The Bareknuckle Groom - Holly Bush Page 0,23

Louisa said and looked up. “I think my father was hoping that I would remain unmarried and care for him and my mother as they grew older. When I think back on everything now, it was my mother who insisted I move to America to raise you. I imagine she did not want me to become a nurse maid.”

“Go now. Let Berta get you into that lovely lilac gown. You look so beautiful in it. Not that you don’t always look beautiful.”

Louisa stood and went to the door. “Don’t worry, though, dear. I will never desert you. You are the daughter of my heart, and I would never, ever put anything over your happiness,” she said without turning and quickly slipped out.

Chapter 6

James came up the basement stairs in the alley beside Green’s Grocery. He had just completed the delivery of twelve cases of their jarred goods while Kirsty was inside the store with the owner settling the bill. It was a warm day for January, a rare treat, with no rain or snow, and he was dressed in what Muireall called his homespun: wide-leg pants over heavy leather lace-up boots, a collarless shirt, and plain vest with a loose-fitting jacket of plain brown wool over it all, for carrying their crates down alleys, into storerooms, and shelving boxes if asked. He pulled his flat cap from his head and wiped his forehead on his sleeve.

He walked to the street, busy now with shoppers out on a pleasant day, carrying bags and packages, looking for Kirsty. She came out of Green’s door just then.

“Did you get it all delivered?” she asked as they turned to walk down the street toward the wagon he rented for deliveries.

He nodded. “That’s the last of the orders. Let’s get home. I’m hungry and need to check on Payden. Muireall said he and Robert have been getting into some trouble.”

“Not really trouble, or at least pretty insignificant trouble. The old woman who moved into the house beside the Mingos told Aunt Murdoch that the two boys had walked through her yard. She was furious.”

“For cutting through a neighbor’s yard? MacAvoy and I did it all the time.”

“That’s why I don’t think there is any urgency with Payden,” Kirsty said. “Oh, James. Stop a moment. Let me look in this window. There are so many beautiful dresses and gloves. Look! Just look at that gold satin. I would look gorgeous in that!”

James smiled down at her and laughed. “My God, Kirsty, your vanity knows no bounds. You’re going to have to marry a man who is not impressed with your beauty.”

“I’m not vain,” Kirsty began and grinned as James touched her elbow to move her from the door of the dressmaker to make way for two women coming out.

He could not believe who the women were.

“Mr. Thompson!” Lucinda Vermeal said with some surprise.

He doffed his hat. “Miss Vermeal. A lovely day to be out, is it not?”

“It is,” she said and then hesitated, glancing at Kirsty. “Would you introduce your friend to my aunt and me?”

“Oh, Miss Vermeal!” Kirsty said. “I have seen you at several parties and have so admired your dresses and hair. I’m so happy to meet you! I’m James’s sister, Kirsty Thompson!”

James smiled at his sister’s enthusiasm and hoped the Vermeal ladies would not be haughty or rude to her.

“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Thompson. This is my aunt, Miss Louisa Vermeal. What brings you out today with your brother?”

“We were delivering canned goods our family makes to Green’s Grocery.” Kirsty pointed behind her to the storefront. “This is our last stop for the day, and I couldn’t help but notice that beautiful gold dress in the window. I told my brother I would look gorgeous in it, but he said I was vain! Can you believe that?” She laughed unaffectedly.

James glanced at Miss Vermeal, who was, he was thankful, smiling at Kirsty’s enthusiasm. The aunt walked over to the window beside Kirsty.

“Show me which one, Miss Thompson,” she said.

“That one in the back with the netting around the neck,” Kirsty said.

The aunt pointed to something else in the window, and the two of them turned their backs to him and Miss Vermeal, who was looking at him now with one raised brow. She was not smiling, but he had an overall feeling of gladness, of rightness in her company, and the spots of color on her cheeks made him think she felt the same. He realized then that