He slipped a hand into his pocket, pulled out his watch, and flipped open the cover. It was half past seven. The party was already underway at the Douglas estate.
Liam had told him that he’d been instructed where, when, and how to propose to Shelia, which took some of the enjoyment out of the occasion. But Liam, as always, was a good sport. No doubt he’d do the deed with his usual finesse and charm, earning Shelia and her family’s approval and entertaining all the guests.
If Zaira didn’t return soon, they would have to leave for the party without her or miss Liam’s special moment altogether.
Kiernan slid a glance toward the shade of the veranda where his parents were sitting, Da smoking a cigar and Mam working on her needlepoint, both attired in their fine evening wear. They didn’t seem bothered that Zaira waslate. Madigan and Quinlan didn’t seem impatient to go either and were playing an improvised game of cricket in the backyard.
Something didn’t feel quite right.
He straightened and stuffed his watch away. Then he crossed to the front steps.
“Going somewhere?” Da asked.
“To the city to find Zaira.” He couldn’t wait another minute without knowing how Alannah had responded to his list. He’d ride in and find Zaira. If she was positive about Alannah’s reaction, then he’d go directly to her and propose. This time the right way.
“She’ll be here in a wee minute.” Da set his cigar down in his ashtray.
“Something must have happened.”
“You know Zaira,” Mam said a little too casually. “She’s always such a good girl and will be back shortly.”
Kiernan turned to face his parents. “What’s going on?”
Mam continued to poke her needle through the fabric without giving him a glance, and his da twisted his cigar.
“It’s Alannah.” His muscles tensed. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Everything’s fine.” Da’s tone was placating.
Kiernan could only stare at them—Da in his finest tailcoat and top hat and Mam looking so grand, almost regal, in her evening gown. They’d made a life for themselves with wealth and prestige and power. For so long, he’d thought that’s what he wanted too—to follow in Da’s footsteps and do even better.
But in comparison with having the woman he loved, nothing else mattered anymore. Even if he wasn’t able to talk toZaira first, he had to go to Alannah and try one more time to win her over.
He shook his head curtly and started down the steps. “Go to the party without me. I’m riding into town.” He couldn’t worry about hurting Liam. In fact, Liam probably wouldn’t notice his absence, at least not until hours had passed.
“Wait, Kiernan.” Da rose now too.
“I have to go.”
“I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you.”
Da’s words halted Kiernan. Proud? Of him? “After the destruction of one business and having to sell the other? I’m a failure.”
Da waved a dismissive hand. “So you’ve had a couple of setbacks. You’ll recover.”
Kiernan wasn’t so sure about that, but he reined in the comment.
“I don’t tell you enough,” Da continued. “But I’m proud of the young man you’re becoming, so I am. You defended the people working for you. You’re standing up against the wrongs. And you’re pursuing the woman you love. There’s nothing more admirable than that.”
The unexpected praise brought a sudden lump to Kiernan’s throat. His da was sparing with praise, so to have his affirmation in the face of so many challenges softened the blow of losing so much lately.
“Thank you, Da,” Kiernan managed through a tight throat.
At the faint jangling and rattling of a carriage, Da squinted in the distance. “Ach, there she is now.”
At the bottom of the steps, Kiernan held himself back as the carriage came into view and then turned and rolleddown the lane toward him. Hopefully, Zaira had good news for him.
As the carriage circled to the front of the house, the drawn window shades prevented him from seeing inside and gauging Zaira’s expression and whether the mission had been a success.
