The Bachelor's Bride (The Thompsons of Locust Street #1) - Holly Bush Page 0,48

all of them,” his sister said and studied the asparagus on her fork. “She’s also invited people whom she’s never invited before.”

“Must this be a guessing game?” he said with a laugh. “It would take me all evening to name all the Philadelphians who would kill to get an invitation to one of Mother’s balls.”

“I’ve invited the Misses Thompson, their brother, and their aunt,” his mother said. “I am much looking forward to meeting the whole family again. I haven’t asked the youngest brother. Not quite old enough, but I will if you would like me to.”

Alexander shook his head in disbelief and looked at his father, who was grim-faced. He turned to his mother and struggled to keep his voice even. “I wish you would have said something to me earlier. I would not want to raise any expectations from that family, and there are other matters that must be taken into consideration.”

“Miss Kirsty and Miss Elspeth are friends of mine, Alexander,” Annabelle said. “I thought they may be more inclined to come if the whole family was invited.”

Alexander stood. He had to, otherwise he would shout his displeasure. “Father, may we speak in the study? Now?”

Andrew Pendergast rose and laid his napkin beside his plate. “I assumed you’d want to speak straightaway. We’ll be back shortly, Gwen. Annabelle.”

Alexander could barely hold his temper until he closed his father’s study door. “You’ve got to stop this, Father! Elspeth was followed home last week by two men, one of whom beat me up in that alley the night of the fight. A prostitute Schmitt frequented was murdered. James Thompson and I believe there is considerable danger. How will we keep everyone safe? Can’t you just tell Mother no?”

Andrew Pendergast harrumphed a laugh. “Just tell Gwendolyn Smithers Pendergast no? That’s like waving a red flag in front of a bull’s nose. And anyway, I don’t just tell your mother what to do, and I doubt whomever you choose as a bride will allow you to dictate to her either. It doesn’t work like that with bright, capable women, and who else would you want to marry?”

“This could be a nightmare. The house is so big, with so many rooms, and there’ll be extra staff we don’t know.”

“I’ve told your mother she must bring in any additional workers from the staff at the house in New Jersey and told her to see if Isadora will lend her some of her staff for the evening. We’ll be going over all of this with Graham this week. Let’s wait and see what he says.”

“Maybe it will all work out as you like, Alexander,” Annabelle said with a sly smile after he and father were reseated. “Maybe none of the Thompsons will be interested in coming. Maybe some aren’t as interested in you as you’d like to think.”

Alexander snarled at his sister, much like he used to do when he was ten years old and she was five. She laughed at him, much like she used to at that young age, and turned to her mother to discuss decorations for the upcoming event.

“Mr. Pendergast!” Kirsty said when she answered the door. “Oh, come in. You must come right in.” She took him by the hand and pulled him along to the open parlor door. “Look who is here, Muireall! Mr. Pendergast. Now you may ask your questions about the ball! Here. Seat yourself here. I’ll get the tea tray.”

“What brings you here, Mr. Pendergast?” Muireall asked.

“I was hoping to visit with Miss Elspeth,” he said. He rose when Kirsty returned, followed by Robert carrying tea and coffee.

“Do sit down,” she said. “What will you have? Cakes? Tea? Coffee?”

“Just coffee,” he said.

“Elspeth is out doing some shopping,” Kirsty said and glanced at him. “Oh, do not panic. She is with our brother James. No one will bother her.”

“I hope you are all limiting your outings,” he said.

“We are,” Kirsty said. “I am so sick of looking at the faces of my brothers and sisters I could scream, and here it is April, when the flowers are blooming and everything is looking fresh and new, and we are stuck inside. But enough of that. I want to know every little thing about the invitation we’ve received.”

“Yes, Mr. Pendergast. Tell us about the invitation my sisters received,” Muireall said.

“My mother said the invitation is for everyone in your family including you, your aunt, your brother, and your youngest brother too, if you are so inclined.”

Kirsty put her hands

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