Drake raised his palms in defence. “Hey, I was only doing my job. She screamed.”
He adjusted his collar. “I’ll have a word with the lady of the house over this.”
“No you won’t,” Declan said. “We saw what happened. You were hitting on her.”
Crisp’s lips strained into a cold smile. “She was very encouraging.” His eyes travelled to Drake’s as a form of challenge.
“If I hear even a hint of you trying it on with the young staff, I’ll wipe that constipated smirk off your face.” Declan stood intimidatingly close to Crisp.
V-shaping my fingers towards my eyes, I added, “We’re watching you.”
He puffed out smoke and returned an ugly smile. Thick-skinned as always, he didn’t ruffle easily. If at all.
His background was a mystery—a self-made man, we’d heard. He was also well-educated. Or was that a ruse too? He could have just been one of those well-read types who could wax lyrically about war history, politics, and art as fluidly as my mates spoke about the latest money-making fads and football club takeovers. We’d once joked that Crisp had probably arrived at his wealth through drug trafficking or some equally nefarious activity.
Drake watched Crisp skulk off. “He was hitting on her for sure.”
Manon’s responsehadsent out all kinds of wrong messages. Was she enjoying the much-older man’s attention or protecting her job?
Declan patted Drake’s strong shoulder. “You did the right thing.”
The boy rubbed his neck. “I might have just lost my job. He’s in thick with your mum, isn’t he?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure nothing comes out of it. You did the right thing,” Declan repeated.
Chapter 25
Mirabel
Ciansmiled,andmyeyes pooled with warmth and love—the kind of love I didn’t even know I possessed. I showered my son with so much affection, I had to watch I didn’t smother his little soft body when cuddling him.
“He’s gorgeous,” Theadora crooned. “He’s so big.”
“I know. He’s only one month old. He was such a big baby from the get-go.”
Sheridan was with me in Bridesmere. I couldn’t get rid of her. She’d set up a working-from-home portal, enabling her to transfer her clients online. I didn’t mind. In fact, her support had proved invaluable. She was the one with the manuals, scrolling her laptop for anything to do with caring for a newborn.
Theadora dropped in often too. We’d become extremely close, and without these two fabulous women, I would have struggled. Not that Cian kept me awake. He was an angel. I felt really blessed.
The actual delivery had been difficult, though. In the end, I’d needed to have a c-section. But with Sheridan there at the hospital around the clock, I was well and truly supported.
“He really wants to see you.” Theadora’s begging tone had me gulping for air.
Vanity and fear had stopped me from seeing Ethan after the birth.
I ran and hid just as he came towards me that one time I saw him in the village. This childish behaviour was pure protection. I couldn’t have him committing to me because of the child. But then, I couldn’t also revert to casual sex, either, despite my body burning for him.
“She’s being stupid,” Sheridan told Theadora. “I keep telling her. And what if he’s the father? He’s got a right, you know.”
I nodded. I knew that. It would happen. I hoped he would forgive me for not allowing him to see his son born, despite the fact I was on an operating table and not the standard delivery. That made me feel a little inadequate too. Sheridan kept reminding me that it didn’t matter how it happened, as long as mother and child were well. And that, we were.
“Cian might not be his.”
“When’s the paternity test happening?” Sheridan asked.
I scratched at my oily scalp. I’d really let myself go. I felt like a cavewoman. “Soon.” I’d thought of little else. I knew I needed to call Ethan.
It was such a lovely sunny afternoon, we decided on a walk down to the pier. I covered Cian with a blanket in his stroller, and Sheridan and I ambled along. Every now and then, I paused to look at my son’s little face, which was filled with wonder at the passing parade of life.