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When she opened it, she paused, momentarily thrown.

The reception area felt more like a friend’s living room.

To her right, a large, black leather sofa sat between two large mirrors; it looked just worn enough to promise a long nap, were one to sit on it.

The light-colored Oriental carpet beneath her feet rested upon oak flooring, and on top of that was a modern glass coffee table.

To her left, a beautiful oak receptionist’s desk sat empty, though there was a monitor and keyboard on the gleaming granite surface.

The wall behind it looked as though it were part of an ancient castle; floor-to-ceiling stones rested unevenly against each other, and two torch-like sconces stood as though they’d been there for hundreds of years.

Directly in front of her, an enormous window spanning most of the wall framed the Thames as it snaked across the city.

Ellie was stunned.

“Do you like it?” A woman appeared from a discreet door between the couch and the window. “We had it designed to be both new and antiquated.” She held out her hand. “I’m Emmaline MacWilliam, publicist for Celtic Connections. Please call me Emma.”

Ellie shook her hand, smiling at the Americanism. “Eleanor Carberry. I go by Ellie. And I do like it, very much. It’s so cozy.”

“I agree! It’s wonderful to meet you. Your aunt is already here, and our CEO has stepped out for just a moment. Would you care for something to drink?”

“No, thank you.” Ellie relaxed a little. Emma seemed lovely, though she probably was acting more than anything, considering her profession. But perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad as she imagined.

“Please, come on in.” She led Ellie through the door.

Ellie once again pulled up short. The conference room was even more surprising than the reception area; through the window to her left was the same stunning view of the Thames.

To her right, the wall was covered in an enormous medieval tapestry.

Ellie promised herself a good look before she left the building; it was exceptionally intricate and she was sure she hadn’t seen anything like it before.

The wall in front of her was comprised of the same stones as in the other room, again with sconces set into the wall.

The table, set in the middle of the room on top of another gorgeous Oriental carpet, seated eight, and was the same wood as the reception desk, down to the granite inlaid through the center of the tabletop.

Her aunt rose as Ellie rounded the table to join her. “This office space certainly is something, isn’t it?”

Ellie nodded, her eyes wide. “It certainly is. I wasn’t expecting this.”

“Well, it’s my understanding they’ve sunk a lot of money into this endeavor.”

“We’ve invested quite a bit,” Emma corrected gently, “but only because we believe in our mission, Miss Emsworth. Are you certain I can’t bring you something to drink?”

“No, no. Just bring Mr. O’Rourke back in here so we can get started.”

“Absolutely. We have a couple of people for you to meet,” Emma explained to Ellie. “We have a small staff here, and they’re all dedicated to matching our clients with their best possible partner. I’ll go get everyone. Please excuse me.” She ducked from the room and closed the door behind her.

“I like her,” Winifred declared.

Ellie smiled. “How inconvenient.”

Winnie shrugged. “Just because I disagree with what they’re trying to do here doesn’t mean they’re not nice people. Just misguided. And clearly ignorant of English culture.”

“I don’t have any idea as to what they are and aren’t ignorant of,” Ellie replied with a shrug. The door handle turned. “But I suppose I’m about to find out.”

On his fourth day of searching London, Colin realized the fruitlessness of his endeavor.

He and Reilly had very little information to go on, and that was if Rose was even in London as she had claimed.

They visited so many universities that his head spun, and he was no closer to finding her than he had been the moment the taxi took her away.

“I’ve never before known a man to find and lose his soul mate in one day,” Reilly mused as they reentered the office. He dumped the stack of papers onto the reception desk and turned to face Colin. “Truly, it must be some sort of family record.”

A part of Colin was relieved he hadn’t found her; not only would he have to convince her that he was the one for her, but assuming he did, he had never before thought about how he would explain his frequent absences to a romantic partner.

He couldn’t exactly tell the woman his next business trip was in medieval Ireland.

And, as Reilly had reminded him as the days went by, there was always the strong chance of rejection.

“Now that some time has passed, I wonder if she really was the one for me,” Colin said. “Maybe it was just a really great kiss.”

Reilly leveled a stare at him. “I just spent four days of my life chasing down a really great kisser ?” His eyes narrowed. “Because I love you like a brother, I’m going to kindly pretend that statement didn’t just cross your lips. You’re welcome.”

Colin shrugged. “Let’s be honest here. I spent an entire evening talking with her, she is a beautiful woman, and I haven’t had any female companionship in far too long. I’m man enough to admit when I’ve overreacted.”

Reilly’s phone rang, and Colin was spared a response, but not the look of disdain.

Emma stepped out of the conference room, closing the door behind her, and gave him a wide smile. “I was just coming to get you! She’s here.”

“First impressions?” Colin asked, adjusting his collar as Reilly stepped into the hallway.

“Sweet. Quiet.” Emma gave him a once-over .

He glanced down at himself. His crisp, dark jeans gave just enough of a casual air to offset the business jacket and button-down shirt; Emma claimed it struck a balance between friendly and professional.

“Is the aunt here as well?”

“She is.”

“Try not to make direct eye contact, else you might turn to stone.”

Emma giggled. “Colin! She’s not Medusa!”

He shrugged, his mood already soured. “Spend some more time with her.”

“Oh, Col. Think of her as a sweet old woman with a bone to pick. You just leave her to me and deal with Miss Carberry directly.”

Reilly ended his call. “That was one of the professors we met yesterday. He said he’ll be teaching a class at the University of London next year. I asked if we might get an inside look at their program tomorrow, and you can scope out the facilities, see if she’s there.”

“Who’s there?” Emma inquired.

“No one,” Colin intoned. “Reilly, just let it go.”

Emma’s gaze sharpened, a contemplative look settling over her features. “This sounds interesting.”

“It’s not,” Colin replied blandly, leading them toward the conference room.

Reilly snorted. “You’re a fool if you stop looking. It’s not as though the Fates would drop her into your lap again.”

They pushed open the doors to the conference room, and Colin stopped so fast, Reilly almost slammed into his back.

“Damn it,” he breathed, his heart leaping into his throat.

“What?” Reilly glanced at him, then over at the two women sitting at the large table. There, sitting next to an older, well-dressed woman, was a much younger one with honey-colored eyes. Reilly let out a half laugh. “Oh. Oh, no.”

A feeling of intense longing, followed by shock, swept over him. The woman he’d been searching for sat at the table nervously, fidgeting with her fingers as she replied in a low tone to something her aunt had said to her.

Her aunt.

Colin knew instantly, and without any doubt, that the woman suddenly staring at him as though she were seeing a ghost was indeed his soul mate.

And he also knew, in that same instant, that he could never admit it aloud; he could never have her without giving up everything else.

He let out a hollow chuckle; the Fates had played their cards well, and he was left with no choice but to fold, one way or another.

“Well. My day became much more enjoyable,” Reilly declared, and straightened his tie. “Miss Carberry, I believe?”

Ellie couldn’t breathe. For one horribly long moment, she wondered if she was destined to die this way, staring into the stormy eyes of Apollo, unable to formulate words or coherent thought.

Actually, her thoughts were pretty coherent.

Which made her think that perhaps she wasn’t as close to death as she first assumed, although maybe she would die of humiliation, for at least a full minute had passed and not one of them had done anything but stare at the other.

Should I try to cover up the moment? she wondered, panicked.

Or will I muck that up? Oh, God, please, open this ground and let it swallow me whole…

Unfortunately for her, sinkholes in Britain had been scarce of late. Luckily, the man standing directly behind Apollo ( call him Colin, she admonished herself) stepped forward with his hand extended.

“Reilly O’Malley. Pleased to meet you, Miss Emsworth. Miss Carberry. ”

“Oh,” Winnie exclaimed as he kissed her hand. “You’re Irish! Are you on the match list?”

“Winnie!” Ellie exclaimed, shocked out of her surprise.

“No, he is not on the list, as I haven’t received any direction from Miss Carberry as to what she’s looking for in a life partner,” Colin cut in, stepping forward briskly.

He gave Ellie his best smile and added smoothly, “Miss Carberry, I’m Colin O’Rourke, president and CEO of Celtic Connections.

It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand.

She managed what she hoped passed for a smile, as real words were beyond her, and shook his hand. “I’m, uh…I’m…”

“Eleanor Carberry?” Colin supplied.

“Er, yes,” she managed to reply. “That.”

His hand remained suspended, patiently waiting for her to take it. She gazed at it for another second, terrified that if she touched him, everyone in the room would see the spark that she swore had flown when he’d kissed her.