Brides of Virginia

by Hake, Cathy Marie

  At least I didn’t make my feelings known. I don’t have to be humiliated that way. Sure and certain as can be, I’ll never think of him favorably again. It may well be my job to serve the whole family, and I’ll do it to the best of my ability, but I don’t have to waste my breath talking to him.

  Duncan thought it quite telling that he had such cooperation with his scheme. Aye, the children thoroughly approved. He didn’t have to give them the name of the lass whose heart he wanted to net. They all guessed, and he didn’t bother to deny a word.

  It hadn’t taken much at all to enlist their help. Duncan simply went out and came home with an armful of mistletoe. He’d no more than walked in the door, and Lily peered down at him from the second floor. Her face lit with glee. “I’ll fetch Anna Kathleen. We’ll help!”

  In almost no time at all, she and Anna tied the mistletoe into dainty little balls and sprigs. Timothy and Titus came over to investigate what they were doing and offered to help Duncan tack up the mistletoe in every doorway. It was gratifying, knowing they supported his plan.

  Timothy stood back and stared at their handiwork. He smirked and elbowed Titus. “Our Duncan’s a man on a mission.”

  “I’m thinking it’s a dangerous one,” Anna chimed in as she looked up at the doorway where they’d just hung the last sprig. Her brows puckered; then she stood on tiptoe to straighten out a twisted ribbon. While Duncan wondered how she’d managed to turn into a fastidious young woman under his very nose, Anna gave him a pitying look. “Brigit’s good and mad. I don’t blame her one bit.”

  “I can’t see why.” Titus propped his hands on his slim hips.

  “He’s too young to understand.” Lily tilted her nose at a superior angle.

  “Hey. I’m older than you are!”

  Lily gave her brother a hopeless look and shook her head so emphatically, her dark curls bounced. “What woman would want a man who didn’t court her?”

  “He’s got mistletoe all over the house. She can’t possibly miss it.”

  “Worse,” Anna said softly, “what woman would want a man who didn’t believe in her?”

  “What kids wouldn’t want some of Cook’s gingerbread?” Duncan pointed toward the kitchen. “I’ll bet you could talk her into letting you have some. Can’t you smell it?”

  They went off to the kitchen, but Duncan stayed behind and scowled at a small, fuzzy mistletoe leaf on the floor. Anna’s words troubled Duncan. Does Brigit think I don’t believe in her?

  Never a man to stand by and do nothing once a problem was identified, Duncan sought Brigit at once. At least this time Emily won’t call her away. That thought did him no good. Duncan methodically searched the house from attic to basement and couldn’t find the woman. Out of frustration he finally pulled Emily away from the piano teacher who was discussing music selections for the girls as if the decisions were of the gravest importance.

  “I wasn’t done yet,” Emily protested.

  “You can go back in a second. Just tell me where Brigit is.”

  “Oh, Mama needed her.” Emily patted his arm reassuringly. “Da came by this morning and asked if Brigit couldn’t help out. According to him, Mama and Brigit had some last-minute details to do on a Christmas gift.”

  Duncan yanked on his coat and headed for the door. Goodhew nodded and opened the door as he murmured, “Happy hunting, sir.”

  “Practically broke my knuckles dragging her back to the main house, so where does she go? Back to the cottage,” Duncan muttered to himself. “The woman’s a thief after all. She’s robbed me of my sanity.”

  “She’s robbed you of your heart, if I might say so.”

  Duncan gave Goodhew an exasperated grin. “You may not say so—even if you are twice my age and a valued person to my family.”

  “Close to thrice your age.” Goodhew’s mouth and cheeks looked as impassive as his voice sounded, but his eyes sparkled with merriment.

  “I’m going to go talk some sense into my woman.”

  “You’re a better man than I am, sir. I’ve been married thirty-five years and have yet to accomplish that feat, but it is good to hear you call Miss Brigit your woman, sir.”

  Duncan left without another word. He marched down the road to the caretaker’s cottage and noticed John had already managed to get the door replaced. Worried about Brigit when he’d kicked it in, Duncan hadn’t given a thought to the damage, so the whole thing lasted only one slim day after the scuffle ere it turned into kindling. The new one looked sturdy, but he didn’t bother to knock.

  “Well, what a lovely surprise!” His mother smiled up at him.

  Duncan glanced about and folded his arms akimbo. “Enough of you women conspiring against me. Where did you put her?”

  “I haven’t put anyone anywhere. Would you like a cup of tea?”

  “I want Brigit. Em said she’s here, and I’m tired of this game. Where is she?”

  “Oh, Brigit was here this morning. She’s such a lovely girl—talented, too. Did you see the wondrous tablecloth she embroidered for the twins? A tea party tablecloth, she called it. Said they—”

  “Mama, you can sing praises about Brigit’s talents another day. Tell me where she’s gone.”

  Da wandered in. “Why, didn’t you know? Em’s good about making sure her maids have days off, she is. Thoughtful. Little Brigit is thoughtful, too. Did your mama tell you—”

  “Where is Brigit?” Duncan didn’t want to be rude, but he’d lost what little patience he had.

  “The lass said this is her afternoon off.”

  Duncan headed out the door. Barely containing his frustration, he managed to shut instead of slam it—but only because he respected his parents so much. Tim wasn’t wrong one bit—I’m a man on a mission. He momentarily wished he’d ridden a horse and knew he could easily go to the stable to fetch one, but a walk would settle him down. In his present frame of mind, he’d likely scare the wits right out of Brigit. I’ve been operating under a grave misconception, and all it accomplished was to muddy the waters. Now that I’ve figured out the problem, I’m going to solve it—just as soon as I catch up with that woman.

  “Brigit.”

  Brigit froze when she heard her name. She’d been holding Da’s arm, listening to him as they walked out of the ramshackle tenement building. Everything in her rebelled. She refused to turn.

  “Why, now who’s that handsome lad callin’ out your name?” Da stepped forward a bit and took a good gander at Duncan.

  Oh, she’d stuck to her guns and not taken the slightest peep at who had spoken—but she’d know Duncan’s voice anywhere. “It’s cold out, Da. Let’s get going.”

  To her consternation, her father didn’t budge. Duncan did. He came on over and shook her father’s hand. “Duncan O’Brien, sir. I’ll be wanting to speak with you about your daughter just as soon as I talk with her a bit.”

  Her father tapped the toe of his boot on the ground. “Oh, so that’s the way of it, is it?”

  Brigit finally looked up at Duncan. She glowered at him; he winked. “He’s a rascal, Da. Don’t waste your breath.”

  “Of course he’s a rascal. What with a fine Irish name like O’Brien, I’d have to expect as much. He can’t be all bad if he’s taken a liking to you.”

  “Da!”

  “I came to walk her home, sir.”

  “Now there’s a fine man. Manners. Protective.” Da nodded approvingly. His eyes narrowed. “Just whose home?”

  “The Newcombs. Emily Newcomb is my sister.”

  Da’s chuckle made Brigit’s stomach churn. He gave her a bit of a squeeze. “This Duncan’s something, all right. Everyone knows John Newcomb owns the shipyard, and your young man’s standing here—”

  “He’s not my young man!”

  Her father tilted her face up to his and said softly, “I know you too well, daughter. Your strong reaction tells me you hold some feelings for the man, and his presence here tells me plenty.”

  A scalding wave of embarrassm
ent washed over her. “Da!”

  “From what I see, the pair of you need to settle a wee bit of a tiff.”

  “We’ll get things worked out, Mr. Murphy.” Duncan took hold of her other hand.

  She snatched it back.

  Da gave her a kiss. “Off with you now. Be happy.”

  Brigit watched in shock as her father walked back inside, effectively abandoning her.

  Chapter 22

  It’s cold out. Let’s get going.”

  Brigit jolted. “Don’t you dare repeat my words and use them against me.”

  “Do you want me to hire a ride for us, or would you rather walk?”

  “Both.” She flashed him a heated look. “We’ll each do one of those.”

  “We’ll walk. The chilly air might cool your temper.” He said the words so blandly that he managed to get a fair hold of her arm and start leading her off before she even realized what he’d done.

  Brigit dug in her heels and hissed, “I need my job. You’re going to spoil it all.”

  “If you’d cooperate even the least little bit, that wouldn’t be a problem.”

  She let out a long-suffering sigh. “You’re making a scene, and the only way I’ll make it through is simply to go along. It doesn’t mean I have to talk to you at all.”

  “That’s fine.” They started to walk again, and he added, “I’ll be happy to do all the talking.”

  Brigit quickened her pace. “You’re impossible. The next thing I know, you’ll be blaming all of this on me because I helped you escape that day. I can’t regret it though. No, I don’t. I spared those lasses being married off to the likes of you. You would have broken their tender hearts.”

  “I’m thinkin’ you’re the one with the tender heart, Brigit.”

  “Can’t you just leave me alone?”

  He curled his hand around her. “No.”

  Brigit could feel tears burning behind her eyes. She refused to cry. “Let go of me. I declare, if I weren’t such a lady, I’d smack you.”

  “I can see I’m perfectly safe, then. It’s clear as a cloudless sky that you’re a lady.”

  “Don’t you try to be charming, Captain O’Brien. I won’t fall for it. No, I most certainly won’t. I already know the truth.”

  “What truth is that?”

  “Shakespeare said it quite well in Hamlet: ‘A man can smile and smile and still be a villain.’” Brigit moaned and braced her forehead with one hand as she stared at the slushy ground. I can’t believe I said that to him. Oh dear Lord above, I’m digging myself a grave here. If I say another word, I’ll likely lose my job.

  “So I’m a villain.”

  Brigit didn’t reply. She concentrated on the toes of her shoes. The hem of her blue dress was getting a wee bit damp. Rain had fallen very briefly today and promptly iced the edge of the path. Not that it should matter. She really didn’t care a whit about her appearance. It wasn’t as if she wanted to impress anyone—especially Duncan.

  They walked in silence for a ways. Duncan shot her a bold look and mused aloud again, “So I’m a villain. What is my crime?”

  “You’ve stolen my peace of mind,” Brigit snapped. She lifted her arms in the air in an impatient, flinging gesture and started to walk faster still. “I can’t believe you just prodded me into admitting that. Don’t you dare act as if it just happened, because you planned it. You’re a man who plots his course carefully, so I know you meant to hound me. Didn’t anyone ever teach you it’s rude to provoke a woman?” She groaned. She’d told him she wasn’t going to speak to him, and here she was, babbling. “If I speak to you any longer, someone is going to certify me a lunatic.”

  “I could lock you in the attic. The door sometimes sticks. No, wait. I can’t do that. You’d end up breaking your neck, climbing out on the roof.”

  “Your humor is—”

  “To mask how I’ve lost my own peace.”

  Brigit cast a glance at him and burst into tears. “You dreadful man. Don’t you even begin thinking I feel the smallest scrap of pity for you.”

  “I don’t want your pity; I want your forgiveness.”

  When she started crying, she lost track of where she was going. Brigit plowed into a bush, and Duncan yanked her back and turned her around. He opened his greatcoat, pulled her to his chest, and wrapped her in his arms and warmth. He held her while she soaked his shirt with tears.

  Brigit sucked in a choppy breath and managed to hiccup in the most unladylike way as she let it out. She muttered against Duncan’s chest, “’Tis said God watches out for children and fools. He surely must be watching me now. Honest and true, I’ve made a fool of myself sobbing like a baby.”

  “God is nigh, my sweet. I have no doubt of that. I’ve been calling upon Him to help straighten out this mess, and it’s time we talk. I’ve hurt you badly, and I’m sorry to the marrow of my bones for that.”

  Brigit wiggled out of his arms. Duncan promptly shed his coat and draped it around her shoulders. He held it there by wrapping his arm about her and nudging her to walk.

  “I’ve plenty to say and am trying to decide where to begin. I was so busy fighting Emily’s matchmaking plans that I closed my eyes to any woman. When I took the lads on that voyage with me, I was miserable. Oh—’twasn’t on account of them. ‘Twas because from the first time I set foot on a Newcomb ship, I’ve loved to go to sea. That whole trip I didn’t find a moment’s pleasure with sailing. All I did was think of you.”

  Brigit trudged on in silence.

  “By the time I came back, I’d determined you were all I could ever hope for in a bride—a solid Christian woman, you lit up the room when you came in, and you lit up my heart. I nearly kissed you during the games on Phillip’s birthday, but I came to my senses in time. I didn’t want to give anyone call to cast aspersions on your character.”

  He stepped over a fallen branch and lifted her over. Before he set her back down, Duncan waited until Brigit looked into his eyes. Sincerity shone in the depths of his eyes. “I’m ashamed of what I’ll be saying next, but I cannot ask forgiveness if I don’t confess.”

  Brigit bit her lip and nodded.

  Duncan tucked her close to his side, and they continued toward home. “John and Emily told me we had a thief. They’d narrowed down the possibilities until ‘twas one of the maids. We talked long into the night. The Bible says perfect love casts out fear. My love for you was far from perfect; and as John and I started to piece together the facts, they all pointed at you.”

  “I never did anything!”

  “I know.” He sighed. “A book and a fountain pen were taken. Trudy and Fiona can’t read or write. Since Trudy started acting moon-eyed, Em always assigned her to work with someone else, so we knew she couldn’t have taken the fan or cameo. Fiona is too clumsy to sneak into any room unnoticed, though we agreed she spends a fair amount of time with the twins and might have taken the doll.”

  “Phillip admitted he took the doll.”

  “Sure and enough, Brigit, he did. The problem was, we didn’t know that at the time. Nothing had ever been stolen until you started working for John and Emily. That alone weighed heavily against you. Worst of all, you’d discovered the little shepherdess statue was missing, but then I saw you with a bundle. You stopped outside your parents’ building and boasted about having things to please your mother.”

  “Cook gave me apricots for M—” She stopped herself, then shrieked, “You followed me?”

  “Shh. I’d gone to vote and saw you walking down the street. At the time I needed to figure out where your father was so I could ask him for your hand—so, yes, I did follow you. At the last minute I recalled a promise I’d made to Em. I told her when I found the right woman, she’d be the first to know. I couldn’t very well break my word, so I came home. I went to her, but that’s when she and John told me about the missing things.”

  “So instead you condemned me for being a thief and wanted to chop off my hand.” Every last word made her tight throat a
che.

  “All of the evidence was there, Brigit. Wrong as it turned out to be, it stacked up against you. By now you know how Edward hornswoggled my sister Anna into a sham marriage. I hadn’t recovered from that. My pride had me believing you’d been hurting my family right under my nose. The betrayal I felt cut deep. When I saw you on the roof, the last flicker of hope I held got snuffed out.”

  “So now you think to woo me? No, Duncan. I don’t want a man who cannot hold more faith in me than that.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.”

  Brigit closed her eyes in horror. She’d just presumed far too much and humiliated herself. Duncan wouldn’t let her pull away though.

  “I looked into your eyes that night and knew deep in my heart that you couldn’t have stolen a thing. I went against John’s orders and took you to my parents. I wanted you to be sheltered until I could solve the mystery. All along I tried to prove to you that I stood by your side. I came by each day. I made sure you still got your salary, and the household staff figured you were special because I’d chosen you to go help my mama. I even put that Bible verse in the sewing box for you.”

  “You did that? The verse came from you?”

  “Aye, Brigit. I wanted to encourage you. Until I cleared your name, I had no right to speak my heart. I was trying my hardest to brace you up, but I’ve come to see you didn’t understand.”

  “How could I? You’d been trying to trap me all along. I thought you were hovering just to scare me because you thought I’d betray your parents.”

  Duncan groaned. “I’m accustomed to working on a ship with a crew of men. As it turns out, I’m none too good at figuring out how a woman thinks.”

  They’d finally arrived at the back of the estate. Duncan turned her to face out over the ocean. Ships bobbed along the dock. “God’s given me a love for you, Brigit Murphy. It’s big as the ocean. Our ship went through a mighty storm and got stuck on treacherous shoals. Tide’s coming in, and I want our ship to float free. With your forgiveness and God’s blessing, we could sail through life together.” He turned loose of her and walked around so he stood directly in front of her. Taking her hand in his, he knelt right in a thin layer of ice. “I’m not just asking your forgiveness, Brigit. I’m asking for your hand and your heart. I love you, lass. Marry me.”