His thoughts clarified for the first time since he learned that Dee was actually Deirdre. It didn’t matter if they remained married or not—nothing would ever be the same again.
And yet he couldn’t lose her.
He looked Liam square in the eye. “I fully intend to remain married to Deirdre and give her a good life.”
Chapter Fourteen
THE WAITING WAS THEworst part.
When Jeremiah finally returned, his face was washed in white and he could barely summon the energy to take off his coat. Deirdre hurried over to help him, and he smiled at her gratefully.
“How did it go?” she asked as she hung his coat.
Jeremiah had already fallen into the bed, fully dressed. He closed eyes. “Fine. I’ll tell you more . . . later.”
He was asleep before she could cross the room. She crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her sleeve. She would burst with curiosity before Jeremiah awoke again.
Mind made up, she drew on her own coat and hat and went out to find Liam. The bright sun helped warm the chill of the day. She passed Abigail as her friend carried a sack of laundry she’d just picked up.
“How did it go?” Abigail asked. Deirdre had found her when she returned to the boardinghouse from the depot, and Abigail had kindly listened to every single one of Deirdre’s worries.
“He said it went well—and then he fell asleep. I’m off to see Liam now. Perhaps I can learn more from him.”
Abigail nodded. “Come find me and let me know.”
Deirdre promised to do just that. It didn’t take long before she reached the little home she used to share with Liam. She called his name the second she opened the door.
He peered out from his bedroom down the hallway, and his face split into a grin. “Deirdre!”
Deirdre breathed a sigh of relief. Liam wouldn’t look this happy if he were angry about her marriage to Jeremiah. “I’m so happy to see you home,” she said as he gave her a hug.
He leaned back, his hands still grasping her arms. “Congratulations, little sister. I’m almost afraid to leave town again, or I might miss some other momentous occasion.”
Deirdre smiled. “I feared you might be angry with us.”
He stepped back and shook his head. “To be honest, I questioned Wiley’s motivation at first, but he seems to want to do right by you. But if he steps out of line, Deirdre—”
