Irish Dreams (7 page)

After Miriam showing up, Ethan would be shocked if Maggie wanted to see him. “No. I’ve got to leave town for a day or two. Must go see a property. An investment opportunity has come up.”

“What about Miriam? What did she want?”

“What else? Money. I said no, therefore she’s gone, for now. Hopefully, for good.”

“Doubt it. She’s like the plague.” Bryan released a puff of smoke, remaining quiet. As usual, he respected Ethan’s privacy. This time Ethan wanted him pushing for answers.

Taking a seat next to a wrought iron table, Ethan shoved a hand through his unruly hair. “What am I getting myself into?”

“Do you love her?”

“Who?”

Bryan tilted his head, brows knitting together. “You know who I mean.”

Love? He’d only known Maggie a week. “Do you hear what you’re asking me?”

“I know I haven’t heard an answer yet.”

“’Cause I can’t give you an answer. How am I supposed to know what I feel? I only met her days ago. I’ll admit she’s on my mind.” All the time. He glanced up. A curtain fluttered beyond a window. Strange, that it was open, considering the night’s chill.

“How’d you feel with Miriam after you two got married?” Bryan asked.

“Different.” He met his friend’s gaze. “It wasn’t like this, that I can tell you.”

Bryan sat beside him and leaned forward on his knees. “Look, I mostly stay out of your business for that reason–it’s your business. I also feel this whole thing with Miriam is partly my fault. I knew she was wrong from the beginning. Didn’t have it in me to tell you. Was a bit of a tool, sorry.”

Ethan shrugged. “I’m not sure I would have listened.”

“Maggie isn’t Miriam.”

“I’ve gathered that.”

“Still,” Bryan continued, “I’m not sure she’s ready.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“Perhaps this trip comes right on time. Will you be at our rehearsal dinner on Thursday night?”

“Aye, I should be. May be a bit late.” He stood. “I should go. I leave at dawn tomorrow.”

Bryan pushed himself upright and stood. “Have a safe trip. Good luck.”

Ethan stepped off the terrace. “Thanks, I believe I’ll need it.”

* * * *

Maggie neared the window as Ethan’s form disappeared into the night. What had he discussed with Bryan? He’d come back, but not for her. Maybe because they’d discussed Miriam. Or maybe he was too afraid to speak with her. Backing away, she let the drape fall closed. She was no better. He’d looked up once and she’d hid, like a coward.

With one hand, she rubbed the center of her chest, and with the other, folded down the comforter. Then she slipped between the cool sheets, reached over and turned out the light. Despite doubts she ever would, she slept.

Chapter 8

Maggie sat in the sitting room portion of Elsie’s bedroom and adjusted the top of her dress. The night of the rehearsal dinner had come quickly. More than she would have thought possible, as Ethan had clouded her mind during every waking moment. Fortunately, Elsie had made sure those moments were few.

“I told you straight hair was a great idea.” Elsie fiddled with the halter straps of her cornflower blue dress as she stood in front of her vanity’s mirror. The dress’s pale color matched her eyes, and when she turned to face Maggie, her smile dazzled. “You look gorgeous. The copper wrap dress makes your waist look tiny.”

“All right missy.” Poor Elsie did her darnedest to keep her upbeat. “Thank you for the compliments” Maggie bit her bottom lip and walked across the room. “Here, let me fix those.” She tightened the neck straps on Elsie’s dress and stepped back. “Beautiful. Bryan won’t be able to resist you.”

“I want you happy.”

Maggie cradled Elsie’s face between her hands. “I am happy. I can’t believe the day you’re getting married is almost here. It happened within the blink of an eye.”

“I know.” Elsie placed one hand over Maggie’s. “Sometimes I still feel like a five year old chasing you through my bedroom. Do you remember? You’d never let me marry Ken.”

She laughed. “Figures, my childhood commitment issues would come back to haunt me.”

“Maggie.” Elsie arched one perfectly defined brow.

“I know.” She turned Elsie, giving her a shove toward the door. “I’m just joking. Let’s go downstairs before your guests end up leaving.”

An hour-and-a-half later, the party was in full swing in Rose Hill House’s most decadent ballroom. The crystals in the enormous chandeliers gleamed like stars from the ceiling of the rectangular room. Silk curtains swept across the tall windows which stretched the length of the walls. If anything, the guests appeared to have tripled. From a side entryway, Bryan’s staff rolled out buffet tables laden with beef, lamb, pureed potatoes, an array of sweet breads, steamed mussels and stewed vegetables. Several waiters followed, carrying bottles of red and white wines.

“Wow,” Maggie said.

“I know, looks scrumptious, doesn’t it?” Elsie beamed. “Just wait until you see the desserts.”

Considering Elsie’s sweet tooth, she could only imagine. Behind them stood a dozen round tables dressed in linen cloths, crystal and polished silver. Rose-shaped butter filled petite porcelain bowls around floral centerpieces.

“Everything looks amazing, yet despite the hors d’oeuvres, your guests are beginning to resemble vultures as they near that buffet. I’m almost glad we’re across the room, as we won’t get run over as they make a dash for it,” said Maggie. “It appears a bunch of them must have done without food this entire week in preparation for this event.”

Elsie glanced around her and rubbed her stomach. “To be honest, I just may join them if my fiance doesn’t show up. I haven’t the slightest idea where he disappeared to and I unfortunately did not get any of our hors d’oeuvres.”

Maggie hadn’t see Ethan yet either. “Perhaps he and Ethan escaped outside somewhere.” Not unusual, since Bryan enjoyed the occasional cigar.

“Nope. Ethan had a business trip to go on a couple days ago. If he makes this dinner at all, it will be much later.”

“Oh.” Why had he not told her?

Elsie faced her and blinked. “Oh Maggie, I’m so callous sometimes.” She grabbed her hands. “The trip came up last minute. Ethan is not the type to kiss you like he did the other day and have it mean nothing. He
does
care for you.”

She shrugged. “Of course. Please don’t concern yourself about me.” There was no way she was going to let herself mope over another man. She flashed a smile. “If anything, I think we should do something about you and your hungry guests. We can’t have a fainting bride.”

“Pardon me for the delay,” Bryan said as he came up behind them, put an arm around Elsie’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “We had a parking situation to clear up.” He nodded at a couple of his wait staff to begin serving the guests. “We should probably say a few words and grab a seat ourselves.”

Elsie pouted. “I couldn’t agree more. My stomach is about to eat itself.”

As Bryan and Elsie thanked their guests for coming and said a blessing over the meal, Maggie wandered over to one of the vacant tables at the corner of the dance floor. She was in no rush to eat and the buffet line would be fairly busy for a while anyway. She didn’t want to admit being disappointed over Ethan’s absence but she was. How could he kiss her with so much passion and then leave town without telling her? Well, perhaps he wasn’t planning on leaving town for long, but still.

She adjusted her chair to watch the dance floor. The night was unusually warm for fall, and several dancing couples spilled out through the open doors onto a large terrace. Ethan was missing his best friend’s engagement party. And she was wasting time pining over him.

“May I have this dance?” A tall blond smiled as he held out a hand.

“I’d love to dance.” Or at least get her mind off a certain someone. Maggie slipped her hand in his and let him sweep her onto the dance floor. His eyes shone light aqua, like the Mediterranean and lips were full and nicely curved. Yet as he placed his hand on her back, there was no flutter in her stomach, no ripple of electricity up her spine. She hated that she compared him to Ethan. The man seemed perfectly nice and was a wonderful dancer.

“Have you lost someone?” he asked.

“Pardon me?” She met his clear, knowing gaze.

“You seem distracted, as if you are searching for someone. Did you lose them?”

She wasn’t sure she’d ever had him. “No. This party is so lovely. I guess I was a bit distracted.”

“You’re Elsie’s friend from the States, aren’t you?”

She nodded. “I’m Maggie. And you? How do you know Elsie and Bryan?”

“I went to school with Bryan and we kept in touch. Name’s William, but you can call me Will. How do you like Ireland?”

“Oh, I love it. Very…magical.” Magical? He probably thought her an idiot. “Well, I mean with the big trees and the rolling hills. Phoenix is nothing like this.”

“You about had it right. Ireland is magical for sure. Truth be told, there aren’t many places like it.”

His words thrummed through her, resonating with all she’d felt over the past few days. The thought of leaving such a beautiful place made her anxious.

“So does this person know you’re waiting for them?”

She opened her mouth. Nothing came out. How did they end up changing the subject? Was she truly waiting for Ethan? Of course she was, but that didn’t mean she needed to admit it.

The blond smiled as the song ended and he spun her to a stop. “Because, if I knew you waited for me, I’d be there.”

The truth in his words grated on her. “I’m not wa–”

“He’ll be here.” He lifted her hand and brushed a gentle kiss across her skin. “If not, he’s a fool. Enjoy your time in Ireland, Maggie.” With a bow, he turned on his heel and disappeared through the crowd.

Heat flushed Maggie’s cheeks. Was she so obvious? She scanned the ballroom. People laughed, danced, drank and ate. Suddenly feeling as if the walls closed in, she fled toward fresh air on the terrace.

“Leaving already?” a man said in a familiar voice behind her.

“Ethan.” He wore a black blazer, white, collared shirt and black trousers. Understated yet sexy. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

“My transport was delayed.”

“I see.” She couldn’t, really. She was blind to everything but him, the pulsing at the base of his neck, the slight lift of his mouth. Music and laughter drifted around her but she could only hear the undercurrent in Ethan’s voice enticing her.

“Where were you going?”

“Terrace.” What was the matter? Had she lost her ability to form intelligent sentences?

“Mind if I join you?” He held out a hand.

She shook her head, took his hand and let him lead her outside. Her insides hummed like the strings of a harp. Taking a deep breath, she found her voice. “Where did you go?”

He guided her along the balcony railing and leaned against it. “I went to see an investment property up north.”

“A hotel?”

“Yes.”

She ran a hand along the railing, hating the awkward conversation between them. “I saw you.” She said. “The other night. You spoke with Bryan.”

“You didn’t say anything.”

“It was late. You must have stopped by before going north.”

He stepped closer, cupped her chin. “I did.”

A tremor pulsated through her. She closed her eyes as he caressed her cheek with his thumb. “Ethan.” What was she doing?

“After the party, stay the night with me, Maggie. I’ve thought of nothing else but you for the past two days.”

She opened her eyes and studied his gaze, which glowed beneath the dim lantern lights. Reaching up, she put a hand over his on her cheek. “Yes.”

* * * *

Ethan took in Maggie’s curves as she walked into the cottage and set her purse down on a kitchen counter. He could hardly keep his hands off her in the car. Now, behind closed doors, his intention wasn’t to frighten.

“You look awfully serious. You sure you’re okay with this?” One corner of her mouth twisted into a smirk.

There was nothing he wanted more. “I knew we would be together.”

One defined brow arched upward. “A little cocky, aren’t we?”

Somehow his feet seemed to move him forward. “That first day I saw you, I felt it inside me, a draw like a magnet.”

“Me too.” She leaned back along the counter. “Although your kiss did take me by surprise.”

Another step. “I don’t usually kiss women I first meet.”

She laughed, tugged on the lapels of his jacket as he stood before her. “That’s a relief. We’d have a bit of a problem if you did.”

Mesmerized by her smile and the thought of caressing her soft skin, he said nothing.

She stopped laughing. Her eyes deepened a shade, resembling burnt amber. Her gaze dropped to his lips then flicked back up. “You haven’t yet shown me your bedroom.”

Arms wrapped around her, he pulled her close. Soft against hard, their bodies melded to each other. Bending, he leaned his forehead to hers. “We’ll save that for round two.” Then before she could respond, he kissed her, deep and hard until he thought he’d drown in the sweetness of her scent.