Page 7 of An Irish Hope

“Are you okay?” Fiona asked. “Did you hurt yourself?”

Aww, nice to know her sister still possessed a heart. “I’m fine. My ego is a little bruised, but that’s not the important thing right now. The important thing is that Colin and Kara and Mam don’t find out because I don’t want this to spoil their day. Okay?”

“Okay. Now let me help.”

“Fine.”

As Rory fussed with Aisling’s hair, she took a deep breath to settle her nerves. The past half hour had been a little more frantic than she was used to. And given the sweat pouring down her back, she probably should have applied more deodorant. And perfume.

“There.” Rory patted the last of Aisling’s hair into place.

“Thanks. Oh, do you still have my bag?” she murmured to Rory.

Rory passed over the little reticule made of green satin that matched their dresses. She dug out a tiny perfume vial and lipstick then reapplied both. “Better?” she asked Declan.

“You’ll do.”

She nodded, drew in a deep breath, then forced herself to relax. That encounter before had been so weird, and had left her feeling on edge. She really needed to talk to Rory, who had experienced that strange sensation of connecting with Aidan, also courtesy of the Fairall legacy, apparently.

“Now, let’s give it up for the bridal party.”

She hooked one hand through Declan’s, the other hand on the side split which she prayed would hold together. That hand also held her bouquet which might hide the rip a little bit. She and Declan paused for a photo, smiled, then took their place at the table.

Colin and Kara soon entered to cheers and applause, and the festivities continued. Food, family, friends, music. Kara was a humble soul, with few family members to appease and no bridezilla demands to meet. So her one request—karaoke—was something that Aisling and Rory had determined to provide, which saw a huge number of seventies and eighties songs get their moment to shine.

Aisling nudged Rory and glanced at where Kara and Colin sang “You’re the One that I Want.” “I think they’re having fun.”

“Right?”

“It’s nice that Kara can sing. She definitely fits into the family.”

Rory leaned closer. “Aidan, for all his good qualities, is not a great singer.”

“Ooh, are you even allowed to say that out loud about Mr. Perfect?” Aisling teased.

“Mr. Perfect is so secure that he knows his limitations. But he’s also so perfect that he won’t let that stop him from having a good time.”

Aisling glanced at where he was talking with Mam and Aunty Aine. “He is a good guy.”

Rory sighed happily. “He’s the best.”

The music continued, Declan getting up to sing something by Guns and Roses, then it was Aisling’s turn to belt out her version of Kylie’s “Lucky.”

She grinned, curtsied at the applause, then passed the microphone to Fiona who refused.

“Oh. Go on.”

“I said no.”

“Ah, we all know you can’t make your sister do something she doesn’t want to do,” Declan said, his mouth twisting as he lifted his drink.

Fiona’s eyes narrowed, then she stood and shifted away. Right on out of the room.

Aisling turned to him. “Why does she dislike you so much?”

“I wish I knew.”

Aww. Poor guy.