Justine barreled into their little group and moved to Jack’s side, his do-gooder come to save him. Warmth filled his entire body, pure contentment and happiness the likes of which he’d never known. Ignoring everyone else, he bent to kiss her cheek. “Congratulations, cara. You were magnificent.”
“Thank you.” She looked at her father. “What were you discussing when I arrived?”
“I have a piece of property I’d like to give your fiancé.”
“He’s not my . . .” She shook her head, likely realizing the futility in arguing with her father. “That’s very generous, Daddy. I’m sure Jack appreciates it.” Her eyes widened meaningfully at Jack.
Swallowing his exasperated sigh, he nodded. “Yes, of course. How could I possibly refuse?”
“Excellent. Come see me tomorrow and I’ll give you all the information.”
They settled on a time and Justine grinned broadly. “I am so happy to see the two of you getting along.”
Yes, if one called nearly being blackmailed getting along . . . Duncan was more bruiser than gentleman, it seemed. But Jack couldn’t bear to disappoint her, so he merely smiled. “You know, I think I will fit right in with your family.”
Everyone said their goodbyes and drifted away, leaving Jack and Justine to walk together toward the settlement house. “Your family seems to think we are already betrothed,” he said. “Does the misunderstanding bother you?”
“No, not really. I sense it helps them accept our relationship. Also, my mother is anxious to plan another wedding, seeing as how Florence refuses to walk down the aisle with Clay.”
“Shall we make it official, then?”
“Was that your idea of a proposal, Jack Mulligan?”
Heat crawled up his neck. He knew women placed importance on these things and he’d now dug himself a hole from which he’d probably never emerge. “I . . .”
A delicate hand landed on his arm and pulled him inside the building, to the room she used as an office. She closed the door and latched it. Seconds later, she threw her arms over his shoulders. “I was teasing you.” She nipped his earlobe with her teeth, and a shiver worked its way through his entire body.
“If you recall, you were the one who wanted to wait. I was ready to marry you in August.”
She toyed with the ends of his hair. “I remember, but I like this part, where it’s new and exciting. Sneaking around and finding ways to not get caught.”
“A thrill seeker. How did I not realize this?” He placed his hands on her hips, dragging her flush to his frame so she could feel all of him.
“Hmm.” She skimmed her lips over his jaw. “Perhaps marriage wouldn’t be all that different, though.”
Blood thickened and heated in his veins, and all he could think about was bending her over the desk . . .
“Will you let me make an honest man out of you, Jack Mulligan? Will you marry me?”
“Yes, but not completely honest.” He reached down and lifted her right off the floor, then carried her to the desk. “I wouldn’t want you to get bored.”
She scraped her teeth over the sensitive skin of his throat, causing him to groan. “I think there’s very little chance of that.”
Acknowledgments
Thank you so much for reading and supporting the Uptown Girls series. It has been a blast to write. Because I love historical research, here are some notes for you.
Jack is loosely inspired by a real-life Gilded Age figure in New York City, Paul Kelly. A legendary criminal, Kelly really did consolidate many of the gangs, dressed like a dandy and spoke multiple languages. Trevor O’Shaughnessy is loosely based on Kelly’s rival, Monk Eastman.
The brewery information was largely based on Anheuser-Busch. A-B was the first to produce refrigerated train cars (1876), and the revolutionary beer that Patrick Murphy created was modeled after Michelob (created in 1896).
Marie Connelly (or Connolly) Owens is believed to have been the first policewoman in the US, joining the Chicago Police Department in 1891 as a detective sergeant with full arrest capabilities. It was her success in chasing down wife deserters that got her noticed by the Chicago PD and given a spot in the department.
I could never do this job alone. Much love and thanks to my traveling partner, Diana Quincy, who kept telling me to put more “devil” in The Devil of Downtown. I am so very grateful to Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, Sonali Dev, Lenora Bell, Eva Leigh, Michele Mannon and Megan Frampton for their