Auggie had driven himself. Still, there was an entire staff waiting to greet us as we arrived. This group wore only black, meant to exist only the shadows when needed.
“These are monks within the church,” he explained as we approached. “Servitude is duty. And holy.”
I bowed slightly to them as they curtsied to receive me. I was sure I would never get used to it.
Dash, on the other hand, was lord of the manor from the time he tipped his head to acknowledge the first in the line.
All the McPhee’s sucked in a breath as they pulled open the huge iron door and we entered the Grand Hall, with a large stone staircase that went up to the other floors. Staff waited holding trays of mimosas for the adults and juice in the same elegant stemware for the kids. Jack and I opted for juice as we followed the group into the drawing room, lined with portraits telling the Quinn family history. “O’Cuinn, as it was in the beginning,” Auggie explained, pointing to a purple and black tartan that his Gaelic ancestors had established for their clan in this new country by the 15th century. “The castle itself was built in 1169,” he told us as we walked the first flight to a large portrait covering one wall, just above a massive fireplace. “King Seamus and Queen Freya,” he introduced as we stared up at their classic, royal images. Auggie could trace his lineage to these two individuals, who staged a coup against the ruling Vikings so that they could be together.
After that, their love would reign through their children and their children’s children, all the way down to Auggie.
I stared at them in awe as he gave my family the same history lesson that he gave me to once upon a time. I realized as I glanced back at him that was the first time we ever spoke, the first humiliating interview no withstanding.
Little did I know, I thought with a smile, I would be standing there in that castle mere months later, a royal engagement ring adorning my left hand.
I cradled Jack. I didn’t know a lot of things way back then.
Auggie gave us a tour of the ancient rooms, each with tall arched ceilings and impressive stone fireplaces, carved to tell Aldaynean history. Suits of armor guarded entries and stood stately beside the gilded canopy in the throne room. I found myself bowing before the empty throne without thinking twice to do it. Unlike Castlewick, Greystone had no modern touch. It was all stately and majestic; it felt like stepping back in time as we passed through each arched stone doorway, especially the further we explored. There was a literal round table in a stark stone room, where knights of old had gathered. Deer and elk heads hung overhead, trophies of the hunt. I felt ghosts following behind us. When we reached the top of the tower that overlooked the falls, I said as much to Auggie.
“It’s not the dead who can hurt us, Pea,” he murmured close to my ear.
I softened as I stared up at him. “I can see where you got your heavy metal influence.”
He chuckled. “No set I ever created did it justice. It’s dark, but not sinister. Ghostly, but not haunted.”
I nodded. Much of Greystone felt like an actual home, with pastel walls to contrast the stark stone. There were pockets of medieval touches, a testament to the castle’s, and Aldayne’s, rich history.
He took us for a tour of the grounds, which included a stable filled with Aldaynese horses, stately, majestic black animals with silky manes kept long and shiny over their faces. I watched in wonder how unafraid Dash was of these monstrous creatures. Auggie’s gentle hand steadied them instantly, and Dash was quick to follow his lead in just about anything he did.
We passed through the orchards, where all manner of fruit grew, including my beloved auberries. Auggie picked one right from its bush to feed it to me.
As he led us through hidden trails covered by trees, we came across some wild deer that roamed free across the estate. Dash was instantly enchanted. “Look!” he said.
“Aldaynean red deer,” Auggie said. He took some berries and walked carefully towards the animal. It started to dart away, instantly skittish. Auggie took his time, being patient, calm, speaking softly, until the young doe finally inched forward to take the fruit right from his hand.
“Whoa,” Dash breathed, like had performed a miracle.