A Lass to Love (Brides of Scotland #1) - Tammy Andresen Page 0,26

this. He was here if she needed him. He shifted nervously, wondering what might be taking so long. She’d been gone for close to an hour. He pushed open the door of the carriage and began to climb out. Was something wrong?

But just then, the door swung open and Fiona came down the steps, a large smile on her face.

He straightened and reached out a hand to her. Slipping her fingers into his, her grin spread wider. “He’s marrying someone else too.”

Tom nearly choked at the words. “You’re joking. That’s wonderful news. So everything was amicable then?”

“More or less.” She linked her arm through his. “Do ye mind if we walk fer a bit? I saw a park just down the street. After years of build up, I simply can’t sit after that last conversation.”

“Of course.” Tom gestured for the driver to follow as they walked through the gates, and started down the tree-lined street. “So…” He looked over at his new wife. “Was he handsome?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose. If ye like red hair.”

“I do.” He gave her a long look, taking in her fiery locks.

She gave his arm a tap. “Don’t be silly.” She stopped turning toward him. “I don’t ken what I thought he’d be. After years of wondering, he was just a man trying to find the right path. I—” She stopped. “Do ye see those women there?”

Tom’s eyes narrowed. “What about them?” He assessed the three women, his jaw tensing. Huddled together, their bodies curled forward, their heads bent, they grasped one another as if a strong wind might blow them all away.

“They look…lost.” She pulled his arm, dragging him toward them.

“Fiona,” he started. He agreed but he didn’t want to take on three other people’s problems. “We’re still caring for that gull. And my finger hasn’t forgiven me yet.”

“Gully needed our help,” she murmured. “And those women. They look like they need it too.”

“Fiona,” he groaned. Colin had warned him and he loved his wife but he had a feeling this was going to be a habit.

She kept moving toward them, undeterred by his protest. “Hello,” she called, waving her hand. “Hello. Are you all right?”

The women had been sitting together, hunched on a bench, three bags in front of them. As he moved closer, Tom could see that two of the three of them had tear-stained faces.

Damn. He hated when women cried. It tugged every heart string when they did.

Fiona’s head also bent low as she whispered with them. He debated for another minute before he made his way to the bench.

Fiona looked up at him. “I’d like ta introduce Ladies Rose, Lily, and Daisy Morningstar.”

“A pleasure.” He bowed.

They nodded in response.

“This is my husband, Mr. Thomas Mayweather.” Fiona shifted to face him. “Their cousin has tossed them from their home and they have little money and no place to live.”

Tom’s stomach dropped. That was terrible. “Surely, they could come stay with us,” he said without hesitation, casting his doubts aside.

“No.” Rose stood. “We could never impose on you like that.”

His mouth twisted. He didn’t know these women and he didn’t want to push or pry. “Well, how much is little money?”

Rose held out a purse to him and he dumped the coin into his hand. It was less than a little. “How about this. I might know a place you can stay. It’s not very nice but it’s cheap and the innkeeper is an honest man. More than I can say for most places at the price.”

Rose nodded, gratitude and hope filling her eyes. “Thank you.”

He didn’t mention that the bill would still be well over what they could afford. He’d settle that with the innkeeper. It was a temporary plan, but knowing his wife, he assumed Fiona was already working on a more permanent solution.

“We’ve a carriage waiting outside the park. I’ll escort you ladies there now.”

Gratefully, they picked up their bags and together they shuffled toward the vehicle.

Fiona fell back, taking his hand. “Thank ye,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome, my love.” He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss on her brow. “I have a feeling that this won’t be the last time we race in to rescue someone or something.”

Her nose wrinkled. “I do make a habit of it. Do ye mind?”

“Mind? Where would I be if you hadn’t decided to save me?”

She stopped, facing him. “I never meant to save ye. I was being completely selfish marrying ye.”

He chuckled. “I’ll take it. Let’s get your new friends settled. Then we can continue our honeymoon.”

She gave him a glowing smile. “Sounds wonderful to me.”