“No, I’m afraid not.” Cora touched her head as if to tame the color into submission.
Mr. Miller laughed and clung to her like she were his life raft in a sea storm. “Embrace your uniqueness. It’s bold, the way I remember your entire family.” He leaned back and studied her like Michelangelo would analyze a subject. “From what I heard, you ladies were the most sought-after women in the south. You were betrothed, correct?”
Sought after? Ed had to admit he saw the appeal of Cora, but if she was so infamous, then why wasn’t she married?
“Yes. I’m afraid my fiancé was murdered by Union soldiers at a train station near my home, along with my brother.”
Ed didn’t want to marry the woman, but he hated seeing the sadness blanket her joy.
“Benjamin?” Mr. Miller took her hand between his. Ed’s chest burned at the sight. “He was a good boy last I saw him. I am so sorry for your loss.”
Cora lifted her chin. “We all have our troubles in life. Today is a new day, and I intend on making the best of it.”
How was this small, red-haired Irish woman so brave and happy after so much loss?
“You’re as beautiful inside as you are out. I have such fond memories. That event at your home was one to remember. Will you be hosting ones like it here?”
Ed cleared his throat, demanding them to notice him. “We haven’t—”
“Had time to plan one yet, but how would you like me to host a gathering a week from Saturday?” Cora announced, as if she’d be staying the rest of her life instead of a few days until Ed could figure out how to unravel himself from the situation.
“That soon?” He patted her hands. “Your fiancé is one lucky man.”
“I hope he feels the same.” Cora blushed and fanned herself like he’d expect a southern belle to do. To his shock, it drew Mr. Miller in even more.
Ed needed to end this farce now. He’d escort Mr. Miller to his office and explain the calamity that had befallen him this day. “Mr. Miller has many engagements—”
“I wouldn’t miss a McKinnie party for anything else. I know this meeting you called me here for was because you were going to ask me to invest in your next venture. I'll admit I wasn't interested in taking this meeting, but with Miss McKinnie on your team, I'm reconsidering. Is she on your team? I mean, Grous already caught me on the way here and told me there’d been some sort of mix-up.”
“A sudden surprise is all. As you said, Miss McKinnie is breathtaking. It was love at first sight. Grous made a proposal to her on the docks when she arrived, but she chose to marry me.” Ed wanted to shut his mouth, to stop talking, but the words flew out of him like air. He’d always let Grous stir him into action before he thought things through.
Cora looked up at Ed with a wide-eyed gaze, but to her credit, she plastered on a loving gaze before Mr. Miller even turned to her.
“Ed is one lucky man. Do you feel the same?”
Ed held his breath and hated himself for putting his future in the hands of this Irish woman he couldn’t wait to escape.
“I do,” she said in a wanting tone.
“Excellent. As a former visitor and admirer of the McKinnie house, I feel I should look out for you. Ed, where will you be providing her housing until you marry?”
No way he’d expose Miss McKinnie to Grous and his interrogations. The man would stop at nothing to expose Ed’s lies. There was no choice but to keep her in his home under his protection. “All the hotels are full, sir, but no worries. We wish to marry as soon as possible. I’ll assign Grace to remain at her side as a chaperone. We’ll never be alone in the house. I would never behave in any way less than a gentleman.”
He’d just dug himself deeper into the grave of lies, but he had to buy time to think.
Mr. Miller looked at him for several long seconds then returned to Cora as if he accepted Ed’s plan. “The deal Ed was going to propose to me, I’d planned to refuse. Too many rumors circulating about his dealings at the moment.”
“Lies from Grous. He’s been upset with me since my shipping company became a major competitor to his.” Ed’s stomach rolled and roiled. He scrambled for a way to salvage this meeting. “Come to my office. I have your favorite whiskey waiting.”
Mr. Miller shot a sideways glance to Cora. “At this hour? No, it wouldn’t be proper. However, with this woman as your wife, and since Grous has shown no proof of any issues at this time, I’ll invest in your next venture, and I’ll bring every prominent businessman and politician to that party if for no other reason than to introduce them to a real McKinnie.” He stood and bowed, and she curtsied like the ball had already begun.
Ed wanted to blurt that this woman wasn’t his betrothed and that he’d be getting her out of his home as soon as possible, but all he managed to say was: “I look forward to seeing you a week from Saturday.”
ChapterThree
The ornate homewith wood carvings, plush furniture, and tall ceilings stood lavish and stuffy. Cora removed her gloves and peered through the front window to see a breathtaking view of the world below. She watched Mr. Miller walk down the front steps to the wooden walkway beyond the fence and climb into his carriage.
Ed stood on the last step like a tall statue. A handsome man with dark hair and dark eyes that, when he looked at her, she swore could see beyond her surface. But was he a man she could spend the rest of her life with? She didn’t know him. The world moved so fast around her here compared to the standstill of her existence the last few years back home.
