Chapter 2
"She was covered head to toe in flour by the time we got down there," Peyton told the group of ladies sitting around the table by the pool three hours later. "I didn't think Chef Kipkenney was going to be able to make all this for brunch with the amount of flour we had left, but luckily Mrs. Sharpe was able to get a hold of Miss Mooring before she got here." The ladies laughed and Peyton couldn't help but laugh with them. The nine ladies were made up of women from their forties to twenties (with Peyton being the youngest of the group by a few months) and were all either married or daughters of Darby O'Neil's colleagues.
"Katie is Riley's cousin through and through," the young woman on Peyton's right stated. Peyton gave the woman Peyton once thought she would never be friends with a her and the woman felt the same. Kayleigh Darcy was a stunning girl with bright red hair that looked unnatural against her pale skin and green eyes that always seemed to be laughing. She was slender, but in natural way that made Peyton feel self concise about her own athletic built. Kayleigh's looks and being flawless in nearly everything she did weren't the reason Peyton thought the two would never be friends. Kayleigh was Riley's oldest and closest friend in Ireland even though her older brother was Riley's age. The redhead was originally unsure of what to make of Peyton since she felt as though Peyton was invading Riley's happiness away from his family. After a few months of going to all the same parties and having classes together (since they were both Freshmen at NUI Galway) Kayleigh realized there was a lot more to Peyton than some victim. Peyton in turned saw Kayleigh less as being the future Mrs. Riley O'Neil since her Father was Darby's second in command for the Ireland business and more of a woman trying to make the best of her situation despite being born into a family she couldn't stand. It was after all Kayleigh who urged Riley to take another chance on Peyton and had been Peyton's maid of honor when Peyton and Riley had renewed their vows a few months after the two eloped per Darby's demanded. Peyton had not been a fan of the extravagant event that only served as Darby's punishment for her marrying Riley without his consent and a way to parade her in front of his employees to show Darby had conquered Vito Fiorillo's precious Peyton O'Connor without having to kill her. Peyton did have to admit the day did have its perks including seeing Kieran and eating the numerous dishes Pierre had made for the newly wed's party.
"I do recall someone going for a swim in this very pool in only her knickers since the boys were doing it, Kayleigh," Mrs. Peters reminded the redhead. "And I do believe that same person was the reason the boys got in trouble for picking all the flowers in my garden one summer." Kayleigh beamed.
"I do believe you're right, Mrs. Peters."
"On second thought maybe I should drop out of rotation for our brunches," Peyton said to the group. She looked at Kayleigh with a grin. "Maybe this morning was inspired from you spending nearly every day here the last month."
"Or maybe it's because Irish boys aren't the only ones with the twinkle of mischief in their eyes," Kayleigh replied with a grin.
"It's probably because Katherine is lacking a female parental figure here in Ireland." Peyton turned to the speaker to see it was a twenty one year old with brown eyes and brown hair styled in a bob. Unlike Kayleigh, the brunette used her association with the O'Neil's family business to become one of the top socialities in Galloway. She detested Peyton for being Riley's wife because she had been doodling and fantasizing about becoming "Mrs. O'Neil" since she was in elementary school.
"Bridgette darling don't worry about being a strong role model for Katie Rose when you're watching her," Kayleigh consoled sweetly. "She gets enough of that from Peyton. I'm sure Katie loves the fun you provide when she is off of school while Mr and Mrs. O'Neil are in class since they chose to get a university degree while you're the help. Isn't that right, Peyton?"
"It is nice for Katie to have a temporary governess while my husband and I are not home," Peyton agreed stressing the word temporary before she took a sip of her coffee her eyes never leaving Bridgette.
"Did you know Katie told me having a temporary governess on the days she off from class makes it even better when her parents come home?" Kayleigh asked Peyton. Bridgette dropped the china cup in her hand that held tea before she grabbed her purse and stormed away from the table. Peyton sighed at the sight of the broken china and Kayleigh (as well as a few of the other ladies) shook their heads at Bridgette's behavior.
"Well dear perhaps it's time to leave you to your preparations for your trip to the States," Mrs. Peters declared as she stood. "We'll see you before you leave, won't we?"
"As long as leaving date doesn't change," Peyton assured her as all the other ladies besides Kayleigh stood. "I'll show you to the door." Peyton walked with the women to the front door and said her goodbyes before returning outside to Kayleigh. "I'm going to have to replace the entire china set if Bridgette keeps accidently breaking something every time she's over here."
"Today was no accident," Kayleigh told Peyton as Peyton kicked off the pointy heels she had been wearing before she sat. She was dying to change out of the sundress she had on now that it was just her and Kaleigh, but they hadn't made plans yet for the day since the weekly brunches could be an hour or five. "You know she still fancys Riley."
"And if he wanted to he could have dated her when we moved here instead of that other girl," Peyton reminded her as Kaleigh unbuttoned the top two buttons of her dress. "And he came to me not the other way around."
"That doesn't matter to her. We both know she's using Katie to get on Riley's good graces and not watching Katie as practice mothering as she claims. I hope to God she can never get pregnant."
"You and me both," Peyton agreed as she saw the house staff with luggage through the open patio door.
"Enough about that dumb wench. What did you want to do now that school's out and you still have time to run trip errands later?" Peyton didn't answer and instead realized the luggage being moved was not hers or Riley's. Kayleigh followed Peyton's stare when the blonde wouldn't answer. "Peyton what's wrong?"
"I don't recognize that luggage," Peyton said as she stood. Peyton saw Mrs. Sharpe walk by. "Mrs. Sharpe." The woman came outside and curtsied.
"Mrs. O'Neil I was waiting to clean up until you and Miss Darcy left the area," the older woman informed Peyton.
"Whose luggage is that?" The woman looked at Peyton nervous.
"I thought Mr. O'Neil told you."
"Mrs. Sharpe," Peyton aggressively urged. The housekeeper lowered her eyes.
"They belong to Master Ericson." It took all of Peyton's strength to not break the rest of the china herself.
"What is Gus doing here?" Kayleigh asked Mrs. Sharpe kindly as the girl rose from her seat.
"That is not for me to know Miss Darcy."
"Where is he?"Peyton questioned.
"The west wing Mistress."
"Thank-you Mrs. Sharpe." The woman practically ran back into the house. Peyton went to take a step towards the house, but Kayleigh stopped her.
"Let's go shopping," Kayleigh offered.
"Maybe later. If you'll pardon me for not seeing you I'll call you in an hour or so." Peyton went to step around Kayleigh, but the redhead continued to block her way.
"We can go to my house or that pub you love to go meet that blonde American boy at." Peyton shook off Kayleigh's grip on the blonde's arm.
"Kayleigh I'm asking you nicely as my friend to please leave."
"And as your friend I'm asking you to not make a scene," Kayleigh countered seriously. "I know you're a bit biased with him because he was spying on you in Miami before you knew who he was, but for Christ's sake he's your…"
"Do not finish that sentence!" Peyton demanded. "I will not have that monster staying in the same house as Katie even if he's in a different wing!"
"Peyton you have no proof that he had anything to do with that and if you make a scene you know Riley and my Father are going to side with him just like you're Father and Mr. Darby did when you accused Gus."
"I'll call you later," Peyton promised before she went into the house.
"You're being a git!" Kayleigh called after her. Peyton ignored her friend and made her way to the east wing library knowing the bastard would be in her wing to provoke her. Sure enough, Peyton found a brunette man sitting on the library couch in front of the fireplace.
"Hey there little Sis," the man greeted.
"We're not related Arviragus," Peyton reminded the twenty-two year old. "Eric is not your Father despite the last name he gave you."
"But Shannon is my Mother," the man taunted with a smile. "Does it kill you to know that you are not the only sibling to Brian O'Connor." Peyton stopped her body from moving.
"What do you want?"
"You mean besides wishing you a happy abduction day?" Peyton gave him a blank stare as she chewed her lip. The man got up laughing. "Don't tell me you forgot what today is? Isn't that why you have dinner reservations with your husband and I'm watching Katherine." Peyton took a step towards him.
"You stay the hell away from Katie," Peyton warned. The man snorted as he took a step towards her.
"What makes you think you have a say in Katherine's life when you don't even have a say in your own life?" He looked over her before his hand found the hem of her dress. "You know you're nothing more than a pet for Riley proven by the lovely mark you bare." He gave her an evil grin. "How's the tramp stamp?" Peyton slapped him as the library door opened. Gus raised his hand to hit her back.
"Mr. Ericson I'm sure your hand is raised to check if you're bleeding," came a voice. Peyton looked towards the door to see a muscular man in his mid twenties with brown hair and blue eyes that were as cold as ice.
"Of course Liam," Gus said as he lowered his hand.
"Perhaps you would be more comfortable in your own room where you won't have to run into your step-sister." Gus shot Peyton a dangerous glare before he left the library. "Did you have to get in a row with him as soon as he got here?"
"I want him gone from this house," Peyton said as she walked towards the door. Liam opened the door for her and Peyton made her way towards the bedroom she shared with Riley.
"I would have the greatest pleasure in throwing him out, but he is here as a guest of Mr. O'Neil senior as well as your Fath…Eric O'Connor," Liam informed her as he walked next to her. "This goes over my head as well as Riley's."
"How long has he known?" Peyton asked as she entered her bedroom.
"He got the call this morning during breakfast that the jet was landing." Peyton swore under her breath and went into the closet to grab her overnight bag. "I don't believe Riley mentioned the two of you spending the night elsewhere after diner."
"I'm going to see if Dr. Connors can squeeze me in today for an appointment." Peyton was about to open the dresser drawer when Liam grabbed her wrist. Peyton easily broke the wristlock and Liam looked as if he couldn't decide whether he was irritated or proud that his student was paying attention in his self defense lessons.
"Mr. O'Neil didn't clear you to leave the house today." Peyton arched an eyebrow at the use of Mr. O'Neil instead of Riley. Yes Liam O'Rourke was the head of security for Riley thus making him an employee, but the man's family had served the O'Neils for many years and was seen as a friend by Riley than an employee.
"Mr. O'Neil expressed his concern when that the stomach bug that I thought I got rid of made a return appearance this morning," Peyton explained calmly. "It was my understanding that he wanted me to check it out immediately before we left California instead of waiting." Liam looked her in the eye and folded his arms across his chest.
"Why didn't you clear this with me earlier, Mrs. O'Neil?" He eyes shifted to the bag and she didn't need him to tell her how the bag was unnecessary.
"You left right in the middle of Breakfast which I assumed was because you wanted to check out Riley's meeting location, but now I'm thinking you were asked to pick up Arviragus to ensure no funny business happened when he arrived here." Liam gave her a slight smile. It was rare for the man to smile at all, but there were a times he had smiled at Riley and Peyton.
"I think you're too smart for a trophy wife." His smiled faded. "And the overnight bag?"
"The last time I was in there Dr. Connors said I would need blood work if the bug came back and I don't feel like changing here." Liam looked as if he wanted to argue but left it alone.
"I'll set up a squad to take you." Peyton opened the drawer and grabbed jeans as well as a T-shirt.
"To a gainatologist office? I don't think so Liam I'll drive myself."
"I thought you're car was in the American's autoshop."
"I'll use the Hummer. It's bulletproof and I'll pick up Katie if the exam runs late." Peyton slid flip-flops on her feet and turned to see Liam doubtful.
"If Riley doesn't go over his Father's head, are you leaving him?" Peyton sighed.
"No, he's my husband," Peyton assured him. "But I'm not staying in this house nor will I allow him to be anywhere near Katie Rose. We both know he was somehow involved with what happened two years ago." Liam pulled out his phone.
"Looks like my battery is about to die."
"Thanks Liam." Peyton left the room and went to Katie's room. Peyton quickly grabbed the girl's spare backpack to pack it with clothes as and the girl's favorite stuffed animal. Peyton then took the bag went back into her room. She threw her overnight bag back in the closet and grabbed her gym bag. Peyton shoved clothes in it not caring what she wore and instead focusing on having at least a week's worth of clothes. She then wrote a note for Riley and left it the nightstand for him to find. Peyton left the room and the house as if she was dropping off books to Katie before hitting the gym with Kayleigh. She went into the garage and grabbed the keys to the hummer. She tossed the bags into the trunk before she got into the driver side. Peyton called Dr. Connors who assured Peyton that she had an opening whenever the daughter in-law to Darby O'Neil wanted to come in. Peyton drove over to the clinic and much to her dislike was forced to have blood work done.
"I don't see any cold or flu symptoms but I just want to make sure you don't have a bug before you leave on vacation," Dr. Connors cautioned. "Don't eat after nine tonight and come in first thing tomorrow morning. We should have results for you in five to ten days, but I'll try to make it sooner rather than later, Mrs. O'Neil." Dr. Connors assured Peyton the blood work process would be fairly simple as the girl left the office. When Peyton got back into her car she saw she still had an hour and a half before Katie got out of school. Peyton saw she had a miss call from Kaleigh, but ignored it as her stomach growled. Peyton scrolled through her phone contacts before she came to the person she wanted to call. It rang a few times before the person picked up.
"Why hello Love," the person greeted. "Long time no talk except for dropping your car off which really can't be counted…"
"Are you busy at the shop?" Peyton interrupted.
"Not really. You and the Prince Prissy Pants get in a row about what shade of khacki pants to wear when you get on the plane to…"
"Gus is in town and staying at the house, Collin." The other end of the line was silent. "The Pub?"
"I'll be there in ten."
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