Just Say Yes, page 24
‘I promise.’
The smile spread on his face as he looked out of the front windscreen. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’
35
Lorcan opened the back door of the kitchen for me, and suddenly I felt as if I’d entered an old saloon back in the Wild West. People crowded around the table chattering but the moment I stepped in, silence washed over the room as all faces turned to ours.
‘Ah, there you are,’ Maria said, immediately coming over and helping me off with my coat before I could object. ‘Did you have yourselves a nice time? Oh my, your poor face is freezing. Come and sit down by the Aga and warm up. Cillian, move yourself and stop hogging the best seat.’
‘No, really, I’m fine,’ I said, before looking over to the man Maria had addressed. ‘Please, do stay where you are.’
‘Not at all,’ Maria overruled. ‘I’ve a job for him anyway. This is my youngest, by the way, Cillian. This is Lorcan’s friend, Madeleine, the wedding planner.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ I said, waving in lieu of being able to actually reach across the table and shake his hand.
‘And you.’ He smiled that family smile. ‘The youngest and best-looking, obviously.’
‘Obviously,’ Lorcan said drily from behind me.
‘Now, come and sit down, Maddie. Here.’ Maria stopped for a moment and peered at me. ‘Are you feeling quite well? You look a little pale.’ She touched her hand, its skin soft, to my cheek. ‘Do you want to go and rest for a bit? Dinner won’t be for a little while yet.’
‘No, really, I’m fine, but thank you.’ Unconsciously I’d stepped back towards Lorcan as his mum began fussing over me. The dams of emotion had already been busted once today and the last thing I wanted to do was burst into tears in front of a kitchen full of people I’d never met. As I moved, I felt the warmth of Lorcan’s hand at my waist, the steady weight of it resting softly, just letting me know he was there and I was safe. The latter I certainly had no need to have worried about. After the initial lull in conversation, and introductions completed, I’d been made to feel part of the family almost at once, all of them wrapping me in a kindness that made me feel secure and relaxed. I spent time, money and energy every week attending yoga classes, all with varying names and claims, and yet not once had I ever felt as relaxed as I did now, sitting at this table, being absorbed into the heart of an Irish family.
‘I hope that wasn’t all a bit much,’ Lorcan said later as he sat on a wicker chair in my room while I unpacked the rest of my things and put them into the wardrobe. ‘The family can be a bit full on if you’re not used to it. I didn’t realise everyone was coming this evening. That particular message seems to have been left out of the family WhatsApp group chat.’
‘Perhaps they thought you’d veto it on my, or your own, behalf if you were told.’
‘It would have been on your behalf – and yes, you’re probably right.’
‘Then I’m glad they didn’t tell you because I had a lovely evening. You have a wonderful family, Lorcan.’
‘I do.’ He nodded. ‘Drive me round the bend some of the time, but I wouldn’t swap them for the world.’
‘And I can see why. As for the rest, I think that’s just part of being a family, isn’t it?’
He smiled, accepting the rhetorical question. ‘I was concerned you might feel a little overwhelmed.’
‘I know you were. And I appreciate that you were ready to bundle me out at my signal, but, once I was over the initial shock, it was good. Your mum is such a good cook, too,’ I said, patting my tummy.
‘She is that. I can always call you for a five a.m. run tomorrow to burn the stew off if you like.’
‘Very funny,’ I replied over my shoulder as I hung my last dress in the cupboard and closed the door. ‘Somehow I think running around for this wedding is going to keep me pretty trim, especially chivvying that photographer. I have to say I’m still concerned about him.’
‘I know you are. What are you going to do?’
‘I’ve managed to pin him down for a longer meeting tomorrow and will be insisting he show me what his plans are. I’ve got a copy of the standard poses Peyton and Patrick are after, but I know they want a lot of candid ones to capture the day more naturally on top of those. He’s charging enough and, from what I see, hasn’t done an event on this scale before, but seems to be very full of himself about knowing “just what Peyton wants”.’ I raised a brow at my recollection of the exchange.
‘He’s the one thing Patrick hasn’t been sold on from the start, but Peyton was adamant, and we know that what Peyton wants, Peyton gets.’
‘It sounds like this guy has been pretty persuasive and played on his existing friendship with Peyton. You know what she’s like. Yes, she’s used to getting her own way, but she’s also quite naïve at times because she’s had everything done for her. That’s why I wanted to get this meeting booked tomorrow so that I can talk to him before Peyton gets here.’ I plopped down on the bed and tucked my knees up, hugging them to me. ‘Seriously, this element is usually already sorted ages ago.’
‘But you’ll fix it. He’s not going to mess with you once he meets you.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Let’s just say you have a determined way about you, which belies your size.’
‘I’m not sure how I’m supposed to take that.’
‘OK, let me put it this way. You look like this petite, sylph-like waif but underneath that exterior is a backbone of steel and a woman who can kick arse. Clearer?’
‘Yes. Thank you.’
‘I’m not sure if any of that is politically incorrect – it’s not meant to be.’
‘I’m not offended. I rather like the description actually. It’s always nice to have an advantage, and someone thinking they can get one over on you because of your size or gender is incredibly annoying and wonderfully satisfying when you prove them wrong.’
‘I can imagine. By the way, the hot tap in there can be a bit temperamental so just shout if you’re stuck.’
‘If I’m stuck?’ I asked, my voice pitching up. Lorcan and I had certainly taken another step closer today, but I wasn’t about to invite him into my bathroom just yet.
‘Running the bath, I mean,’ he replied, the palest hint of pink on those cut-glass cheekbones.
‘I see. Thanks.’
‘It’s on my list of things to do for Ma.’ He took his phone out of his pocket. ‘I’m going to make a note of it now before I forget again. What’s the use of having a property developer son when he can’t even fix a tap for her?’ The question seemed more to himself than me but I picked up on it anyway.
‘Quite a lot of the house looks like it’s been modernised. That kitchen is beautiful and your mum clearly enjoys cooking and spending time in there. This room has obviously been redone as I doubt it came with an en suite originally, and I’m sure there’s more. Who did all this?’
Lorcan levelled his deep blue gaze at me and stretched out his long legs. ‘By the innocent look on your face, which I don’t buy for a moment, you know the answer to that question.’
‘Educated guess. And one stiff tap is not the end of the world.’
‘It’s not as it should be and that bothers me.’
‘Lorcan, I promise you I will cope and if it bothers you, then fix it. Get one ordered or a chap in or whatever you have to do if it’s getting to you that much, but don’t ever think you haven’t done enough for your mum. It’s easy to see what you mean to her and, from what I heard tonight, there’s plenty more you’ve done over the years, not just for her but for your whole family.’
‘I knew I shouldn’t have let Aoife switch places with me. My younger sister loves a gossip, true enough.’
‘She wasn’t gossiping. She was telling me about your family and I was interested.’
He pulled an unconvinced face.
‘Too late now anyway. I know all your deepest secrets.’ I waggled my eyebrows, expecting Lorcan to make some comment, or quip or just roll his eyes. But he didn’t.
‘I’d better leave you to your bath. Been a long day. Like I said, shout if you need anything.’ Pulling open the door, he gave a brief, fleeting smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and headed out, closing it behind him.
Why was it, just when you thought you knew someone, they did something that gave the rug you were standing on a good, hard yank, just in case you’d got too comfortable.
‘It’s OK, sweetheart. Peyton and I go way back. I know what I’m doing.’
Calum’s face was fixed on a point just over the photographer’s shoulder while I was staring straight at him, wondering if I could take him and thinking I probably could.
‘First of all, Mr Benson, I would appreciate it if you didn’t call me sweetheart. Madeleine, or Miss Hart, will suffice.’
He rolled his eyes.
‘Secondly, I understand that you have known Peyton for a long time but, in this particular situation, that’s irrelevant. The wedding is between two people, and obviously the photographs need to reflect both the bride and groom’s wishes.’
‘What groom has an input on the shots? Especially an Irish one.’ He laughed at his own joke. ‘I’m sure he’d much rather be in the pub anyway.’
‘Mr Kelly does have views on both the style and particular photographs for the wedding. The bride and groom have been very much a unit in their decision making.’
Something about this man had my senses tingling, and definitely not in the good way.
‘As for your other comment, perhaps it would be better to keep such opinions to yourself in order to avoid offending either Mr Kelly, his friends, family or really anyone, if we’re honest. You are, don’t forget, in Ireland and, as such, it would be best if you gave its people, including Mr O’Shea here, the respect they deserve.’
Vance Benson opened his mouth to either protest or make some other snide comment but I’d had enough by now and swept on. ‘So now I think would be a good time to walk through the venue and decide exactly where the posed shots will be, then go over the plan to make sure you have all the ones that are required listed so that none are missed. Do you have an assistant to help you on the day?’
‘I’m quite capable of doing this by myself.’
‘I am sure you are.’ Actually, I wasn’t at all sure. My gut instinct was quite the opposite. ‘I was merely asking as many photographers I work with have an assistant, especially when it is a function of this size.’
‘Like I said, I’m good.’
Ugh.
‘Calum, would you mind taking Mr Benson through to the main doors and we can start from there with the staircase? I just need to take this,’ I said as my phone vibrated and the florist’s name showed on the display.
‘Of course, Maddie. This way, if you please.’ Calum’s back was up but his professionalism kept his attitude in check. I had no doubt we’d have a good old gossipy take-down later.
I stepped through a doorway to take the call from Fiadh, who wanted to double-check timings, pushing the door to as I did so. Just as I hung up, Lorcan came through another door hidden in the panelling that I hadn’t even known was there, smiling as he saw me.
‘Hi,’ he said, then turned his head, the dark brows snapping together as he heard Vance speaking loudly to Calum outside the room. It had become obvious from the first meeting that Vance appeared to have no other volume. It was loud or nothing.
‘Is she always that much of an uptight bitch?’
‘She’s lovely, actually,’ Calum replied, loyally, and I made a mental note to give him a big hug.
Vance gave a sniff of derision. ‘Strutting around like she owns the place, bossing people about.’
‘She’s the wedding planner. It’s her job to make sure everything is as it should be for the bride and groom. And she’s very good at it.’
‘Yeah, well, she can back off me. I don’t need to be told what to do by a—’ His words faded as Lorcan yanked the door open and stepped out, his gaze focused like a laser on the photographer. I’d tried to stop him but frankly it was like tying a bull in a field to a kebab stick.
36
‘Is there a problem here?’ Lorcan asked in a voice that was controlled but made no attempt to hide the fact he’d heard the conversation and wasn’t best pleased.
Calum, God love him, merely looked at Vance, his brows raised as if interested to hear the answer himself. He certainly wasn’t about to help this guy wriggle out of the hole.
Vance attempted to puff himself up, and I was thankful for the fact I’d always been good at keeping a straight face. Lorcan had about eight inches and several stone in muscle on him and it was clear to everyone in the room he was endeavouring to hold his temper.
‘Who are you?’
‘Lorcan O’Malley. The owner of this venue.’
Vance shrugged. ‘Am I supposed to be impressed?’
Two things crossed my mind at this point. Firstly, how on earth was Peyton friends with this muppet, and two, how on earth had none of us yet punched him?
Lorcan shook his head. ‘No. You asked a question and I answered it. Now perhaps you would do me the same courtesy.’
Vance looked confused.
‘I asked if there was a problem.’
Vance shrugged but his eyes darted to me.
‘I’m sorry,’ Lorcan asked, ‘is that a yes or a no? I’m not only the owner of this place, but I’m also the best man for the wedding so, as I’m sure you understand, I need to know immediately if there’s a problem so that it can be rectified.’
The easiest way to rectify the problem would be to get this bloke on the first plane back to America but somehow I didn’t see that happening.
‘No problem.’ Vance did another chest puff. ‘I just don’t need to be told what to do. I’m more than capable of getting the photographs Peyton wants.’
‘I’m sure you are,’ Lorcan said smoothly, and I tried not to giggle as he purposely let me see him crossing his fingers behind his back. ‘But Peyton hired Miss Hart as her wedding planner in order to avoid more stress following their original plans falling through. As such, it’s Miss Hart’s job to tell you what to do, if needs be. Her requests are not to be taken personally, and, as such, it would be appropriate, and professional, if you showed her the respect she deserves.’ Lorcan’s words were delivered in his soft, lilting tones but there was a layer of unbending steel beneath them.
Vance had turned an interesting shade of purple, suggesting he clearly thought he was being unfairly attacked, but we were all beyond caring by then. Calum was staring down at his feet, but the tips of his ears were pink and I knew he was absolutely bursting with amusement. A thick atmosphere wrapped itself around our small group.
‘Right!’ I said, smiling brightly. ‘Vance, shall we have a walk-through and perhaps we could exchange some ideas and see how they tie in with what Patrick and Peyton want?’ Ideally, I’d have replaced this bloke in a heartbeat but Peyton was set on using him for some reason so right now it made my job easier if we could all get along. I didn’t trust him an inch but, to paraphrase the saying, I’d decided it would be safer to keep my enemy close.
He took a deep breath, threw a glare at Lorcan, which was like throwing a marshmallow at Mount Everest, and condescended to accompany me.
‘Let’s go,’ he said, smiling the fakest smile ever seen to man.
‘Great.’
‘You didn’t need to do that,’ I said as I returned to the little snug where Calum and Lorcan were sprawled, the open fire crackling enticingly. I’d just seen Vance off and had a short call with Peyton. I still had concerns about her choice of photographer but Peyton was so thrilled when I told her we’d done a walk-through that I didn’t have the heart to steer her towards the possibility of hiring someone else. I’d pulled in a massive favour from a photographer I’d worked with a lot who was taking some time off but had agreed, in case of emergency, to get herself over to the castle if it got to Wedding DEFCON 1.
‘Of course he did,’ Calum said, pouring me a cup of tea. ‘It was all terribly thrilling and ever so romantic!’ He laid a hand on his chest. ‘I loved it!’
‘You would,’ I said, plopping down next to Lorcan on the squashy sofa and toeing off my heels with the opposite foot. ‘You live for drama.’
‘This is true.’
‘Has he gone?’ Lorcan asked.
‘Yes. I think we’re more on the same page now though.’
‘He needs to learn some manners,’ Lorcan grouched into his mug.
‘I don’t disagree but I can look after myself.’
His gaze lifted to mine. ‘That, I have no doubt of. But he’d already insulted Patrick and the men of Ireland in general. I’m afraid it was one step too far when he started the name-calling on you.’ He gave a shrug. ‘And I’d do it again. He’s a cocky little eejit.’
It was hard to disagree with that so I sat back, lifted my feet towards the fire and wiggled my toes, warming them through and drawing a sense of comfort from the mellow setting.
Ballalee castle looked stunning. The twin stone staircases that greeted visitors as the main doors opened now had their carved balustrades swathed in deep green seasonal foliage, interspersed with white roses, lilies and froths of gypsophilia. Large silver lanterns lined each side of the path, ready to be lit as the light faded, with more floristry swathing the steps of the main entrance.
‘It’s definitely not subtle, is it?’ Lorcan asked as Fiadh adjusted the two enormous, highly fragranced displays each side of the table where Peyton and Patrick would sign the register, one of the many photo ops.
‘Subtle wasn’t the brief,’ I said, moving him out of Fiadh’s way. ‘Don’t you have something to be doing?’
