Page 2 of A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #3)

2

Marry off Alannah?

Kiernan Shanahan halted in the breakfast room, his hand against the door to the hallway where Bellamy and Alannah were talking.

He’d been near the carriage house handing over his mount to Mr. Dunlop and conversing with the fellow when he’d spotted Bellamy walking down the street toward the house.

Something about Bellamy’s hasty pace and stealthy glances had set off warning bells inside Kiernan. Although Bellamy had never given him a reason for mistrust, Kiernan couldn’t keep caution from racing through him.

He’d snuck inside Enya’s home through the back door and managed to make it through the house without being seen or heard. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad. What if he’d been someone more disreputable, like Shaw Farrell?

Kiernan’s blood turned cold just like it always did whenever he thought about the way Shaw Farrell had kissed Alannah. At that time, he hadn’t known Alannah, since she’d just moved to St. Louis. He’d only heard the men teasing Torin about how beautiful his sister was and Torin telling them not to go anywhere near her if they valued their lives. From the lethality in his voice and face, it had been clear he hadn’t been teasing in return. And from the way the men had immediately stopped talking about her, it was also clear why Torin was a leader of the Saints Alley gang. He was more dangerous than he appeared, and they knew it.

When Kiernan had first seen Alannah outside the factory, he’d realized she was just as beautiful as the men had claimed, if not more so. With her blond hair and soft blue eyes, everything about her—her graceful neck, her full rounded eyes, the high sweeping cheekbones, and even the tiny pucker of her upper lip—was so tantalizing. As if that wasn’t enough, even though she’d still been thin as a result of the Great Hunger and the hardships of the passage over to America, she had a womanly figure that her clothing couldn’t hide.

Kiernan could admit he’d found her attractive from the start and still did. A man would have to be completely daft not to notice her. Unfortunately, Shaw had noticed her, too, and the gang leader was as dangerous as Torin, if not more so.

Kiernan didn’t understand all that had happened between the two men, but apparently Torin had made an enemy of Shaw. With the Saints Alley and Farrells already rival gangs, the hostility between the two men had only made things worse.

Normally, Kiernan stayed well away from involvement in gang problems and didn’t tolerate any gang fighting in his factory. But after witnessing the threats that day Shaw had kissed Alannah, Kiernan hadn’t been able to say no when Torin pleaded for help in hiding her.

Kiernan usually swung past Enya’s once or twice a week to reassure himself that everything was still alright with Alannah. Now that Enya and Sullivan had left for New Orleans, Kiernan would have to cut back on his visits, or he’d risk the neighbors gossiping and assuming he was having illicit relations with one of the servants.

On the other hand, if Torin had asked Bellamy to find Alannah a match, maybe he wouldn’t need to come much longer at all.

“Torin doesn’t need to be marrying me off,” Alannah said. “I’ll be just fine, so I will.”

“Naturally.” Bellamy sounded as though he hadn’t a care in the world. But underneath it all, Kiernan suspected more was going on than met the eye.

“I’ll find another job soon enough.”

“Another job?” Kiernan couldn’t keep the question from slipping out.

At the silence from the hallway on the other side of the door, he guessed he’d given his presence away. Not that he’d been trying to hide.

With a curt tug on the lapels of his cutaway morning coat that matched his light trousers, he shoved the door open and stalked down the hallway.

Bellamy was leaning against the front door and had been watching Alannah with an unsettling intensity. Was the matchmaker interested in Alannah for himself? Was that why he was here?

Kiernan narrowed his eyes upon the fellow. “Bellamy McKenna. What are you doing here?” He didn’t care that his question came out partly as an accusation.

Bellamy opened his mouth as though to defend himself, then his brows rose.

Alannah was attired in her maid’s uniform. As plain and simple as the garb was, it only seemed to make her beauty all the more startling every time he saw her. Over the weeks of employment for Enya, Alannah had filled out so that she looked healthier and less likely to blow away in a gust of wind.

Her pretty blue eyes had shifted to him, but the moment he looked at her, she dropped her sights to the floor, showing deference.

She was only behaving as most maids did. Mrs. Christy had likely trained her on the protocol around those above her station, around the family, and especially around the men. The fact was, the maids and the men of the family weren’t to mingle—at least in the Shanahan house. His da had strict policies about chastity. That included chastity regarding the hired help.

“Kiernan Shanahan.” Bellamy’s gaze was bouncing back and forth between him and Alannah. He was clearly trying to make sense of their relationship.

Well, Bellamy’s gaze would have a lot of bouncing to do because Kiernan didn’t have a relationship with Alannah and never would. He talked to her during his visits, but never for long. Mostly their conversations centered on Torin and his involvement with the gangs and how worried she was. Kiernan had offered to try to help Torin more, but he also knew that once involved in the Kerry Patch gangs, there was usually only one way out—death. But he didn’t tell her that.

“What brings you out on this lovely morn?” Bellamy’s dark eyes started to twinkle.

Kiernan had nothing to hide from Bellamy. Nothing at all. And he wouldn’t scramble or cower or pretend otherwise. Instead, he drew himself up to all of his brawny six-feet-three inches. “I came to check on Alannah.”

“Oh aye. ’Tis a fact if I ever did see one.”

“It’s a blessed good thing I came when I did.” From the corner of his eye, he could see Alannah watching him again, her eyes wide and surrounded by long, thick lashes.

“I agree.” A smile tugged at Bellamy’s lips. “Truly ’tis a most fortunate occasion.”

What did that mean? And why was Bellamy smiling? Kiernan gave an irritated shake of his head before turning to Alannah and gentling his voice. “What’s this I hear about you needing another job?”

“With the mistress away now, there’s nothing for me to do here.” She had her hands in her pockets, the outline of a book evident in one.

He’d learned over the past weeks that she liked to read. He’d caught her in the act on a couple of occasions, and she’d made no pretense about what she was doing.

“Enya won’t mind if you keep the position.”

“She’s a kind mistress and said I could stay until I find something else.”

Kiernan could feel a storm gathering inside him. “She can’t fire you from your job every time she leaves town.”

“She said she’s not sure when she’s returning. It could be months, likely after the babe is born.”

With the death count from cholera mounting higher with every passing week, Sullivan had talked of moving Enya out of the city. Doing so made sense, and Kiernan didn’t blame Sullivan for taking her away. But for so long?

Kiernan doffed his hat made of fine black felt, then raked his fingers through his hair, ruffling away any hat marks.

Bellamy’s lips twitched with a smirk.

Kiernan palmed the back of his neck. “Listen, Bellamy. I don’t know what Torin told you. But I’m putting an end to this nonsense. Alannah doesn’t need to get married. She needs another job.”

Bellamy shrugged. “’Tis what Torin wants. He came to me last night. And he asked me to find a nice fellow.”

“I’ll find a nice fellow on my own, so I will.” Alannah jutted her chin, her lips set stubbornly.

The angle gave Kiernan a better view of her neck and the long, elegant lines of her jaw. It was too bad she had to wear the collar.

Bellamy gave him a pointed look.

Kiernan glared back. The young matchmaker needed to stop the insinuations. Kiernan had no interest in Alannah. He was simply trying to help both her and Torin during this difficult time.

“I agree with Mr. Shanahan.” Alannah spoke again, her tone firm. “I need a job, not marriage.”

Whenever she called him Mr. Shanahan, he felt middle-aged like his da instead of twenty-two. He’d been tempted to tell her to call him Kiernan, but that would be inappropriate, especially around other people.

Bellamy was still leaning against the door, and his expression grew serious. “Your brother thinks marriage will keep you safe, out of danger.”

Kiernan’s ready protest died. Alannah didn’t respond either, studying Bellamy.

Was Torin right? If she was married, would Shaw drop his threats? Shaw might be a scoundrel, but he wouldn’t pursue a married woman, would he?

How much did Bellamy know about Alannah’s predicament? About Shaw’s threats? About the rivalry between the two gangs? Torin must have explained some of it to Bellamy.

Kiernan nodded at the matchmaker. “I see Torin’s point.”

“No.” Alannah’s chin rose higher. “I’m not marrying someone I don’t know. What if I trade one unhappy situation for another?”

“That’s why your brother came to me.” Bellamy offered a slow smile. “Because then I can be finding just the right husband for you.”

“And how will you know who is right for me when you don’t know me at all?”

“Good question.” Kiernan let himself meet her gaze.

She rarely looked at him squarely. But this time her eyes rounded, clearly not expecting him to agree with her, and they held a curiosity, almost as if she wanted to know more about him.

He could usually tell when women were interested. He’d learned to read the signals. But with Alannah, he’d never been certain. And it didn’t matter. It really didn’t matter in the least. He’d been reminding himself of that every time he wondered.

Just as he’d been reminding himself that it didn’t matter if Shelia had shown some interest in him recently. ... The fact was, Liam was madly in love with her. As a best friend and business partner, Liam deserved to have Shelia all to himself, even if she had once been the woman Kiernan thought he’d marry.

Kiernan’s stomach knotted again as it had whenever he thought about how beautiful Shelia had looked last night. He shouldn’t have stopped by her family’s country home in the first place. But the Douglases lived next door to Oakland, the Shanahans’ country estate. And she’d been outside as he was passing by and called out to him. It would have been rude not to stop, and he’d only visited for a short while.

He shifted his attention to Bellamy. “I suppose you already have some candidates in mind for Alannah?”

“Oh aye. That I do.”

Kiernan didn’t know what to say at Bellamy’s quick—certain—response. Obviously, Bellamy did know most of the single men looking for wives. Apparently, he’d already narrowed down those he thought could provide Alannah with a good life. He might have even consulted with his da, Oscar, who had been the matchmaker in the St. Louis Irish community for as long as Kiernan could remember. The older fellow probably had all kinds of possibilities.

“I thank you, Bellamy.” Alannah took a step away from him as though wanting to put an end to their conversation. “You’re kind to offer your help, to be sure. But marriage is such a big step, and I’m not ready to take it.”

“It doesn’t have to be today.” Bellamy’s voice held a chiding, almost teasing note.

Kiernan wasn’t so sure that Bellamy would refrain from whisking her away to the church today. Enya’s marriage to Sullivan had happened fast, within hours of Bellamy’s conspiring.

If Alannah had another job lined up, someplace else to go, then she wouldn’t need to consider a match right now, would she?

“At least think about it,” Bellamy continued. “You might even find that you’re more than ready.”

Kiernan gave a curt shake of his head. “Or maybe she’d just like to work a while longer.”

Once again, Bellamy quirked a brow at him.

“I’ll help her find another domestic position.” Kiernan’s mind dashed through the possibilities. There were probably at least half a dozen families he knew that would hire her on. But each had larger staffs. More servants meant more gossip. And more gossip could lead to Shaw discovering her whereabouts.

“No, Mr. Shanahan.” Alannah backed up another step. “You’ve already done enough for me.”

“Think nothing of it.”

What about Shelia? The Douglases? Would they be willing to take on another servant?

For that matter, why not have Alannah work for his family? Now that the brickyard purchase was finalized, he would likely be staying at Oakland for a while since it was near the site of the new business venture. With his presence at the estate, perhaps Mam would agree to the additional hand.

Bellamy was watching him like an employee awaiting permission. But permission for what? Kiernan didn’t have the right to determine Alannah’s future. However, he could provide her more time to figure it out for herself. Then she wouldn’t feel the pressure to rush into marriage with the first man Bellamy presented to her.

Besides, his family home was the perfect place to keep her safe. It was out of the city, away from prying eyes, and had a smaller staff. Shaw wouldn’t learn she was there. She would be away from the cholera epidemic as well.

“You’ll work for my family.” Kiernan spoke with finality. If Mam wasn’t agreeable, he would pay for Alannah’s wages out of his own earnings. “In our country home.”

Although Alannah’s eyes widened again, she didn’t offer an immediate protest. She’d been to Oakland for a couple of days during the terrible fire last month. She had to realize, just as he had, that the country home would be another excellent hideaway.

“You can work there until Enya returns.” Kiernan knew he had a bad habit of telling people what to do instead of asking them. But in this case, he didn’t want to give her the chance to decline the offer.

Alannah seemed to hesitate.

Bellamy was again bouncing his gaze back and forth between them.

It was definitely time to go ... before Bellamy started to make more out of his helping Alannah.

Kiernan spun and started down the hallway toward the back door. “I’ll come for you tomorrow morning, Alannah. See that you’re ready.”