Shannon's Daughter

by Karen Welch

  “I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with me except my timing.” When he stared blankly, she grimaced. “It’s that time of the month. I’ve had horrible cramps all morning.”

  “I’m sorry. Can I get you some aspirin? Or maybe you could find a quiet place to lie down for a bit.” Now it was Peg who stared, and he smiled. “Devoted son, remember? Poor Mother has always suffered cramps every month. Migraines, too.”

  “You really are a most unusual man. I shouldn’t even have said anything like that, and here you are understanding. And no thank you to the aspirin. I tried that earlier and right before we went down the aisle, I lost my breakfast.”

  “You poor girl!” Reflexively, he drew her closer. “How have you been otherwise?”

  “I haven’t gotten much sleep. But I’ve done a lot of productive thinking.”

  He hesitated. A crowded dance floor was hardly the place for this conversation. “Have you?”

  She nodded slowly, gazing over his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter, Kendall. It doesn’t change anything.”

  His knees shaking, he missed a step as he drew back, trying to see her face. “Peg, of course it does.”

  “Not really. I told you I never plan to marry. I know we’ll have to be discreet, but no one will think anything of our going around together. We are part of the same family, after all. As long as it won’t cause you any sort of trouble, with Jenny’s family, I mean, I don’t see why we can’t go on the way we’ve been.” She continued to stare past him, her face set with an amazing lack of expression.

  “I don’t know what to say. Especially not here. We should talk later. I don’t believe you’ve really thought this through.”

  She shrugged gently. “I have, you know. But you can take me home when this is all over. We can talk as much as you like then.” He felt the subtle pressure of her hand on his shoulder, as reassuring as the smile in her eyes when they finally met his. In response, his heart seemed to erupt from beneath the weight of the past days and he drew her closer.

  “Have I ever told you how much I adore you?”

  “You’ve hinted at it. That’s something else we can talk about later.”

  Michael Shannon buttonholed him briefly, inquiring after his job and then informing him that he expected him to look after his “little girl” this summer. “She’s sure she can make it all on her own, and she probably can, to give her credit. But I’ll feel better knowing you’re around to keep an eye on her. Girls like Peg attract too much attention at times.”

  He’d wanted to ask about whatever had gone on in New York, but hadn’t wanted to give away his knowledge of Brendan O’Hara in case he’d been the source of the problem. Instead, he said casually that Peg wasn’t all that thrilled about Hammonds dogging her steps around London.

  “All the more reason for you to spend time with her, then, son. She doesn’t mind having you around at all.” Michael’s broad wink had left him with the uneasy thought that for Peg’s father, their future was still a real possibility.

  Four o’clock saw the newlyweds dashing to their getaway car. Amid showers of rice, the bouquet was tossed into the hands of one of the younger Shannon cousins, an adolescent who reminded Kendall of Peg all those years earlier. When he turned to tell her so, he found her holding her head with a shaky hand and visibly wilting. Just in time, he caught her with a steadying arm around the waist, turning her back inside the hotel entrance.

  “Here now, you’re not going to faint on me are you?” Her answer was to moan and slump onto a nearby chair, dropping her head onto her knees. “I’m going to find a doctor. God knows there are plenty of those about.”

  “No, I’ll be okay,” she sighed thickly.

  “Maybe so, but it won’t hurt to have someone take a look at you. I just promised your father I’d look after you, and that’s what I mean to do.”

  Lifting her head, she smiled shakily. “What you’re going to do is take me home. I just need to get out of this silly dress and curl up with a hot water bottle. Then you can look after me.”

  The crowd outside was breaking up, the stragglers drifting back through the lobby. With admirable determination, Peg straightened and forced a brighter smile. “Would you mind getting my bag? It’s still at the table. Then you can hail us a cab and we’ll make our escape.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m positive. If you see Agnes, tell her we’re leaving and I’ll call her tomorrow.”

  When he found Agnes talking with one of the catering staff, he immediately detected suspicion in her eyes, once again magnified behind her glasses. “I suppose you’re taking Peg back to Brown’s?”

  “Yes.” He held up the pink handbag in evidence. “As a matter of fact, she wanted me to tell you she’ll phone you tomorrow. She’s not feeling the best, I’m afraid.”

  “I know. She hasn’t slept all week. You have a lot to answer for, Kendall, if you don’t do the right thing by Peg.”

  He swallowed hard. “The right thing?”

  “You might as well know, she told me all about New York and if you let her down now, I’ll be very disappointed in you.” Flashes of what Peg might have told Agnes in the depths of her disappointment froze him in place. Before he could come up with a response, Agnes went on, “There’s nothing wrong with a good healthy relationship between two mature adults of the opposite sex, Kendall. Why you’ve gone all prudish on Peg is beyond me.”

  “Prudish,” he echoed.

  “She told me you refused. . .” Agnes dropped her voice to a hiss, casting owlish eyes around the room before finishing, “. . .to be intimate with her. She said you were insisting on getting reacquainted or some such foolishness. Every woman knows a man only has to be so well-acquainted before he gives in to his impulses. Honestly, there are times when I wonder if Maeve wasn’t right about you not taking a normal interest in women.”

  Several answers popped into his head, but he chose what he hoped was the least inflammatory. “I must say, Aggie, I never expected to have this discussion with you of all people. That said, I appreciate your concern, but I believe Peg and I have worked out our difficulties. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to Brown’s to do precisely the right thing by Peg.” With a pointed nod, he turned on his heel and swinging the pink handbag, strode out of the ballroom and across the lobby.

  “Feeling any better?” Stopping in front of Peg’s chair, he held out his hand.

  “Yes. Are we ready? Did you find Agnes?” Taking his hand, she got to her feet.

  “I did. And that’s something else we’re going to talk about later. I had no idea you and Agnes had become such confidantes in the past few days, but she just gave me a lecture on. . .now how did she put it. . ‘healthy relationships between mature adults of the opposite sex,’ and accused me of going ‘all prudish on you.’”

  As he had anticipated, Peg smiled innocently. “You were right when you said Agnes has hidden depths. It turns out she and I have the same view of many things, including ‘healthy relationships between mature adults of the opposite sex.’ Her particular mature adult is named Gavin O’Rourke, the history instructor at Agnes’s school. From what she tells me, their relationship is not the least bit prudish.”

  Chapter Thirty-four

  “I’ve ordered you some supper and a hot water bottle. Now what else can I do?” Shrugging out of his coat, he draped it carefully over a chair, following suit with waistcoat and tie. Cufflinks dropped one by on onto the nightstand, and he rolled up his cuffs, at which point he finally began to relax. The day had been long and varied and it was far from over yet.

  Through the bathroom door, he heard her sigh with what he hoped was pleasure. “Nothing. Can I eat in the tub, or do I have to get out?”

  He chuckled, resisting the urge to open the door. “We’ll see. I suppose I could come in and spoon feed you while you soak.”

  Her low, husky laugh warmed him to the soles of his stocking feet. While he hung her dress in the wardrobe and tucked the pink satin sl
ippers back into their box, he eyed the luxury of the room. No wonder Peg had looked at his bed so unenthusiastically. This was hardly on a par with the brownstone, but it far surpassed anything he had to offer.

  “Kendall, do you see my robe in there?”

  “It’s right here. Are you ready for it?”

  “No, but you can bring it to me anytime.” He was sure he heard her laugh softly.

  “Oh, no. I can’t afford to fall into that tub wearing a hired suit. I’ll just hang it over the door.” After the torment of the past few days, he marveled on their return to this kind of ease with one another. “I’m going to let room service in. I ordered soup for you. I thought something light would be best.”

  Signing for the meal, he silently prayed no one would question his authority, or his attire, for that matter. Peg had mentioned discretion, but he wondered if she’d thought far enough on that subject. On the other hand, her father had been the one to suggest he spend as much time as possible with her. Maybe everyone from the family to the hotel staff would just assume he was taking his cousinly role to heart. For his part, his imagination was wafting between traditional courtship and moving his clothes into the wardrobe alongside Peg’s. He dared not speculate on what Peg had in mind.

  “That smells good.” He turned abruptly to see her standing in the doorway wrapped in her bathrobe, the wedding flowers still in her hair. “Did you order something for yourself?”

  “A sandwich. I hope that was all right?”

  “Of course it was. You can have anything you want.” She sat in the chair he held for her and smiled up at him. “Relax. Brown’s prides itself on protecting the privacy of their guests. That’s one reason Dad and I decided on my staying here this summer. No one will think anything of my having a guest for supper, and definitely not my cousin.”

  “And if your cousin should be here for breakfast?”

  “Not that either. Would you like to stay for breakfast?” She fixed him with a gaze so warm he felt beads of sweat break out on his brow.

  “I don’t know. That all depends on whether you invite me.”

  Her answer was a satisfied moan as she sipped the rich golden broth. “This is really good. Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot! Here’s your hot water bottle.” He leapt to his feet, taking up the flannel wrapped bottle and tucking it on her lap. “How’s that?”

  “Nice. I’m feeling a lot better. It’s just one of those annoying girl things that always comes around at the wrong time.”

  “Do you always feel faint, when it comes around?”

  “Sometimes, but that probably had more to do with not sleeping all week. I’m sure I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.” Laying down her spoon, she rested her chin on her hand. “Kendall, I meant what I said. It doesn’t matter. I want us to be together.”

  “What does that involve, precisely?”

  “I want to see you every minute I can. I know I’m only here for three months, but I can come back at Christmas and again next summer. If you have some time free, I can fly you to New York. At least for a while, people will just think we’re dating, which is all right isn’t it? Since no one knows about Jenny.”

  “I suppose. I don’t think her parents will say anything. They know I’ve seen other women in the past.”

  “I don’t want you to feel guilty. Can you be with me without feeling you’re being unfaithful to her?”

  He grimaced. “How can I be unfaithful to a woman who doesn’t recognize me anymore?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what that must be like, but I would understand if you felt wrong about us.” Her lower lip trembled slightly and his heart twisted.

  “The only thing wrong with ‘us’ is what it means for you. You’re denying yourself the kind of happiness Maeve will have with Reggie. You’re sacrificing the chance to have your own home and children with a man who can share his whole life with you, not just a few weeks here and there in a hotel room somewhere.”

  He waited, watching her study the tablecloth, tracing her finger back and forth next to her plate. “Are you finished?” When she looked up, there was an angry spark in her eyes.

  “Yes. I think so.”

  “Then listen to me, please. I have told you repeatedly that life you describe is not something I’ve ever wanted. It isn’t even something I could have if I did want it. There are too many other things I have to take care of to be a wife to anyone. What I have with you, or what I want with you, is perfect for me. And it turns out it will work for you too, if you’ll let it. We care about each other, understand each other, and I think we can make each other happy, a few weeks here and there wherever we are. Now tell me again what’s wrong with our being together.”

  “Nothing, when you put it that way. Remind me how old you are?”

  “You know very well I’ll be twenty-one next month. And don’t you dare say I’m too young to make a decision like this.” The spark flared to a flash and she gripped the edge of the table.

  “Not at all. I was going to say that I admire your maturity and your pragmatism. I’m afraid I haven’t reached that level yet. You see, love, I still want those things, the home and the family. I would want them with you if it were possible. I’m too much of a romantic to be completely resigned to never having them, I suppose.” He watched as the anger drained from her face, giving way to compassion.

  “I’m so sorry you can’t have what you want. I guess I was hoping what we have would be enough.”

  Before he realized what he was doing, he was on his feet, pulling her into his arms, aware of the hot water bottle sliding to the floor with a thud. As if she understood his loss for words, she offered her face, letting him spread kisses from her forehead to her cheeks and finally to her lips. He tasted tears, not sure whether they were his or hers or perhaps both.

  “Enough?” he gasped. “Peg, you are infinitely more than I deserve. And you are everything I want. Can you forgive me for wishing I could give you more in return?”

  “You mean like marriage vows and a little ivy-covered cottage with a white picket fence? Kendall, I’m not that kind of girl. All I want is to know you care, that you understand me, and that you want me. You’ve already given me that. Please don’t sell yourself short. You’re giving me exactly what I want.”

  “Promise me one thing?”

  “I’ll try.”

  “If at any time you want out, for whatever reason, you’ll tell me?”

  She smiled, skimming a finger along his jaw. “That depends. Can you promise me the same thing?”

  “I would be mad to ever want out. I adore you. Always and forever.”

  “My feelings exactly.”

  He stayed the night with her, holding her while she slept. At dawn he eased from the bed, dressed again in the hired suit and slipped down the rear stairs to walk home just as the sun rose. By nine, he was back at Brown’s, striding through the lobby with a cheerful nod to the desk clerk on duty. Showered, shaved and dressed for the day in his weekend best gray trousers and navy blazer, his knock on Peg’s door was answered by a sweet-faced young woman in a blue uniform.

  “Good morning! Is Miss Shannon available?”

  “May I say who’s inquiring, sir?” The maid seemed skeptical. He was grateful to see her protective instincts launch into gear.

  “I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself. Kendall Gregg. And you are?” The girl might be protective, but she was giving him a thorough appraisal, her eyes traveling bolding over his frame until he felt himself blush.

  “Alice, sir. I’m Miss Shannon’s personal maid here at Brown’s.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alice.” Now it was Alice who blushed, apparently awarding him a passing mark, at least in the looks department. “Is she available, or have I come at a bad time?” Beyond the door he caught sight of Peg standing in the bedroom door, struggling to suppress an impish grin.

  “It’s alright, Alice. I don’t mind if Kendall se
es me in my nightclothes.”

  “Good morning. How are you feeling this morning?” Crossing the room, he dropped a chaste kiss on her cheek. A quick assessment confirmed dark smudges beneath her eyes and a definite lack of color in her cheeks. “Did she tell you she was ill last night, Alice? I had to bring her home from the wedding early.”

  “No, sir.” Rushing to the table, she eyed the covered dishes recently delivered by room service. “Are you feeling poorly, miss? Should I order something else for your breakfast? I just assumed you’d want your usual.”

  “No, Alice. I’m fine this morning. Mr. Gregg took very good care of me last night.” Without a word, Peg reached up to draw his head down, planting a blatantly unchaste kiss on his mouth. Standing in his arms, she stared up with shining eyes, laughing at his surprise. “Alice, we’ll need to make some space in the bathroom cabinet. And the wardrobe as well, I suppose. You see, Mr. Gregg will be visiting from time to time and I want him to feel at home.”

  Alice nodded, her eyes widening slowly. “Yes, Miss Shannon.” Another nod as she looked from one to the other, her face stretching into a perceptive grin. “Oh, yes, miss. Oh, that’s lovely, miss!” Dashing toward the bedroom, she turned to take a step backwards, still grinning. “I’ll take care of it right away, miss.”

  “See, Alice doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with your being here. Where did you run off to, by the way?” She took her place at the table, nodding for him to do the same.

  “Home. I couldn’t lounge around all day in that morning coat. Besides, I have things to do. I’m going out to Hertford for a little while. I won’t stay too late, but I want to talk to Grandfather about our relationship. I want him to understand and I suppose I hope he’ll give me his blessing. Does that make sense?”

  “Of course it does. But please don’t let him think your grandmother told me. She didn’t realize what she was saying, I’m sure.”

  He took her hand across the table. “I’m not sorry, you know. Oh, I’m sorry she shocked you, but if she hadn’t told you, I’m not sure when I would have found the courage to. All things considered, it’s better this way.”