Page 20 of A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #3)

20

Alannah turned the final page of Zaira’s manuscript and read the last line. Then she set the sheet on top of the rest of the pile she’d kept neatly piled on Zaira’s desk.

“Well?” Zaira asked from the bed behind Alannah.

Zaira’s bedroom was decorated in light green and white, giving it the feel of a moonlit garden, with the wallpaper containing an ivy pattern, the bed canopy made of wispy white tulle, and the comforter patterned in white-and-green stripes with a dozen lacy white throw pillows in all shapes and sizes. The potted plants around the room added to the garden-like feeling, as did the plush light green rugs.

Alannah peered out the window. The darkness of the night prevented her from seeing outside. Was Kiernan still home, or had he left?

The very thought of never meeting with Kiernan again made her heart ache. In fact, everything inside her ached. But she’d weathered losses before, and she could do so again. She had to.

She pivoted in the chair until she was facing Zaira.

The young woman was lying stomach down, elbows bent, and her chin resting in her hands. Her big eyes were wide and beautiful in the low lantern light, loose wisps of red hair framing her high cheekbones. Her face was etched with uncertainty as she waited for Alannah’s pronouncement.

“You’re a fantastic storyteller.” In editing for Hugh, Alannah had learned to start with the positives first. “It flows well, the writing is smooth, and the plot is exciting.”

“You’re not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?” Another stack of papers sat on the bed beside Zaira, another book she’d started writing. An ink pen lay abandoned on a half-finished page, and crumpled papers littered the floor.

“I would never say something that isn’t true.” Alannah reached over and squeezed one of Zaira’s ink-stained hands.

“Then tell me what I need to work on.” Zaira squeezed back and pushed herself up so she was sitting cross-legged, her long skirt tangled in her legs.

Alannah gathered the manuscript into a neat stack, grateful she’d had the opportunity to do the editing and get more practice. In addition to taking over her kitchen duties on occasion to allow her to edit, Zaira had invited Alannah to come to her room to edit at the desk whenever she wanted. Doing so was much more comfortable and allowed for more privacy.

Tonight, after the rainy afternoon at the pond with Kiernan, Bellamy, and Torin, Alannah had hardly been able to wait to visit Zaira’s room and lose herself in the manuscript. Even if the problems were still awaiting her when she finished, at least she’d been able to escape for a couple of hours.

She opened the manuscript to the middle where she’d marked several places. “I really like how the character is learning so much about herself here, but for a couple of chapters, we lose sight of the plot.”

Zaira’s brow furrowed.

Alannah waited for protest or denial. She’d argued enough with Hugh to know that most writers had opinions that were difficult to change.

Zaira reached for the manuscript, and Alannah relinquished it.

As Zaira read through the notes in the margin, Alannah’s stomach tightened. She hadn’t overstepped, had she? She’d learned a lot about editing in those couple of years before leaving home, and she had a good sense for stories and characters and plots.

If only she had a good sense for real life. But somehow she’d made a mess of everything with Kiernan.

Alannah hadn’t wanted to listen to the conversation between Kiernan and his parents earlier. But she’d heard it all from where she’d stood just outside the back servants’ door, sent by Cook to tidy the dining room for the simple Sunday evening meal. Portions of the discussion had grown loud, including when Mrs. Shanahan had made the declaration that Alannah was a nobody and not a suitable match.

The meeting had made it all too clear that Mrs. Shanahan hadn’t changed her opinion about Alannah, was still opposed to Kiernan having anything to do with her. As much as Alannah wanted to object to the matron’s declaration that she was unsuitable, she couldn’t. Not after seeing Kiernan’s list. The list of requirements was likely the same that Mrs. Shanahan had, that any mother or father in a family like the Shanahans would have.

Alannah couldn’t hold back a sigh.

Zaira glanced up from her manuscript. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

The young woman placed the manuscript on the bed, then sat up on her knees, giving Alannah her full attention. “You’re not fine.”

Zaira’s tone was so gentle and kind that tears stung the back of Alannah’s eyes.

“You’re thinking about Kiernan, aren’t you?”

“Of course not.”

Zaira tsked. “You don’t need to pretend with me, Alannah. I heard my parents and Kiernan today just like everyone else. And I know he cares about you.”

Alannah reached for the pencil on the desk and twisted it in her hands.

“I also know he’s been meeting with you after dark out beyond the garden.”

Alannah’s gaze shot up to Zaira. “You do?”

“I do now.” A self-satisfied smile curled up her lips. “I thought I heard him coming and going late, but I wasn’t sure what he was up to.”

Guilt knotted in Alannah’s stomach. “It’s not what you’re thinking—”

“I didn’t think you were having illicit relations, if that’s what you mean.”

“We weren’t, to be sure. I vow it.” Alannah pushed up from her chair, needing to hide from the never-ending embarrassment today had brought.

Zaira jumped up from the bed. “Don’t go.”

Alannah halted. Even though she wanted to rush from the room, she obeyed Zaira like a good servant would do, poised for the next command.

As if sensing Alannah’s subservience, Zaira waved a hand toward the door. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to talk. But I thought that since we’re becoming friends, you might like a listening ear.”

After how much Zaira had entrusted to Alannah, shouldn’t she trust Zaira in return?

Zaira sat back down on the edge of the bed. “I will say that I’ve never seen Kiernan as taken with a woman as he is with you.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I know so. He never fought to keep Shelia the way he’s fighting to keep you.”

“He fought to keep me?”

“Aye, silly. Today in the meeting with Mam and Da. He wants to marry you and doesn’t plan to let them change his mind.”

Alannah’s thoughts whirled again with all the things she’d overheard. “She’s the only one I can truly be myself with, and she’s genuine with me in return. She’s my equal ... in fact, she’s better than me.”

Zaira was right. He’d said he wouldn’t be swayed from marrying her, that he was determined to win her.

But that was precisely the trouble. He might have this momentary attraction to her, think he wanted to marry her, believe they were right for each other, but ultimately, she would do him more harm than good.

“Do you care about him too?” Zaira’s tone wasn’t pushy or even nosy.

Alannah hesitated. Did she dare admit she liked Kiernan so much that at times the desire scared her?

She swallowed the reservations holding her back and nodded. “Aye, I’ve never cared about a man the way I do for Kiernan.”

Zaira gave a bounce and a clap. “I knew it!”

“But I can’t have him, Zaira,” Alannah quickly protested. “I’m not the right woman for him.”

“Who says?”

“Everyone.”

“It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about the two of you.”

“But it does. And I’ll only cause embarrassment to him and your family.”

Zaira reached for Alannah’s hand and dragged her to the bed beside her. As Alannah sank into the mattress, Zaira laid her head on Alannah’s shoulder in a sisterly way—or at least as sisterly as Alannah had imagined since she’d never had one.

“You’re a wonderful person, Alannah. And people will see that the same way Kiernan has. The same way I have. Eventually no one will think about all the rumors and how you and Kiernan met. All that will matter is that you’re together.”

If only that were true. But nothing ever seemed to work out in her life so perfectly. God didn’t look with favor upon her the way He did others.

Besides, even if Kiernan cared about her, she had to do what was best for him. And the best thing was for him to have a woman who could help him succeed in life, especially in giving him a dowry that would help him with his brickyard.

Before she could formulate a response, the pounding of hooves resounded in the lane coming toward the front of the house. It was a pounding so furious that the bearer could only be bringing bad news.

Zaira sat up, and Alannah did too.

What could it be? Had something happened to Riley and Finola? Or perhaps there was news of Sullivan and Enya. What if one of them had succumbed to the cholera?

Alannah grasped Zaira’s hand at the same time the young woman clasped hers, as if they’d both concluded the same thing at the same time.

They remained stiff and unmoving on the edge of the bed until the horse halted. A moment later, footsteps thudded up the stairs, across the veranda, to the front door, and a rapid pounding reverberated through the house.

Responding footsteps came from the hallway outside Zaira’s room, probably Kiernan’s or his da’s.

Zaira scrambled off the bed and crossed to the door. She opened it a crack and peeked out.

“Mr. Shanahan?” a man shouted from outside. “You’ve got to come right away.”

The footsteps on the interior stairway leading down to the entryway hastened.

“It’s urgent!” the man called. “The Farrell gang is at the brickyard causing havoc.”

Alannah jumped up now, too, and gasped. The Farrell gang? There was only one reason the Farrell gang would be threatening the brickyard. And it was because of Torin. Shaw was probably hunting for him and hoping to destroy him.

Zaira threw open the door the rest of the way and headed out into the hallway. Alannah followed, her heart pounding.

The house door banged open, and the voices resounded throughout the entryway, hurried and grave.

At the top step, Zaira halted, and Alannah did likewise. Darkness engulfed the stairway and even the hallway below, but the light of the moon outlined Kiernan in the doorway as he conversed with a man on the threshold.

James Shanahan stood behind Kiernan, in his night clothing, including a long nightcap. Kiernan was still attired in his clothing, missing only his coat and vest. He was holstering a revolver, one he’d obviously brought to the door in case he needed the protection.

“I’ll be right there,” Kiernan said. “Ride into town and alert the police and then tell Liam.”

The messenger gave a curt nod before he spun on his heels and crossed the porch.

Kiernan closed the door and then stalked past his da down the hallway.

Mr. Shanahan grabbed on to Kiernan and tried to stop him. “You can’t be going and trying to fight them yourself.”

Kiernan shook off his da’s hold. “I won’t sit back and let them destroy my brickyard.”

Mr. Shanahan lumbered after Kiernan. “At least wait for the police.”

Kiernan paused at the back door. “I can’t wait. My workers, my buildings, everything I’ve invested in the business is at stake.”

“Your life is more important than the business.”

“My workers’ lives are important too.”

The frustrated voices of the father and son carried up the stairway where Alannah huddled next to Zaira. Madigan and Quinlan had gathered behind them. And Mrs. Shanahan was making her way down the stairs in her nightgown while still donning her robe.

Kiernan stepped outside, letting the back door slam behind him. The noise reverberated through Alannah, setting her world off-kilter.

Mr. Shanahan threw the door open and called, “Be careful, son. Please don’t do anything rash.”

If Kiernan responded, Alannah couldn’t hear him. A moment later, Mr. Shanahan stepped back in, his shoulders sagging. When he turned, Mrs. Shanahan was on the bottom step.

“Blessed Mother, help us.” Mrs. Shanahan’s whisper was grave.

It sent chills up Alannah’s backbone.

The question was, did she have the power to stop Shaw and his attack? If she handed herself over to him, would he call off the fight at the brickyard? And would he finally leave Torin to live in peace?

She hesitated a moment, then swallowed her reservations. She had to go to the brickyard now. She had no other choice, not if she wanted to save Torin and protect Kiernan from danger.