“You say that now,” she cut in, “but what happens in a few years when you wish I was more polished and poised? Or could host better parties? Or impress your friends?”
“That doesn’t matter,” he growled. “It’s all shallow.”
“The dowry does matter,” Torin insisted.
“I will never have a dowry.” Just like she would never have anything else Kiernan needed.
“I’ll find you one.” Torin pushed his spectacles up and met Kiernan’s gaze. “If I give you a dowry, will you marry Alannah?”
“I want to marry her without one.”
“But I don’t want to marry you.” Alannah couldn’t stop from lifting her chin and turning her glare upon Kiernan. “I refuse to consider it.”
“Alannah,” Torin scolded. “He cares about you.”
“I kissed her,” Kiernan blurted.
The world went silent except for the rain pattering on the pavilion roof.
“Today. Before you and Bellamy arrived.” Kiernan pulled back his shoulders and seemed to brace himself for another attack from Torin.
Bellamy scrubbed a hand over his mouth and ducked his head. Was he smiling?
Alannah gave a huff of frustration. This was no smiling matter, not when Torin would now kill Kiernan for certain this time.
But Torin didn’t move, not even to stiffen. Instead, he nodded, as if the matter were settled. “Aye, then you’ll be marrying her. I won’t have it any other way.”
Kiernan expelled a taut breath, almost as if he was relieved.
What had just happened? Had Kiernan used their kiss to gain Torin’s support for the match?
Alannah huffed again. “I’ll be the one deciding this, Torin. Not you.”
Torin didn’t bother to look at her, was instead focused on Kiernan. “I vow I’ll get a dowry for Alannah. I don’t know when I’ll have it, but I promise I will.”
Kiernan just shook his head. “That’s noble of you. But I don’t need it.”
“’Tis my responsibility, and I’ll do it.” Torin’s face took on a haggard look, one that reminded her of Da during his last days—those turbulent times when he’d been worried and exhausted.
She appreciated that Torin wanted the best for her, but a dread filled her anyway. What would her brother do to get a dowry for her? There was no telling. He wasn’t a criminal. That’s why he’d left the Farrell gang. But if he was desperate enough, she suspected he’d do whatever he had to in orderto get what he needed. He was already in enough trouble, and she didn’t want him to get into any more.
She shrugged out of Kiernan’s coat. “You may as well save yourself the effort. I’m not marrying Kiernan.”
“Please, lass?” Torin’s voice softened. “Please. For me? So that I know you’re safe?”
Should she agree so that she wouldn’t have to be a burden to him any longer? No, then she would only burden Kiernan instead.
She shook her head and started to hand Kiernan his coat.
Kiernan folded his arms, refusing to take the coat, his eyes dark and almost dangerous. “Don’t say no yet. Think about it.”
Time wouldn’t change her mind, but with Torin’s pleading eyes still upon her, she couldn’t make herself say so. Instead, she swallowed the emotion clogging her throat. “I won’t be needing to think long.”
“One week.” The stubbornness was back in Kiernan’s tone. “We’ll go to Liam and Shelia’s engagement party next weekend, and we’ll announce our match there.”
Go to a high society party? She almost scoffed at the notion. She wouldn’t have anything to wear, wouldn’t fit in, would never be accepted.
She would only hurt Kiernan’s reputation all the more.
