The Incredibly Irritating Irishman: Book Three of the Conn-Mann Chronicles

by Rie Sheridan Rose

  I led the way out of the precinct house, lost in thought.

  ~*~

  The walk back to the boarding house proved most enlightening. As soon as we were out of earshot of the policemen inside the precinct house, Fred whirled on me.

  “My Heavens, Jo! You said he was handsome, but you never said how handsome!”

  “Really? I know he’s not bad looking, but...Winifred Bond! Are you sweet on him?”

  “Honestly, Jo. We just met. How could I have formed any opinion of him whatsoever?” But her cheeks were flushed.

  We changed the subject—I was sensible enough to know pushing her further wouldn’t be likely to get me any additional information, and might cause her to hide future developments from me at well.

  Instead, we discussed her plans to redesign her flying machine using the information she had obtained from my ill-fated ride to the wedding. She would practically have to start from scratch considering the way the machine had crashed down through the trees, but the results should be much more functional.

  It was a fascinating conversation, and made the trip back to the boarding house seem much less tedious than it might have been.

  Ma met me in the hall with a message from Bridget to come to the convent as soon as possible—she had information for me of utmost urgency.

  I sighed. I had quite been looking forward to going out to the warehouse and getting some work done.

  “Tell Alistair—oh, my!” I had completely forgotten that he was out with Seamus. I turned to the landlady, and asked anxiously, “Ma, did the Professor come back?”

  “Sure did. He’s gone out to the warehouse. And he was most grateful to hear that you were alright, dear.”

  That was satisfying. “Was Seamus with him?”

  Ma scowled. “Aye, the scoundrel. I told him to get his things out of my house as soon as he might. He couldn’t get out of here fast enough.”

  That was too bad, in a way. Now he wasn’t going to be where I could keep an eye on him—and tell the police where to find him. I wondered where he would go? I doubted he’d be welcome back at Martha’s home either.

  I turned to Fred, who would be taking a cab to the warehouse while I took my own conveyance the other way to the convent. “Tell Alistair I will be out to the warehouse as soon as I can. I should talk to Bridget as soon as possible. She wouldn’t send a message if it wasn’t important.”

  When I arrived at the convent, I was shown directly to Bridget’s office without delay. The business with the blackmail had made me a welcome guest at the convent I had once called home. Knocking on Bridget’s door, I stepped into the office at her call.

  “You wanted to see me?”

  “Yes, Jo. I found something in Mother Agnes’s personal things. The sorting we did in the file room the other day inspired me to do some cleaning about the office. Goodness, there were boxes in here that hadn’t been opened in three administrations! The important thing is that I found some things belonging to you. Sit, please.”

  I sank into the chair she indicated. “I don’t understand. I thought we’d looked through everything?”

  “These things were stacked in a corner, and in the bottom box. I almost didn’t open it, but something whispered it might be important.”

  Bridget—I still couldn’t think of her as Mother Mary Frances, no matter how hard I tried and, luckily, she didn’t stand on ceremony—moved behind her desk and picked up a slim folder. “This folder has some papers that got separated from your entry paperwork. I don’t know why or how, but I know you need to see them.”

  She handed the folder across the desk. I took a deep breath and opened it, steeling myself to read the contents. The first page was a letter...from my mother.

  Dear Josephine,

  I’m writing this with a heavy heart, because I know you won’t be reading it until I’m no longer there to say these words in person. You will have to grow up alone, and I wish with all my heart it could be different. I know you’ll grow up to be a beautiful young lady, because you’re the bonniest child I’ve ever seen—even if you are my own.

  You’ve a great heart, and a sweet smile. You’ve a questing mind that kept your father and I scrambling to answer your questions. You’ll grow up to be anything you want to be.

  Oh, my dearest girl...you’ll always have our hearts. We will watch over you from above. I leave you the letter enclosed with this note which will allow you to reconnect with your family should you ever wish to. This and the locket I’ve entrusted to the Mother Superior are your only legacy. I so wish it could be more…

  We love you,

  Elizabeth O’Leary Mann...your mother

  My eyes misted with tears. She had held this paper. She had written these words. I couldn’t remember her voice…but I heard the words in my heart.

  “Thank you, Bridget.”

  She leaned across the desk and laid her hand on my arm. “I thought it would bring you peace to see it. The second letter...might not be as easy to read. I apologize for reading them myself, but it was the only way to discover what they said.”

  “I understand, Bridget. You’re the only person left in my life who knew the me the way I used to be...before I walked into that newspaper office and met Alistair Conn.”

  With her I could be the tough, but terrified, child I had been. I could stop pretending I was completely capable at all times.

  I turned to the second letter in the folder. It was folded into an ancient envelope. The addresses were faded and almost illegible. Both were in Ireland, I could tell that. I carefully removed the letter from the envelope.

  Elizabeth,

  I received your letter of Wednesday last. I cannot say that I was pleased to read the contents. You knew my opinion of the Mann boy. That you have chosen to ignore my wishes in this matter shows the respect that you hold for your father. I will always hold you in deep-est affection for the child you once were.

  However, I cannot condone your marriage and impending motherhood. You may consider this letter to be our final parting. My door will be barred if you come to call, as long as you are wife to that man.

  Remember who you are, even in America. Although you have chosen to forsake your birthright, you are an O’Leary, and Three Rivers will always be here should circumstances change enough to warrant it.

  Morgan O’Leary

  I raised puzzled eyes to meet Bridget’s. “This letter is from her father...my grandfather. He disowned her for marrying my father. So why on Earth would Seamus need me? It’s clear my grandfather wanted nothing to do with any of the Manns. He wouldn’t leave me anything at any cost.”

  “He sounds like quite a handful, that Seamus. Be careful of him! He has acted the criminal, after all. I’d wager he just wants to share whatever inheritance there is—the deathbed often changes a person’s mind, and your grandfather may’ve reversed his decision about your mother. More likely, this man wishes to do you out of your share completely. I certainly wouldn’t trust him.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, Bridget. I’d already formed that opinion.”

  “Here’s the last thing I found. I could tell it must be the locket your mother mentioned—her letter wasn’t sealed, as I said—but I didn’t know what this pendant was until I read it. Why it was stuck away in Mother Superior’s desk, I have no idea, but here it is.”

  I could guess. Mother Agnes might’ve taken a vow of poverty, but she hadn’t lost a love of jewelry and fine things.

  I took the silver locket Bridget held out to me. It was a large oval with a filigree face.

  My hand trembled as I opened the clasp. Inside was a miniature of my parents. The painter had caught their likenesses much better than the blurred tintype I’d been left with. For one thing, you could see the fire of her hair, and the green of his eyes. My mother looked just like me. The other half of the locket held a curl of baby-fine coppery hair tied with a bit of black ribbon.

  My lip trembled. I was on the verge of a complete breakdown.

/>   Bridget came around the desk and hugged me. “Let them come, darlin’. I know it’s a lot to take in.”

  I took her advice.

  Opal went about her work with a song in her heart and a smile on her lips. Caroline teased her about the change in her demeanor, but Opal didn’t mind. She felt like everything she had ever wanted was close enough to touch.

  Victor came every night, and they talked in the kitchen. She didn’t know why he wanted to spend all his time with her when he could be with the fancy girls out front, but she appreciated the company. They talked about the books she read—and he often brought her new ones he particularly wanted to discuss.

  He was the most wonderful man she had ever met, but she was afraid of his friend Thomas, who sometimes accompanied him to the house. She had walked in on Mrs. Carrouthers and Thomas one night in the midst of an argument; and his eyes, when he saw her, bored into her very soul…

  — Garrett Goldthwaite

  Old-Fashioned Opal and the House of Ill-Repute

  Chapter 16

  I’m not usually one to burst into tears at the drop of a hat, but I must admit I felt much better for a good long cry. It allowed me to think clearly again.

  This new information was very interesting.

  My grandfather wrote of a “Three Rivers.” The way he used it, it sounded like an estate of some sort. And people with enough money to name their houses were usually very rich indeed—which fit the fact he was supposed to be an earl.

  He had disowned my mother...but had he had a deathbed change of heart? Seamus’s behavior seemed to imply so.

  Was it possible I had an inheritance waiting for me in Ireland? If I did, how would I go about claiming it? Leonora might know what to do since, as I mentioned, she was the only person I knew for sure had traveled extensively.

  I sighed, blowing the fringe of bangs from my forehead. This was all so complicated. And I was getting no work done for Alistair. Although I seemed to be distracted away from my duties quite often, I did enjoy it, and I was learning so much from my colleagues. However, even the best of employers would give up on me at this rate and send me packing. What good was an assistant who never assisted? Alistair would be quite within his rights to sack me.

  The warehouse was too far to walk. I decided to hire a hansom and join Alistair and Fred at the workshop. Perhaps we could get a few tests done before the end of the day. It would be good to know Phaeton’s complete capabilities.

  By the time I found a cabbie willing to go all the way to the warehouse, it was almost too late to bother, but I was determined to be a good employee...for once.

  When I got out of the cab, the lights in the warehouse were blazing brightly in the growing dusk. I hoped everyone was still here. If not, I might have to sleep in the workshop.

  I opened the front door of the warehouse, and was pleased to see the others still busy about the space. Fred and Herbert were working on something to do with the airship he still hoped to salvage from the wreck of the Pearl.

  Fred rushed across the warehouse and gave me a hug. “Did you have a good discussion with Bridget?”

  I nodded, grateful for her support.

  Alistair was puttering on his latest invention in his own corner. He turned with a smile, and then also hurried over. “Are you all right, Jo?” He gave me an awkward one-handed hug of his own. “I can’t believe Seamus is such a bounder! I was so impressed by his work…”

  “Not now, Alistair.” I melted into his embrace. It felt so good to be with the people I loved.

  Reluctantly, I broke the hug. “We need to get back to work, Alistair. Have you managed to solve the problem of the lift?”

  I hadn’t worked with him on this project as much as I would have liked, but I knew the basic idea. Of course, he’d barely had time to work on it himself with all the distractions of the last few weeks. I was amazed he’d gotten as far with it as he had. Perhaps he’d done some of it in Ohio. He could have worked out a great deal on paper ahead of time...

  I stepped over to the counter where his invention lay, circling it in admiration. “I tell you, Alistair—I’d be the perfect test case.”

  “No!”

  “But, Alistair...”

  “No, Jo. I mean it. It would be far too dangerous.”

  “For whom? You? I don’t see how there could be a consideration as to my own safety if it’s my idea. You certainly can’t test it yourself with that arm! And it’s no more dangerous than some of the escapades you and your cousin Herbert over there got up to behind Aunt Emily’s back over the years.”

  It was gratifying to know that I could still make my employer flush with embarrassment...or maybe it was just temper. Whatever the case, Alistair was turning red as a beet, and I was beginning to worry about his health.

  All I had done was ask to test his latest invention for him. It seemed imminently practical to me. I was at least thirty pounds lighter and twelve inches shorter than he. It would therefore make it much easier for the machine to lift me into the air.

  The object of our current contention was, theoretically, an apparatus capable of lifting the wearer into the air and propelling them for quite some distance before needing more fuel. It appeared much safer than the prototype of Fred’s flying machine had been. The thought of flying again was making my blood sing, and I was determined that this time I wouldn’t have as precipitous an ending to my journey.

  I circled the apparatus again, admiring the gleam of its copper tubing and brass fittings. Whatever Alistair invented was always so elegant and beautiful as well as practical. Though, perhaps, I was a trifle prejudiced by the admiration that extended to creator as well as creation.

  “You know I’m right, Alistair. For the maiden test, it’s just more logical to use...well, a maiden. You can go next to test the strength, but if it can’t lift even my weight, all you’d do is crash and break it if you tried.”

  “Josephine Mann, you’re the most exasperating woman on the face of the earth!”

  I took this as a sign that he was weakening.

  “It isn’t as if I’d be going anywhere. We all agreed the first test would be here in the warehouse with the roof closed. I can only go up about twenty feet. At the worst, I’d break a limb of my own if I fell.”

  His face paled. I would like to think this was because he was worried for my safety...but it was more likely to be at the thought of the delicate machine being damaged in a crash. Although, having recently broken a limb of his own, he might actually be thinking of the pain I might endure.

  Before I could say anything further, the massive figure of Phaeton stepped out of the shadows and plodded to Alistair’s side. As always, I was struck with admiration for the gigantic automaton. Even if he had been the cause of much anxiety and danger when he was first constructed, it had not been his fault. And it had, after all, led to the blackguard Paul Blessant being placed behind bars for a very long time.

  “Yes, Phaeton?” Alistair turned to the mechanical man with obvious relief.

  “You asked me to remind you that you’re due for dinner with your mother, Master Alistair,” the automaton intoned.

  “Oh, yes. We must go home and dress, Josephine.”

  I was content to let the conversation go for now. But I would get my ride on the apparatus. Of that, I had no doubt.

  ~*~

  We were only a few moments late to Aunt Emily’s for dinner. I wasn’t satisfied with the state of my coiffure, but I bowed to Alistair’s impatience.

  Vanessa met us with a smile and took Alistair’s coat. “They’re waiting in the dining room, Professor, Miss Jo. Your mother has some news for you.”

  “Oh?” Alistair frowned. “That usually isn’t a good thing.”

  “You’ll like this news,” Vanessa replied with a wink.

  My curiosity was aroused. What had Leonora done now?

  She and Emily rose when we entered the room. “Alistair, darling!” Leonora caroled as she came to offer her cheek. “I’ve the best
news for you!”

  “What is it, Mother?”

  “I’ve found my new dwelling, dear. It took me forever, but I’ve finally found something I like. You’ll love it. They even say it’s haunted…isn’t that wicked fun?

  “Of course, it means I won’t be so close at hand any longer, but somehow I don’t think that will trouble you.” She dimpled.

  “I’ll miss you, Leonora,” I said, and I meant it.

  She gave me a hug. “Don’t worry, Josephine,” she whispered in my ear, “it’s actually three streets away. I can be here at a moment’s notice if you need me.”

  I did feel better for that.

  “Now, come to the dining room and tell us all about this man who’s causing such consternation to Ma and yourselves. Roderick has been filling us in on what he can, but he doesn’t know all the details, and details make everything so much more interesting, don’t you think?”

  Alistair looked as if he were in pain, but I surmised he didn’t want to discuss Seamus any more than necessary. Considering that villain’s actions so far, though, I felt it was better Leonora and Aunt Emily be on alert, so I followed her into the dining room and told them everything that had happened so far.

  Opal was emptying the indoor trash bins into the containers outside the house when she spotted Thomas skulking around the yard. It gave her a moment’s pause. What on earth was the man up to? She dithered for a moment…should she send him packing or merely tell someone she had seen him?

  By the time she had made up her mind to confront him, he was gone.

  She hurried to Mrs. Carrouthers’ office, rapping on the door, but entering without waiting for a summons. Something about the man overwhelmed all her sense of propriety.

  “Ma’am—that Thomas fellow was lurking outside the house just now. Should I contact the police?”