The Bachelor's Bride (The Thompsons of Locust Street #1) - Holly Bush Page 0,9

some handsome young men!” Kirsty said as she pulled tight the ribbons on her hat.

Muireall shook her head, and Elspeth smiled as she followed her sister out the door.

Alexander dropped the files he’d been reviewing into the drawer of his desk, locked it, and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. It had been a particularly long day preparing for the city council meeting scheduled for the following week. He pulled on his jacket, picked up his leather satchel, and said good night to the office secretary, Bert Kleinfeld.

He left on a happy note, knowing that at least this evening he would not have to attend any functions for Schmitt or for his own family. He loved his mother and father dearly, and his sister too, but he was heartily tired of their matchmaking. Every time he accepted an invitation for dinner at his family home, there was a young woman who just happened to be visiting his sister. They were all lovely women, it seemed to him on a short acquaintance, but none of them sparked any interest to pursue them further. They were pleasant conversationalists and pretty in their own way, but he was unable to tell one from another.

Alexander chuckled to himself, thinking how angry his sister, Annabelle, had been when he could not remember who Miss Sabine was and had confused her with Miss Franklin. They were both dark-haired, well-spoken, and wore the same type of dress, although Miss Sabine’s had been green and Miss Franklin’s rose colored. Or did he have that backward? He crossed the street to the stables where his carriage and driver awaited. He was looking back over his shoulder at a dog barking madly when he ran directly into someone and reached out a steadying hand.

“Oh! Oh! I’m so terribly . . . Miss Thompson?”

“Mr. Pendergast?”

He stepped back quickly as he’d pulled her toward him to steady her, and she, for just a moment, a blinding and arousing moment, was against his body from breast to knee. She was staring at him, her mouth open in a round O. He stared back, unwilling to break the connection and unable to stop his heart from beating in his ears. This woman sparked his interest . . . and more. Someone cleared their throat, and both he and Miss Thompson turned their heads.

“Are you going to introduce me properly, Elspeth?”

“Oh yes, yes,” she said, clearly flustered, her cheeks red. “Mr. Pendergast, this is my youngest sister, Miss Kirsty Thompson.”

The young woman smiled and put her hand out to shake. He nodded and took her hand.

“I won’t try and squeeze the life out of your fingers like our brother did last week,” she said.

“Kirsty! Were you eavesdropping?”

“No. But Mrs. McClintok was peeking through the sliding door since Aunt Murdoch had told her to stay close by. She told me.”

The elder Miss Thompson widened her eyes at her sister. “Kirsty! Please! Mr. Pendergast is going to think we are the worst sort of gossips.”

Alexander would have laughed at the pair of them, at Elspeth’s outrage and her sister, giddy and not the least bit ashamed, but he couldn’t. Miss Elspeth was embarrassed, and he would not cause her any undue concern.

“Please don’t worry on my account,” he said with a smile. “I was nearly ready to flinch. Your brother showed mercy at the last moment.”

“It seemed to me that you gave as good as you got,” Miss Elspeth said.

He couldn’t help but preen a bit. To stand a little straighter and push his shoulders back. “Did you think so?” he asked.

She nodded and glanced away.

“What brings you downtown to City Hall, ladies?”

“We visited with a grocer who is interested in our jarred goods.” Miss Kirsty pointed. “Right there. Right across this street. We’re waiting on the trolley to get home.”

“Allow me to see you both home,” Alexander said. “My carriage and driver are inside this livery.”

“Oh no,” Miss Elspeth said. “We could never inconvenience you. The trolley will be here any minute.”

“It’s no inconvenience at all, ladies.”

“Then we accept,” Miss Kirsty burst out. “Lead on, Mr. Pendergast.”

“Stay right here,” he said. “I’ll retrieve my driver.”

Once both sisters were settled on the forward-facing seat, he sat down opposite them and settled his case beside him. “So tell me about your visit to Flemming’s Market.”

“It’s a much larger store than I’d imagined. I’m not sure we could supply the amounts they are interested in,” Miss Elspeth said.

Miss Kirsty shrugged. “Muireall will want to do it. She’ll