Page 10 of Irish Thoroughbred (Irish Hearts #1)

“Dee,” Trish interrupted firmly. “Whatever your occupation, you’re still a human being; you’re still a woman, an exceptionally beautiful woman.

” Adelia’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened to protest, but before the words could be uttered Trish took her by the shoulders and turned her to face her reflection.

“Look at yourself, really look,” she ordered in no-nonsense terms, then shifted to gentler tones.

“There’ll be times when you’ll want only to be a woman; this dress is for those times.

Now,” she said with practical authority as she released her, “try something else on.”

For the rest of the afternoon Adelia allowed Trish to take command.

For the first time in more than a decade, she permitted someone else to make all the decisions, and somehow she found she was having fun.

They halted in front of a cosmetics counter, and Trish began spraying scents until Adelia grumbled in protest.

“This.” Trish selected one of the bottles she had sampled. “Light and delicate, with just a touch of spirit.” Paying for the cologne, she handed the package to Adelia. “A present.”

“Oh, but I can’t!”

“Yes, you can. Friends get pleasure from giving presents. Now, that marvelous skin of yours doesn’t need any help, but I think we’ll accent your eyes—and some lipstick, nothing too dramatic.” She stopped and laughed. “I’m bullying you, aren’t I?”

“Aye,” Adelia agreed, feeling caught up in a genial whirlwind and finding she liked it.

“Well, you needed it,” Trish said firmly. “Is there anything else you want?”

She hesitated, then blurted out quickly, “Something for my hands. Your brother said I’ve hands like a ditchdigger’s.”

“That man!” she exclaimed in disgust. “He’s the epitome of tact and diplomacy.”

“Trish, hello!”

Adelia turned to see a flash of amazing silver-blond hair before Trish was enveloped in an exuberant embrace. Adelia’s first startled impression was of lavish curls and musky scent.

“I’m so glad to see you, darling.” A high, bubbly voice drifted with the scent. “It’s been weeks.”

“Hello, Laura.” With an affectionate smile, Trish disentangled herself. “It’s good to see you, too. Laura Bowers—Adelia Cunnane.”

“How do you do, Mistress Bowers.” The greeting was returned with a flash of beautiful white teeth before Laura’s attention returned to Trish.

“Darling, how is that fabulous brother of yours?”

“Fabulous,” Trish returned, giving Adelia a quick grin of mischief.

“Don’t tell me he’s not pining after Margot?” Laura sighed and gave a flutter of extensive lashes. “I was so hoping to offer him my comfort. Not even a tear or two to be dried?”

“He seems to be bearing up under the strain,” Trish returned. Hearing the unexpected sarcasm, Adelia glanced at her in surprise.

“Oh, well, if he doesn’t need comfort,” Laura continued, obviously not affected by Trish’s tone, “he’s still at loose ends, so to speak. If dear Margot overplayed her hand by whisking off to Europe, I for one am not above volunteering to fill the gap. Heard from her lately?”

“Not a peep.”

“Well, then, I’ll take it that no news is good news.” She gave Trish a wink and tossed her brilliant curls. “Such a gorgeous man. Do you know Travis, Adelaide?”

“Adelia,” Trish corrected before Adelia could do so herself. “Yes, Dee knows Travis very well.”

“Charming man,” Laura bubbled. “Now that Margot’s out of the picture, at least temporarily, I’ll just have to give him a ring.

Do tell him I’ll call, won’t you?” With another flurry of curls, she pecked both of Trish’s cheeks.

“I hate to, darling, but I simply must run. Don’t forget to give Travis my very best. So nice to have met you, Amanda. ”

Adelia opened her mouth, then closed it again as Laura scurried off in a wave of musk.

“Sorry, Amanda.” Trish grinned and patted Adelia’s cheek. “Laura’s really very sweet and basically kind, but she’s a bit short of brains.”

“She has such beautiful hair.” Tearing her gaze from Laura’s retreating coiffure, Adelia turned back to Trish. “I’ve never seen hair that color before. She must be very proud of it.”

Trish laughed until she was forced to wipe away tears as Adelia looked on in puzzlement. “Oh, Dee, I adore you! Come on, we’ll get that hand cream; then I’ll buy you a cup of tea.”

Waiting patiently while her mentor weighed the pros and cons of various lotions, Adelia reflected on Laura Bowers’s conversation.

Margot, she repeated, nibbling absently on her bottom lip.

Who is this Margot, and what is she to Travis?

For a moment she struggled with the urge to ask Trish outright, then, remembering her manners, she kept silent.

Perhaps he’s in love with her. This thought brought such a sharp, unexpected pain that she nearly gasped aloud.

But he’s not, a part of her insisted. If Travis Grant were ever to love a woman, he would never let her go.

He would go to the ends of the earth to bring her back.

Unless, of course, he had been rejected.

His pride would never allow him to pursue a woman who had refused him.

But who would ever refuse such a man? It’s not my concern, she told herself fiercely, forcing herself to concentrate on Trish’s detailed description of various hand lotions.

At last Trish was satisfied. Adelia was suitably outfitted and had all the cosmetics that Trish thought were necessary.

Laden with parcels, the two women headed back to the car.

For once, Adelia was reduced to silence.

She sat bolt upright on the front seat as Trish drove swiftly over the winding country roads.

She was even too excited to enjoy the rolling hills and the horses grazing in the meadows, now softly outlined by the sinking afternoon sun.

Paddy was there to open the door when Adelia burst in with her new treasures.

“Little Dee, you’re looking as happy as the first time you rode Majesty round the track,” he said, observing her flushed, happy face.

“This was nearly as exciting, Uncle Paddy.” She laughed and stepped through the doorway.

“Never have I seen so many clothes, so many people. Do you know, I think everyone in America is in a constant hurry, driving, rushing through the stores—nothing ever seems to move slowly. This place Trish took me was amazing—all these shops in one big building, and it had fountains, right inside.” She sighed, then shrugged and grinned.

“I know I should be ashamed for squandering money the way I did, but I’m not. I had a fine time.”

“It was due time, lass, due time.” He kissed her cheek as they entered the living room.

“Well, Paddy, she’s lost her innocence.” Travis rose from an armchair and grinned down at Adelia and her packages. “Trish corrupted her. I knew I shouldn’t have let that sister of mine get hold of her.”

“Your sister is a wonderful lady, Mr. Grant.” Adelia tossed back her head to meet his eyes, chestnut curls falling back from her face. “She has a sweet and generous soul, and a good deal more in the way of manners than some I could name.”

His brow lifted, and he glanced over her head to look at Paddy as the older man struggled not to grin. “It appears Trish has a champion, and one I don’t think I care to challenge.” He shifted his gaze back to Adelia’s irate face. “At least,” he added with a slow, enigmatic smile, “not today.…”