Her Irish Surrender (4 page)

“She’s here at y
our father’s and my request, and she’ll start immediately.”

  He stared at Adaline, his jaw slack, and looked her up and down a
second time. “We don’t need any extra help.”

“Extra help?” Adaline whispered.

Finn entered the store toting her trunk on his shoulder, as two other men carried the rest of her belongings. Lorcan took one look at him, snorted, and turned back to his mother. “What are you doing? Moving the lass in?”

“Of course,” she answered without blinking an eye
, then looked at her husband. “Mr. Brody, now would be a good time to explain to the lad what we’re about.”

Mr. Brody reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pipe. “Aye, that I will Mrs. Brody, but I still
don’t think he’s ready for this.”

Lorcan’s eyes narrowed. “Ready for what?”

“Ahem,” Reverend Franklin interjected. “Pardon me, Mrs. Brody, but where would you like me t
o stand? I’ve got a funeral in half an hour.”

“Funeral!” Finn exclaimed and slapped his forehead!  “Merciful Heavens! I forgot about Mr. Johnson!” He tossed the trunk down and ran for the door then stopped up short. “What a minute,” he said and turned. “What might ye doing here, Reverend? No one’s sick or dead.”

“No,” Reverend Franklin agreed. “I’m not here for either of those things. I’m here to marry Lorcan.”

“What?” Lorcan and Finn exclaimed in unison.
  Finn looked to Mr. Brody with a huge grin.

Mr. Brody started to light
his pipe. “Looks like I don’t have to be the one to explain things after all,” he said between puffs.

Adaline took a step back. “What do you mean, explain things?”

“Now don’t you worry, dearie,” Mrs. Brody told her. “We’ll get this all straightened out.”

  “Get what straightened out?” Lorcan demanded. “
Maither
, what have ye done?”

Adaline was quick to notice his Irish brogue got thicker with his rising anger. His voice was deep yet held a velvety softness to it, his accent intriguing.  She took another look at him and despite his obvious bumps and bruises, could se
e he was an extremely handsome man. One eyebrow rose in admiration …

“It’s for your own good!” Mrs. Brody shouted up at him. “Ye mope around the shop all day, ye fight at night! Don’t be acting the maggot, lad. Why else would Reverend Franklin be here?”

Lorcan’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve got to be joking! Is that what I think it is?” he asked and pointed at Adaline again.

Adaline’s brow furrowed. “I am not an objec
t, I am your mail order bride, and I’d appreciate it if you would stop talking about me as if I were … just another book in your shop.”

Everyone looked at her. Finn whi
stled, then laughed. “Well, what a surprise, it’s true!  A mail order bride ye say?” He tossed a quick look at Lorcan. “Why you’re a lucky fish to be fed such a fair morsel.” He looked Adaline up and down and cocked his head to one side in scrutiny. “If ye don’t want her, I’ll take her off yer hands.”

Adaline gasped in shock. “Mrs. Brody, I’m sorry, but I will not be treated like a … a piece of horseflesh.”

“That’s no piece of horseflesh,” one of Finn’s friends said as he elbowed another in the ribs.  They burst into laughter.

  “Get up the yard, the lot of ya!” Mrs. Brody shouted, her brogue as thick as ever.  Adaline made a quick mental note of it and moved out of the way as the fiery woman grabbed a feather duster off a nearby counter and began to wave it about like a whip. “And I don’t want to see ye back here again unless it’s to buy something!”

They scrambled out the door to leave Finn to fend for himself. He stood as still as a mouse as she stomped past him to her son. “And you! You’re going to get married and that’s final!”

Reverend Franklin took out his pocket watch. “Mrs. Brody, twenty minutes …”

Mr. Brody chuckled and planted himself on a stool near the counter.  He caught Adaline’s eye and gave her a wink as he puffed away on his pipe.  She wanted to be angry, but the kindly man’s eyes stopped her.  She looked at the Reverend instead. “Perhaps you’ve wasted your time being here, sir. I do not think there will be any sort of wedding today.”  She turned on her heel, went for her trunk, and did her best to lift it.  “If one of you gentlemen would tell me where the nearest hotel is …”

“
The City Hotel is down the street,” Lorcan volunteered.

“
Lor! How can ye tell her that?” his mother admonished.

“Because she asked.”

Mrs. Brody rolled her eyes. “Don’t go, Miss Dermont. I’ll see he’s set right.”

Adaline shook her head. “No, Mrs. Brody, it is quite clear he doesn’t want to marry me. It is also clear he had no idea I …” the thought made her cringe. “I was coming.”

“Mr. Brody!  Do something!”

“I told ye earlier, did I not Mrs. Brody, that the lad
wasn’t ready for this.”

She spun back to her son. “I say he’s been ready for sometime now, he just can’t admit it because he doesn’t want to leave us to fend for ourselves.”

Lorcan stiffened.

“Ha, ye see!” Mrs. Brody said and pointed at him. “I’m right
!” She closed the distance between herself and Lorcan. “Don’t ye think its time to settle down, son?  Look at her, she’s beautiful! Any man would be proud to have such a fine lass on his arm.”

Lorcan did look at her, with renewed interest no less, and still he turned and stomped to the back of the store.

“Well, that takes care of that.” Adaline said softly. “I’ll be going then, and will contact you in the morning to make arrangements …” Adaline fought against tears. “I’ll contact you in the morning.”

With that Lorcan came back to the front of the store, and in one swift move, picked up her trunk. “I’ll see you to the hotel.”

“Lorcan!” his mother cried.

“It’s the least I can do, I’m sorry for my mother’s behavior and ill-planning.”

Adaline stared up at him and saw the regret and embarrassment in his face. “So am I,” she said in a whisper.  She bent down, picked up her satchel and sewing basket, and did her best not to cry.

Three

“Finn,” Lorcan barked. “Help the lady.”

Finn nodded, his earlier grin diminished, and took the satchel and
basket from her, then grabbed one last bag. She clutched her reticule and stiffened.

“Lorcan …
” his mother began, her voice laced with waring.

“Enough, this is how it’s going to be. I’ll be dealing with you when I return.” He looked down at Adaline and
with his free hand, gave her a gentle shove in the small of her back.

She let go a small gasp
, and started to move. A chill went up her spine at the contact, and again, fought against unshed tears. What was she going to do now? She had very little money to work with, and felt like a complete idiot.

“I’m very sorry,” a deep voice rumbled behind her as they walked out of the shop. “I had no idea …”

“You’ve already apologized, it’s not hard to see what happened. You didn’t know I was coming, and want nothing to do with me. Please, don’t make this any harder than it already is.” She stopped on the boardwalk. “Which way?”

“Go right,” he directed.

She turned and took off at a fast pace.

“I’m Finn
Mullany,” the other man told her. “My family owns the Mullany Funeral Parlor. If I’m not being too forward, you could stay with us.”

“Finn!” Lorcan barked
again. “Don’t be absurd.”

“At least he had
the courtesy to offer me accommodations, Mr. Brody.” Adaline said as she walked along.  She couldn’t help but get in a jab, if only to keep from feeling so humiliated.

“It wouldn’t be proper for you to stay with me, Miss … ah …”

“Dermont,” she finished for him.

“Dermont, let alone stay with Finn’s family.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Finn commented as he trailed along behind them.

Lorcan turned and glared at him. Finn crossed his eyes in response. Lorca
n shook his head, then turned to face the tantalizing back of the woman in front of him.  What had given his mother and father the notion of sending away for a mail order bride?  True, she was pretty, beautiful in fact.  Her golden curls and big brown eyes were set against the creamiest skin he’d ever seen.  She’d probably never done a hard days work in her life, and he wondered how well she would fare this far west.  He took in the fabric of her traveling cloak, and what he could see of her dress. Both were of high quality. It was then he realized his mother had found him a true lady. 

Lorcan gulped as he walked behind her, even her gait was refined and poised, not stilted or off step.  He recalled the way she spoke and looked her up and down again.  What was he thin
king?  Maybe he ought to reconsider this whole thing. Yet, before he gave himself the chance, he said, “Turn in here.”

“What is this place?” she asked.

  “Upton’s Boarding House,” Lorcan told her. “It will be better than staying at the hotel. Closer to the book shop, too.”

She suddenly turned to face him. “I would think you’d want me
as far away as possible.” She spun on her heel and went up the stairs to the front porch of the large house. She shouldn’t have said it, her being a lady and all, but probably couldn’t help herself.

Lorcan closed his eyes in resignation, and followed her.  They entered, and a petite woman with white hair greeted them. “Why hello there, are you looking for a room?”

“Yes,” said Adaline. “I do have to ask, how much do you charge?”

“Oh, now let me see,” the woman said as she quirked her brow. “I think Mrs. Brown is charging forty five cents a night.”

“You’re not the proprietor?” Adaline asked.

“Heaven’s no, I’m a … well a guest you might say.”

“Don’t be so modest, Polly,” another woman said as she came into the home’s foyer. “She’s too humble for her own good sometimes. I’m Mrs. Brown, and this is Mrs. Van Cleet. She owns the house, I just manage it.”

Adaline nodded in understanding. “How do you do? I’m Adaline Dermont and I’d like a room please.”

“If ye be owning the place, why are you a guest here?” Finn asked.

“Finn …” Lorcan growled.

“It’s a logical question,” Finn countered.

“My husband and I are wintering here. “We’re from Clear Creek. We came to visit family and friends, and well, ended up staying longer than we expected. We’re getting too old to make the journey back to Clear Creek at this time of year.”

“No explanations are necessary,” Lorcan told her. “Mrs. Brown, I’ll be taking care of the lady’s accommodations.”

She lo
oked him over. “Lorcan Brody, what have you been up to? The usual I suppose, just look at your face! Give your mother my best will you?”

“I’ll do that. Now, about that room for the lady?”

Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Van Cleet both looked at Adaline. “Are you visiting family?” Mrs. Brown asked with a smile.

“Miss
Dermont’s business here is her own,” Lorcan said before Adaline could so much as take a breath.  So, he was embarrassed by the situation and didn’t want to tell them.  She fought the urge to roll her eyes and instead forced a smile.

“Yes, of course …
it is.” Mrs. Brown said as she went behind a nearby counter. “Room number five is available.” She turned, took a key hanging alongside several others from a board behind her, and handed it to Adaline. “Top of the stairs, third door on the right.  Breakfast and dinner are provided, you’ll see to your own lunch.”

“Thank you,” Adaline said.  Finn had already started for the stairs and sh
e hesitated a moment before she realized Lorcan waited for her to precede him.  She did, stiffly at first, then with vigor in her step.  Her anger had finally arrived. Oh, it slipped out a time or two already, but now it would be hard for her to hold her tongue. The whole situation was infuriating and embarrassing, but worse, was she had so little control over it.  How was she to know the man had no idea she was coming?  Why hadn’t his parents told him? He acted as if this was her fault. Well it wasn’t!  Of course, neither was it his.

She unlocked the door and entered.  The ro
om was bright, cheery and as it was on the south side of the house, would get the most sun.  Pretty wallpaper made up of tiny roses covered not only the walls, but the angled ceiling, and the beautiful quilts and fluffy pillows on the bed were a welcome sight.  She could use a hot bath and the bed right this minute, but knew she’d only get one out of the two. Baths usually cost extra. The room also had a chair, small writing desk, dresser and a fireplace.

“Doesn’t this look cozy? Would you be wanting anything else?” Finn asked her.

She smiled. “No, thank you Mr. Mullany, you’ve been most kind.”

Lorcan entered and set down her trunk. “I’ll see what I can do about your return trip. Again, I’m very sorry my parents acted so irrationally.”

She had her back to him, so shut her eyes tight against her tears. “They didn’t appear irrational to me, Mr. Brody.” She opened her eyes and turned to face him. “If you ask me, they acted out of love and had your best interest in mind.”

He swallowed hard as he looked down at her. “Good afternoon, Miss Dermont.” He turned on his heel and left. Finn watched him go, then said, “Don’t be too hard on him, Miss. He honestly didn’t know you were coming. B
ut … if ye could see it in yer heart to stay … well, Lor has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Our two families came out west together ye see, and I just think …”

“Finn! Are you coming?” Lorcan shouted from down the hall.

They listened as he stomped down the stairs. Finn sighed. “He’s as stubborn as any ox, but if ye give it a little time, I think he could get used to the idea of marrying.”

“Kind words, Mr.
Mullany. I’ll take them into consideration.”

He nodded, smiled, and left. Adaline closed the door behind him, turned and le
aned against it. She let go a heart-felt sigh before she went to the bed and took off her coat. Adaline then pulled a lace handkerchief out of her reticule, and at last, allowed herself to cry.

* * *

“You thick-headed mule!  She’s beautiful!” Finn argued as they made their way back to the bookshop. “What are you thinking sending her back?”

Lorcan stopped and spun to face him.
Finn ran right into him, hit Lorcan’s chest, and bounced back a step. “Why is it everyone is suddenly so interested in my love life?  A moment ago you were ready to take her home and marry her yourself!”

“True enough, but she didn’t come all the way out here to marry me. She came out here to marry you!”

Lorcan began walking again. “I’m perfectly capable of finding my own wife.”

“And when would you be doing that?  You and I
both know there’s no such thing as “choice” around here!  The women are either too old or too young, with nary a lass in between!  Me own mother has talked about a mail order bride, asked me what I thought about getting one only last week.”

Lor
can stopped again. Finn rammed into his back this time.  “And?  What did you tell her?” Finn said nothing so Lorcan turned to face him.  When he did, the man’s mouth hung open. “Well?”

“I … I told her I
’m perfectly capable of … finding my own wife …”

“Uh huh, just as I thought.” Lorcan continued on his way.

“But now that yours is here, why not take advantage of it?” Finn called after him. Lorcan ignored him and walked on.  “If you’re not interested, then what say I have a go at her?”

Lorcan stopped.

Finn smiled to himself.

“Don’t even
think about it,” Lorcan said without turning around.

“And why not? You’re not interested, and s
he’s already here. Would save me mother the trouble of sending away for one.”

Lorcan spun to face him. “Fine, do what you like. I don’t care.” He turned and started off again.

Finn stood and chuckled to himself. “Why Lorcan Brody, ye do care.” He watched as his friend went into the bookshop and slammed the door behind him. Finn laughed then shouted at the door, “I give ye two weeks at the most, before love has its way with ye!”  He laughed again and started off, when he suddenly stopped short. “What am I saying? He’ll stop fighting with a lass on his heart.” He turned to look at the bookshop’s door and rubbed his chin. “This is a predicament. Hmmm, well Lorcan me boy, we’ll see where yer luck takes ye.”  With that, Finn continued on his way.

* * *

A knock sounded at her door. Adaline had long since cried herself out, and sat at the small writing desk. “Miss Dermont,” Mrs. Brown called. “I have your dinner downstairs. Wont’ you come join us?”

“I
be right down,” Adaline called through the door.  She hadn’t the strength to get up and open it.  She was beyond tired, and tried to sleep after her tears, but her mind would give her no quarter.  Instead, she lay on the bed, stared at the ceiling, and went over and over her current dilemma.

She was alone out west without a husband, had very little money, and didn’t want to go back to New Orleans.  After all, there w
as nothing there for her now that Aunt Priscilla was gone.  She had a few friends, but in the time it would take to write them, tell them about her trouble, wait for a response and make the journey, she could have worked off the money the Brodys spent to bring her out west in the first place.

Adaline froze,
then popped up to a sitting position. “That’s it!” She swung her legs off the bed. “I don’t have to go back.”  No, she didn’t. She recalled thinking the same thing as her mind raced over her situation earlier at the bookshop.  She could find work, stay, and make a new life for herself.  What was she doing moping about all afternoon?  She had come out west to a land of opportunity!

She stood and checked her appearance in a mirror hanging over the dresser.  “I can do th
is, I can!” She’d march downstairs and ask Mrs. Brown if she knew anyone that might be hiring.  She sighed in relief, smoothed the skirt of her traveling dress, and went to the door.  She should have changed, but didn’t care.  This was not New Orleans, and supposed the other people in the boarding house wouldn’t care either.  She brushed the loose curls out of her face, and went downstairs.

Adaline entered the dining parlor to find it filled with Mrs. Brown’s other boarders.  There were two elderly gentlemen, Mrs. Van Cleet, two middle-aged women and Mrs. Brown herself, who motioned her to have a seat at the table. “May I present Miss Dermont, everyone?”

“Hello again,” Mrs. Van Cleet offered as one of the elderly gentlemen held her chair out for her.

“Hello,” Adaline said and sat.

Once
seated, Mrs. Brown began the introductions. “Mrs. Van Cleet you’ve already met, and the handsome gentleman next to her is of course Mr. Van Cleet. Then we have Mrs. O’Halloran, Mrs. Dexter, and Mr. Dixon.  Everyone greeted her in turn, and she smiled at each.  Mrs. Brown then said the blessing, and the meal began.