Page 48 of Irish Betrayal

That expression alone nearly killed him.

Rowan was suddenly there, moving past Daniel and enveloping Blair in a hug. “Surprise! I take it your mom and dad kept our secret.”

Blair returned the hug. It was wild to see his aunt, who was a small woman herself, envelope Blair’s even tinier frame.

Blair’s mouth opened like she might speak, though she was clearly stunned speechless. She did pull back enough to sign. “They didn’t tell me. Surely, you didn’t come all this way for me.”

Daniel watched as Blair winced at her words. “Of course,” she tapped her forehead and shook her head, “I forgot for a moment that you are good friends with the Stantons.”

“We are good friends, but me and Daniel,” Rowan paused and glanced over her shoulder, “and Ulf were elected to come make sure that you’re alright. Everyone is missing you, Miss Barr.”

Blair had the grace to look chagrined, and Daniel didn’t believe that was an act. She would be the last person to ever put anyone out.

Katy stepped forward, bending to pick up the dropped notebooks before standing awkwardly next to Rowan. Katy didn’t sign, but she was very good at making sure she had Blair’s attention before speaking.

“I’m sure you’ve had a long day. Won’t you come sit down and have a drink? Dinner is ready if you’re hungry,” Katy finished lamely, gesturing to the china-and-crystal-laden table behind her where Ulf, William, and Daniel stood.

Daniel wanted to go to her. He wanted to tell her that she didn’t have to sit down with them. He hoped that Blair didn’t feel ambushed, but really, how else could she feel? He kept all of his questions and emotions under lock and stood like a silent, judgmental sentinel.

Rowan touched the embroidered lapels of Blair’s blouse and asked if it was one of Mags. Blair’s first smile of the evening graced her lips when she nodded yes.

Forging past any awkwardness, Katy stepped forward to examine the blouse, making appropriate sounds of appreciation.

With an arm wrapped firmly around Blair’s waist, his aunt led his runaway girlfriend to the table, seating her next to where Daniel was still standing. She flicked her eyes once his way, then again as she accepted a can of ice-cold Guinness. The drink was his idea, knowing that it was Blair’s and her mother, Catriona’s, favorite.

Another smile passed her lips as she expertly poured the dark stout into the cold mug Katy placed next to her.

Ulf wrapped his knuckles on the table in an obnoxious bid to gain Blair’s attention. She had been avoiding his uncle’s stare.

When she finally looked at Ulf, Daniel had to hide his smile when he saw her eyes roll. That was the Blair he knew and…

“You’ve lost weight. You look sickly,” Ulf stated in all his uncouth glory.

Katy and Rowan gasped. Rowan actually took her fork and rapped Ulf’s knuckles. “Don’t you dare say another word like that.” And under her breath but still loud enough for the table to hear and Blair to read, “Ass.”

Ulf calmly took the fork from Rowan and took her hand, placing it under the table. He watched in amusement as his aunt tried to jerk her hand out of his uncle’s grasp, where he was holding it hostage, without success.

Pretending he wasn’t in a tug of war with Rowan, he gave his attention back to Blair. Daniel felt more than saw her body stiffen.

While the Stanton housekeeper brought the rest of the meal’s courses, Ulf didn’t miss a beat. “Are you ready to stop this bullshit escapism you’ve been indulging in and come back to Wales?”

Oh, Christ. Ulf had no filter.

Blair’s hands flew up, signing a flurry of statements that in essence boiled down to “Go to hell” in about ten different ways. Ulf, who was still learning BSL, simply turned his head and sipped his whiskey, effectively ending the one-sided conversation.

Blair’s hands dropped to the table, her knuckles white from her tight fists. She glanced at Daniel, frustrated because she knew Ulf wanted her to speak, and if she was going to defend herself, she’d have to.

Taking a page from Ulf’s book, he took the hand closest to him and brought it to his lap. Unlike Ulf, if she’d tugged, he would have let her go.

Facing forward again, she took a deep breath and spoke out loud. “I like it here. I’m doing good work.”

Daniel slowly rubbed his thumb over the back of Blair’s hand where it rested on his thigh.

Ulf turned, giving his attention to Blair once more, having gotten what he wanted. “And does your good work include hurting your friends’ feelings? And Daniel’s?”

Blair’s shocked inhale had Daniel saying, “Enough, Uncle. Don’t bring me into your quarrel with Blair.”

Blair was watching his lips, reading the words that he hadn’t signed. Her eyes were huge, and it was clear she was close to tears. Daniel barely heard the hushed conversation between Rowan and Ulf. He couldn’t take his focus off the woman at his side.