but have known existed. Still. . .”
Still, she was afraid that whatever Julie felt was doomed. That was it? “I don’t know what to say.”
“Then let’s walk. I find that best in any case.”
Julie clamped her mouth shut then followed the wolfhounds, and the dowager countess over the rough path, her red boots splashing in the puddles. She drank in the earthy air tinged with salt from the sea.
She wasn’t going to let Damina’s grandmother’s worries bother her. She and Damian had had a wonderful night. He’d been kind and gentle and the passion they’d shared had to have been unique. Damian would see that. It felt like with each day they passed that they were growing closer. Closer by leaps and bounds.
A smile pulled at her lips. It was all going to be fine. More than fine. She was in Ireland, staying at a beautiful castle, and sharing the bed of an completely gorgeous and sexy man. What more could she want?
After what had to have been another hour, and the sun coming up to hide behind the heavy clouds promising rain, they headed back towards the tall, thick yew and oak trees surrounding the castle.
Damian’s grandmother waved her on. “Not done yet here. The dogs need a bit more time. Join us tomorrow if you like.”
Julie watched them head back out towards the hills and Julie smiled. The dogs were lucky they could keep up with the old woman. She was as fit as a mountain goat.
As it was, Julie’s muscles were aching. She couldn’t wait for a bath and breakfast with Damian.
When she reached the steps to the castle, she lifted her gaze and spotted his mother. Immediately her stomach dropped. The sight of the woman was enough to send a chill through her which meant Lady Clare was a desperately unhappy person. Still, she forced a smile. “Have you seen Damian? I have some questions for him and—“
Lady Clare smiled. A tight, hard smile. “He’s gone.”
“Gone? “ Julie echoed. “To Galway?”
“No dear. Hong Kong, I think.”
Julie stared, uncomprehending.
“He’s always leaving. Did you think he would stay?” Lady Clare gave an exaggerated tsk. “Well, we all must cope with disappointment.”
“Disappointment and I are old friends,” Julie said tightly, refusing to give the mean old fish the satisfaction of seeing her pain. “Besides, Damian’s my boss.”
“Yes,” she agreed coolly. “And you’re an employee.”
“Yes.” Julie forced a smile to her lips. “Can you tell me where the library is and I need a wifi connection. I have some research to do about the instability of the Fitzgeralds.”
She marched up the steps heading into the house, leaving an open mouthed Lady Clare.
Damian’s grandmother had known. Without even seeing her grandson, she’d known that Damian wouldn’t behave the way Julie had hoped and that was brutal. Julie stopped inside the entryway, alone in the cool space. She closed her eyes. What a fool she was. Dreaming again. Well, it was about damned time she finally woke up.
Did You Miss DIRTY BEAUTIFUL RICH PART ONE?
Here’s a snippet!
J ulie Doyle had choked down her very last starvation inducing diet shake. This time she meant it. She picked up the unwieldy cardboard box full of insanely expensive fat burning liquid and cursed. The thing barely fit in her arms and she used her knee to quickly balance the half full box.
Of course, it had been Derrick’s idea. She could still remember with a sick feeling in her stomach him whispering, but baby just think how hot you’d be if you lost thirty pounds . God, it was so hard not to hate herself for being such an idiot. Again. She grabbed her keys out of the dish by the entry with the tips of her fingers then hauled the front door open. She huffed for breath then managed to wedge herself through the opening and slid out into the hall. She should have done this before she got dressed up for the official We Hate Derrick the Cheater night her friends had arranged, but she just hadn’t been able