“If you don’t tell me, then I’ll have to come in the dining room and make you.” He kept his tone light, hoping she would know he was teasing but persisting nonetheless.
“Ach.” A thudding came against the door, as if she was lightly banging her head on it. “If you must know, I think you deserve someone better than her, so I do.”
“Is that right? Like who?”
“A woman who doesn’t toy with your affections but is instead loyal and committed and sees all the wonderful things about you and wants you for who you are.” Her words came out in a rush.
Her declaration warmed his heart, and he savored it for a few moments.
“Are you still there?” she asked timidly.
“Aye.” Something about Alannah Darragh was delightfuland brought him to life in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever. “Wonderful things?”
She gave a huff and pushed against the door. “Go away with you now, Kiernan, and leave me be.”
He laughed softly, his muscles relaxing after the past two days of tension from not being with her. “I’ll go away, but only if you promise to meet me at our spot tonight.”
“I don’t know.” Her tone seemed to hold a smile. “I don’t want to be interfering with your match.”
“Interfering?” He guffawed. “It’s too late for that, don’t you think? You told Shelia I was matched. By tomorrow the word will be all over St. Louis that I’ve picked someone to marry.”
At his statement, the dining room door swung wide, and Alannah in all her beauty stood before him. Even in her simple black maid’s attire covered with a white apron, she was more than beautiful. She was breathtaking, and he could do nothing but stare at her exquisite features, drinking her in like a water-deprived man.
Her eyes were round and filled with dismay, her delicate brows furrowed, and her lips pursed in consternation. “Oh, Kiernan.” She almost reached for his arm but then seemed to stop herself. “’Tis my fault, to be sure. I blathered when I shouldn’t have. I just didn’t want her holding on to you and keeping you from having happiness of your own.”
Had Shelia been holding on to him?
She certainly had been paying him more attention over recent weeks since they’d all moved out of the city. She was the type of woman who liked attention, and maybe she felt better about herself in trying to command his affection.
Truthfully, he hadn’t felt an ounce of affection for her today, hadn’t felt affection in a while. In fact, he felt nothing for her other than irritation.
“Can you ever forgive me?” Alannah asked.
“I’m not worried about it.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching for her hand and comforting her. His comfort wouldn’t remain platonic for long. After all, he didn’t claim to be a saint, not around someone like Alannah.
“But what will we do? Everyone will think you’re engaged.”
“Wewon’t be doing anything.” He spoke gently but firmly. “Because it’s not your problem, Alannah.”
“But I’m the one who got you into the predicament, and I should be the one to help you out.”
“I’m due for a visit to Bellamy. I’m sure he’ll know what to do.” Kiernan knew exactly what Bellamy would say. To burn the list of qualifications.
Was it time to admit Bellamy had won their wager and to let him do his job the way he wanted to?
Alannah was still watching him, her brows crinkled with worry and her nose scrunched in that adorable way.
Although his body suddenly ached to feel her, he forced himself to take a step away from her instead of toward her. “Don’t worry about it any more today.”
“You’ll be letting me worry tomorrow, then?” A small smile played at her lips—with that lovely dip that taunted him with the need to be kissed.
He moved another foot back. “Do you want me to forgive you for the mix-up?”
“Oh aye—”
“I’ll forgive you, but only if we can meet again tonightone last time.” This would be it. It had to be. For both their sakes. Because there could never be anything more between them. Could there?
His heart gave a strange flip at the thought.
