‘Do you want to see the other views?’ he asked eventually. ‘This is the most spectacular one but the others are still stunning and you can see them from the buggy.’

‘Do you have time?’

‘All the time in the world.’ His smile was as fleeting as one of those dancing horses out on the wild ocean.

‘That would be great, then, thank you.’

With his assistance, we headed back to the buggy. My leg was actually pretty painful again now and I was glad of being able to see the rest without having to walk too far.

‘This really is the most incredible place,’ I said, taking in the view of the grand stone edifice from across the lawns, the lush landscape stretching out far beyond behind it. ‘Has it always been kept like this?’

‘Ah, no, unfortunately. It was well on the road to rack and ruin, left to crumble. Once places like this get past a certain point, it gets harder and harder to restore them. It was sad to watch that happening here.’

‘I can imagine. But something stopped it?’

‘An investor. Someone who didn’t want that to happen. Money and a lot of hard work got poured in and thankfully the castle turned a profit by becoming a destination and event venue. Luckily there was enough in the coffers to enable it to weather the most recent storm of the pandemic and bookings are steady again now.’

‘That’s great. I’m so pleased. We’ve lost so many beautiful houses over the decades, certainly in England. It’s such a shame. It would have been so sad if the castle had been left to rot. It’s magnificent in itself, but in these grounds, and this location, it’s just… wow.’ I laughed. ‘I’m out of adjectives.’

Lorcan flicked a glance at me. ‘I know what you mean. It’s a pretty special place. Means a lot to the village too.’

‘They must have been pleased that it was bought by someone sympathetic to creating a purpose for the original building rather than demolishing it and building on the land.’

He gave me the briefest of grins. ‘There are benefits to being in the middle of nowhere. It’s less likely to be developed.’

‘Then, I, for one, am very glad it’s in the middle of nowhere.’

‘Apart from the fact you’re stuck here with me.’

‘Well, yes, but, as you said earlier, nothing’s perfect.’

‘Touché,’ he said, a low rumble of laughter sending ripples of warmth through my body. I gave myself a mental kick and concentrated on what he was saying.

‘It’s worked out so far. It’s brought trade in but without making the village a tourist trap where locals can’t afford to live any more.’