“Ach, I wish I could tell you, Kiernan.” Bellamy’s voice lacked sincerity. “But I cannot be saying so, not until I work on getting the groom ready a wee bit more.”
“So he’s not in agreement?”
“He will be soon enough.”
“If you have to push him, maybe he’s not the right man.”
“As Oscar always says, it’s the job of the matchmaker to help people see the road less traveled because too often they have their sights stuck on the predictable route.”
Kiernan frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Sometimes a person needs a nudge toward a choice they might not normally consider.”
“So you’re nudging Alannah?”
“Oh aye. And her groom.”
Kiernan wasn’t sure he liked the sound of Bellamy’s plan for Alannah. But there was no sense getting riled up about it. He would talk with Torin tomorrow and tell him to call off the matchmaking. Then no one would be pushing Alannah for good, bad, or otherwise.
Kiernan returned to his chair and lowered himself. “Listen, Bellamy. Instead of focusing on Alannah, focus on me instead. I’ve been waiting for my turn to have a match even before you found matches for Finola and Enya.”
“Aye, so you have.” Bellamy spoke with such certainty Kiernan could almost believe the fellow knew how hurt he’d been when Shelia had chosen Liam. Maybe everyone did. Not that Kiernan had made any claims on Shelia before that Europe trip. Not that they’d even promised each other a future together. After all, she’d been too young at the time. But he had assumed they both wanted to be together and that they would wait for each other. He’d waited.
He slipped a hand into his pocket and pulled out a sheet. “Here are twelve qualities I’m looking for in a wife.” He’d come up with the list earlier in the day and had added a couple more qualifications to it when he’d arrived home. He’d been doing so when Mam had cornered him in the library and chastised him for meeting with the matchmaker without Da.
Da was back and forth between Oakland and their home in the city, and Kiernan had been spending every spare moment at the brickyard. With as busy as they both were, they hadn’t seen each other much lately. Surely Da would understand the need to move forward with the matchmaking without his involvement.
Bellamy didn’t even glance at the outstretched sheet. Instead, he stood, picked up his flatcap, and placed it on his head. “If you have that kind of list, then you won’t be needing my help.”
“I’d like you to set up appointments over the next couple of weeks, arrange meetings with each of the eligible women.”
“Would you now? I suppose you’d also like me to parade them in front of you?”
Kiernan ignored the sarcasm and extended the sheet farther. The list would narrow down the candidates, allowing Bellamy to find the most advantageous match. “Use it.”
“You use it.” Bellamy started toward the door. “I’m sure you already know a dozen women who meet the standards on your list.”
“A few. Not a dozen.”
Bellamy just shook his head.
As the matchmaker reached the door, Kiernan stood. “Wait, Bellamy.”
Hand on the knob, Bellamy halted.
“I’d like to have some input in the matter. That’s all.”
Bellamy expelled an exasperated breath. Then he turned and nodded at the list. “Input, aye. But that list is your attempt to do my job.”
“Your job is to find the kind of woman I’m looking for. The list will help.”
“My job is to decide on the kind of woman you need. Your list won’t do that.”
Kiernan swallowed his rising irritation. This meeting with the matchmaker wasn’t going the way he’d anticipated. Maybe he ought to talk to Oscar instead. No, Oscar would probably grab the list, rip it to shreds, then laugh in his face.
“All right.” Kiernan kept his voice level. “I see your point.”
Bellamy crossed his arms and leaned back against the door.
