He paused. “You don’t like ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’?” he asked, peering down at her.

She stewed under his piercing gaze. Yes, she was at a clear disadvantage. There was no way that she could out-talk this man. Antonia also felt foolish standing out there in the cold fog wearing the sleep clothes she’d managed to change into in the middle of the night. She hadn’t even washed her face before marching over to Dr. Aiden Byrnes’s cottage. She probably looked a frightful mess, with hair sticking out in every direction and tired raccoon eyes.

“I love a brown-eyed girl,” he said punctuating each word. His eyes traveled over her body before returning to her face.

His roundabout chatter confused her. “Yes, it’s a great song,” she said, brushing off his comment. “But I came by to tell the doddering old professor to turn his music down. I’m trying to sleep.”

Aiden nodded. “Why didn’t you just say so?” He disappeared from the doorway. Soon, the quiet enveloped them. With the music off, she could hear herself think. A low moo from the pastures behind them wafted through the fog. “Have you had breakfast?” he called from inside.

Antonia edged closer to his doorway. Was he inviting her into his home? Offering her more of his food? “No...”

He appeared at the front door with a furrow in his dark brow. “Oh, that won’t do. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that breakfast was the most important meal of the day?”

Antonia rolled her eyes as she took a step back. “I didn’t exactly have time to think about that when I was awoken at the crack of dawn.”

“It’s ten o’clock.”

“I’m jet-lagged.”

“Then it’s best to stay on a schedule.”

“I was told to enjoy Ireland on my schedule,” she said. “That’s the whole point of traveling solo, isn’t it?”

One black brow arched. “You got me there. So no breakfast for you? I’ve got eggs.”

Antonia didn’t have eggs. The scent of cooked butter from his kitchen made her stomach growl in protest. “I can eat later.”

“Why eat later if you can eat now?” His voice was low and conspiratorial, as if they shared this secret. “Life’s too short to delay pleasure.”

His tone was seemingly innocent. However, the way he rested languidly against his doorframe, muscles taut and ready to spring, she didn’t know if she should chance it. Although, it was only breakfast. She’d eat quickly and return to her cottage to clean herself up. “Fine.”

“Good,” Aiden said, stepping aside so she could enter. “Go ahead and take a seat at the table.”

She did as she was told and found a seat facing the kitchen. He’s just being a nice guy. Antonia kept thinking this regardless of how beautiful his body was. He emerged from the kitchen with a plate of eggs and two pieces of toast. He set it on the table and took his own chair opposite of her. “You’re not going to have any?”