hung from either balcony with the Adair family coat of arms on it, bearing the words Loyal Au Mort. It was the Adair clan motto. Aria told me it meant Faithful unto Death.
I thought that pretty fitting considering they were a family who’d clearly do anything for one another. Plus, I’d never seen men and women more devoted to their spouses. Other than North and Aria. And surprisingly, Theo and Sarah—the surprising part being Theo, not Sarah. The handsome Englishman turned into an entirely different person around Jared’s shy but strong cousin. His adoration for her was clear for all to see. It made me kind of envious. All of them did.
I stared at those words on the flag for a moment, trying not to overanalyze my sudden misery.
Then a crack brought my attention to the fire. It burned in the huge hearth on the wall adjacent to the entrance and opposite the staircase. Tiffany lamps sat scattered throughout on end tables to cast a warm glow over the dark, wood-paneled walls and ceilings. Usually the smell of burning wood and flickering flames in the hearth made Ardnoch’s great hall a bit cozier.
But it would grow hot out soon, so I saw no reason for the fire to be lit today. Aria must’ve requested it for some reason. Maybe it had something to do with the member who sat opposite the fire in one of the two matching suede-and-fabric buttoned sofas. There was a coffee table in between where her laptop sat while she tapped away on her phone.
More light spilled into the hall from large openings that led to other rooms on this floor. I could hear the rise and fall of conversation in the distance beyond just as the head butler, Wakefield, appeared. He was dressed like the underbutlers and footmen in black tailcoat and white gloves. His waistcoat, as well as the maître d’hôtel’s, was dark green instead of white to differentiate them from the rest of the staff.
“Mrs. McCulloch,” Wakefield greeted me with a deferential nod, and I tried not to show my surprise that he knew of my change of circumstances. “Are you here to visit with Mrs. Hunter?”
“Yeah. Is she available?”
“I will inquire. May I offer you a refreshment while you wait?”
My mouth quirked at the corner. I just loved the old-fashioned manners here. “I’m all right. Thanks, Wakefield.”
“Very good, Mrs. McCulloch. I will return shortly.”
I nodded, flushing a little because every time he called me Mrs. McCulloch, I experienced a fluttering in my belly. Not going to analyze that either.
A few minutes later, Wakefield ushered me into Aria’s office.
The room was a smaller version of the estate library. Wall-to-wall dark oak bookshelves, an impressive open fireplace, and two comfortable armchairs situated in front of a captain’s pedestal desk. A floor-to-ceiling window adjacent to the desk let in light so it didn’t feel too dark. Tiffany lamps aided in chasing off the gloom too. Luxurious velvet curtains at the window pooled on the wooden floors, most of which were covered in expensive carpets.
Aria leaned against her large desk. “So she finally appears.”
I blanched. “I’m sorry.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed heavily. “You know you used to say that a lot when you were younger. I thought we were past all the apologizing.”
Tears burned in my eyes. “I need you to know that no matter the stupid shit I spewed a few weeks ago that I would never intentionally hurt you.”
She remained unmoved, and I didn’t blame her. I’d acted impulsively in the past, said and done things I didn’t mean, and I thought I’d grown up since then. But what I’d said to her … “I know you love me. That you would have done anything for me. I had no right to make you feel guilty about going off into the world and finding what made you happy.”