Granted, a sound marriage needed to be based on more than financial considerations—no man or woman wanted to be viewed only for the depth of their pockets—but to Brigit’s way of thinking, Duncan underestimated his appeal. When God made him, surely He’d made a good man.
Some lass would be blessed to have him. She heard Trudy bumping about in the room next door. Brigit let out a moan. The poor lass still carried a torch for Duncan O’Brien. A sad thing, that. Trudy built up her hopes each day, only to get them dashed when Duncan stayed oblivious to her presence. Miss Emily must have noticed the longing in Trudy’s eyes because she’d been assigning her to tasks that kept her away from Duncan. For true, Duncan O’Brien deserved more than a mere servant as his bride.
❧
“Blest be the tie that binds—” Duncan suddenly stopped singing.
Prudence, dressed in yet another pink frock, twisted around and sang the next line of the hymn while batting her lashes at him. “Our hearts in Christian love. . .”
Trapped in church. Wasn’t there something about amnesty—no, sanctuary—that’s what it was. Church was supposed to be a safe place, a house of worship and peace—not a matchmaker’s hunting ground. The first hymn of the morning had been “How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?” which was followed immediately by “Love Divine, All Love Excelling.” Now they were binding hearts in Christian love. Lord, I’m sorry for the fact that I’ve ceased singing, but I’m sure You understand. I don’t want to mislead anyone into thinking I’m planning a courtship. I’ll just stay silent for this one hymn. . . .
“How wonderful, knowing we are all bonded together in Christ’s love.” The parson beamed at the congregation. “Please turn in your hymnals to hymn number sixty-seven, ‘O Happy Home, Where Thou Art Loved Most Dearly.’ ”
The pianist and organist both played the opening chords as Duncan glowered at Emily. A snicker sounded beside him, so he subtly stepped on Timothy’s toes to hush him.
Lord, I’m a man of my word. I said I’d stand down for just that one hymn. Couldn’t You have taken mercy and inspired the parson to choose a different hymn? Maybe “A Mighty Fortress” or “My Soul, Be on Thy Guard” or even “In the Hour of Trial”?
Duncan suppressed the sensation of being the center of attention and kept his gaze firmly on the cross at the front of the sanctuary. He took a deep breath and started to sing with the congregation. “O happy home, where Thou art loved most dearly. . . .”
Five
“Psst. Unca Duncan. C’mere.”
Duncan spied his youngest nephew on the far side of the umbrella stand. It provided barely enough cover for the lad; Duncan wouldn’t stand a chance of remaining unseen.
If Emily doesn’t leave me alone, I’m going to start living aboard a landlocked ship or convince John to start sending me on the transatlantic voyages so I can get away from this never-ending petticoat parade.
Phillip pressed a forefinger to his lips and used the thumb on his other hand to point toward the dining room. In what Duncan supposed was intended to be a whisper, the boy announced, “Girls.”
Duncan didn’t need to be told. The cloying scents of several floral fragrances mingled and gave warning. He glanced toward the stairs, pointed upward, and reached out for Phillip’s hand. Gleefully, Phillip launched from his hiding place. He snatched Duncan’s hand, and they hastened for safety. They reached the first step, and Duncan let out a sigh of relief.
“Duncan!” Emily’s cheerful voice stopped him dead in his tracks.
Phillip let out a loud groan. Duncan wished he could do the same. Instead he glanced over his shoulder. “Hello, Emily.”
“I was rather hoping you’d be home for lunch. Please come join us. Phillip, did you wash your hands?”
“Yes, Mama.” Phillip turned loose of Duncan’s hand and wiggled his stubby fingers in the air. “See?”
“Good for you. Now go get your brothers.” She gave him a Mama’s-wise-to-you look. “I expect all three of my sons to be at the table immediately. Be sure to tell them Uncle Duncan is joining us.”
“Yes, Mama.” Phillip scrambled up the stairs.
Emily approached. Duncan couldn’t decide whether to growl or smile at her. The words were on the tip of his tongue to tell his sister to stop this stream of marriageable material—he simply wasn’t fishing. Then again, manners demanded he not embarrass her. The time would come for him to confront her when these young ladies were gone. In the meantime, at least he’d have his nephews with him, so he could steer the conversation to include them and bore the women to tears.
“Several young ladies are here to visit Anna Kathleen and Lily.”
“Is that so?” The ruse was so painfully thin, he felt a stab of disbelief. Does Emily think I’m so stupid I wouldn’t see past that lie? Then another thought crossed his mind. If these scheming minxes were using his nieces as a means of getting to him, he’d put a stop to it here and now. He refused to allow his family to be used as tools.
Emily had threaded her arm through his and started toward the dining room. She must have felt his sudden tension, but she didn’t stop. Lips barely moving, she said, “I need you to display your best manners. You’re an example for my children, you know.”
A stream of giggles filled the air.
Duncan groaned and shot his sister a heated look.
“You can make it through this. I’ll help you.” A charming smile lit her face.
How many times had Emily said that to him? She’d been true to her word each and every time. Long ago, when he’d been but six slim years, she’d taught him how to change Timothy’s nappies. She’d held him close at their sister’s graveside and made the same promise. Aye, and when they’d both needed to learn the finer points of gracious living after she wed John, she’d been his confidant and ally. They’d literally gone from rags to riches, but no matter what her circumstances, Emily was Emily. He loved his big sister for that.
“I’ll do this for you.” He gave her a tender smile.
“Thank you.”
Duncan mentally battened down his hatches for the storm ahead. He’d weather it. ’Twas but one insignificant meal. Aye, and with his nieces and nephews at the table, he’d most certainly find a way to enjoy the luncheon. A single step more, and he could see the staff had added every last spare leaf to the dining table, elongating it to accommodate twenty. Twenty!
“How long have you been planning this little event?”
“Since Sunday,” Emily admitted in a gratingly cheerful tone. They walked into the dining room, and she singsonged, “Look who’s joining us!”
Anna Kathleen twirled about. Her hoops swayed precariously; but rather than making her usual sound of exasperation, she beckoned. “Duncan! How wonderful! Do come meet my friends.”
Duncan glanced about. A solid dozen or more young girls filled the room. Frilly party attire in nearly every pastel hue turned the room into a veritable feminine rainbow, and most of the girls were still young enough to wear their hair down. Relief coursed through his veins. He’d not been duped into a matchmaking scheme—these lasses still spent their days in the schoolroom.
Lunch passed with relative ease. Duncan found the youngsters refreshing. When Timothy shot him a stricken look, Duncan determined the brunette in the greenish dress seemed to be far more interested than his nephew wished. Recalling the youngster on Tim’s other side was named Bernice, Duncan smoothly went to the rescue. “Tim, have you told Miss Bernice about your plans for next month?”
The brunette clouded over, but Tim and Bernice both lit up. Tim shot Duncan a grateful look, then focused his attention on the red-haired girl. “I’m to help with the fittings on my uncle’s new vessel, and I’ll be going on the next voyage to Massachusetts.”
Duncan congratulated himself. All went well enough. Since it was an unscheduled event in the middle of a busy day, he didn’t mind the fact that he’d need to rearrange some of his plans. Family came first. Being the wonderful mother she was, Emily
had concocted this little affair for her daughters and sons to enjoy their friends and learn the necessary social skills to help them through life. Duncan figured the least he could do was serve as an example.
Or so he thought until a flock of mamas and big sisters swept in to collect the girls.
Pink Prudence, Adele, and Antonia—whose name he’d not recall unless he associated her with a similar sounding name, A-Tune-ia—all made appearances. Oh, and he’d been introduced to a few oh-so-available sisters who were home from finishing school as well as the gangly, bucktoothed granddaughter of their nearest neighbor. Decorum demanded he act with utter gentility. Under any other circumstances, he’d not mind a bit. This rated as different, though. Duncan felt like a sailor who fell overboard into a school of hungry sharks.
Tonight he would sit Emily down and make it plain. No more of this nonsense.
❧
Brigit sat in the nursery with the twins. She’d come up to mind them so Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb could have a quiet evening together. The little girls filled the last ten minutes with complaints, bemoaning the tragic fact that they hadn’t been included in today’s party. Left over little treats from the luncheon party remained in the kitchen, so Brigit suggested, “June and Julie, why don’t we have our verra own bedtime tea party?”
In no time at all, the three of them huddled at a small table. They weren’t alone. Three tin soldiers stood at attention on the empty side of the table. “Now aren’t you clever lasses?” Brigit nodded approvingly. “We’ve handsome companions for our party, and I doubt anyone ever saw such a scrumptious spread.”
“I’d have to agree,” a deep voice said from the doorway.
Startled, Brigit twisted in her chair to see if her ears had deceived her. No, they hadn’t. Duncan O’Brien lounged against the door frame, arms folded, his hair wind ruffled, and a twinkle in his eyes. He tilted his head to the side, and a rakish smile lifted the right side of his mouth.
“Do you want some tea, Uncle Duncan?”
Before Brigit could object, he pushed away from the door and started toward them. “Of course I do. I’m so thirsty, I could drink the ocean dry!”
June went into peals of laughter; Julie giggled and managed to spill tea onto the saucer.
Duncan towered over the children’s table, and Brigit wished he’d just bend down, gulp the tea, and depart. He didn’t cooperate. No, he didn’t. Instead he picked up each soldier, precisely set one to the left of each of them, then scanned the room. Who would have ever imagined what he did next? The big, handsome, ship’s captain swept a china doll from a bed. He pulled out the last little chair and folded his tall frame onto it. He sat the doll on his knee and surveyed the table.
“You’ve gathered a fine spread here. Shall I ask a blessing?”
The girls folded their hands and pretended not to peek. Brigit compressed her lips to keep from smiling at the fact that she and Duncan were doing the selfsame thing. He said a short, sweet prayer, and they all chimed in, “Amen.”
“Are you hungry?” June started pushing tiny plates at him.
“Ferociously hungry, and so is my little cousin, aren’t you, Fortuna?” He toggled the doll and raised his voice into a falsetto. “Why, yes, I am.”
“Fortuna?” Julie scrunched her face.
“Oh, haven’t you ever met my cousin? How remiss of me. June, Julie, and Miss Brigit, allow me to present my cousin, Miss Hunter. Miss Fortuna Hunter.”
Six
Brigit choked on her tea. She managed to murmur a greeting to the doll and watched Duncan waggle his brows. “I was sure you must have met her. All of her friends were here today to pick up their little sisters. She told me to be sure to have some cake.”
“June, serve Mr. O’Brien—”
“Duncan,” he interrupted.
Brigit nodded acknowledgment. “—Duncan some cake.”
June leaned forward, then halted. “Do I have to use a fork?”
“If you use your fingers, I’ll have to lick them clean.”
Never had a tea party been so charming. Brigit delighted in watching how Duncan played with his little nieces. He unabashedly enjoyed them. Someday he’d make a wondrous father.
Miss Emily bustled into the room. Brigit suddenly sobered. What am I doing?
“I thought I heard merriment in here. Duncan, John wanted to speak with you about something.”
“Mama, we’re having a tea party!”
Emily petted her daughters’ curls. “I can see, darlings.”
“Tea and treats before bed,” Duncan said as he rose. “I’m sure you’ll have sweet dreams.” He kissed June and Julie, then left the room.
Suddenly the whole room seemed far bigger and dreadfully empty. Brigit quickly picked up the mess and crumbs, placed everything on a tray, and dampened the end of a towel so she could wash up the twins.
“So you enjoyed your party?” Miss Emily asked as she helped her daughters into their flower-sprigged flannel nightgowns.
“Uh-huh.” The twins answered in unison.
Brigit started to comb Julie’s hair so she could plait it for the night. “They have very nice manners, Miss Emily.”
“As do you.” Miss Emily smiled easily. “You’ve said little about your family, but I’m guessing you’re more accustomed to directing staff than being a member of one.”
Her words made Brigit draw in a quick breath. “I’m sorry, Ma’am. I—”
“No, no. You misunderstand me. We’ll talk later.”
Later. The taste of the much-too-sweet tea and treats suddenly came back and switched to bitter, and Brigit swallowed hard. Lord, You know I need this job. Aye, You do. Whate’er I’ve done wrong, help me. My parents need the money I make, and if—
“Ouchie!” Julie reached up and grabbed the base of her braid. “You’re pulling too tight!”
“I’m sorry.” Brigit loosened the weave a tad and deftly tied the tail of the plait with a bit of ribbon.
“She complains of that almost every night,” Miss Emily said as she tied June’s matching braid. “When you girls go to school next year, Julie’s going to scream half the time when the boy behind her tugs on her pigtails or dips them in the ink well.”
“I won’t let them do that to her.” June’s outraged words rang with certainty.
Emily laughed. “You might be too busy taking care of yourself to guard her.”
June and Julie scrambled into the bed and snuggled together. Brigit picked up the tray as Miss Emily bent over to kiss her daughters. “Let’s say our prayers.”
“We already said prayers with Brigit and Uncle Duncan.”
“You can’t pray too much.”
Brigit headed down the stair, dread in her heart. In the slim month she’d been here, she’d seen Miss Emily shelter her children. The easy laughter in the nursery didn’t mean all was well—it merely showed a mother’s regard for her children’s innocence. Whatever she wants to talk to me about, it’s surely not going to be a good thing.
Miss Emily’s words echoed in her mind. You can’t pray too much.
❧
John wanted to give Duncan a receipt for a special order he had waiting in Massachusetts. The postal delivery brought the letter to the dock today, saying the ring for Emily was ready to be picked up. As brothers-in-law went, Duncan knew he’d been blessed with the best God ever made. Each year John made it a point to give Emily an anniversary surprise. For their upcoming fifteenth anniversary, he’d commissioned a diamond and sapphire ring.
If Emily caught wind of it, she’d cancel the order and spend the money on charity. John donated generously to any number of causes, but Emily always managed to ferret out some family in need. John had learned to dodge Emily’s openhandedness by sneaking around and evading her questions. When he managed to give her the gifts, she was always so touched that she cherished whatever it was. . .and John would simply assure her she could name whichever needy situation she knew and he’d give twice as much to it.
; Diamond and sapphire. Duncan saw a sketch of it. Emily was still a simple woman at heart, and she’d not want anything ostentatious. John and the jeweler traded letters until the design reflected the perfect style. Duncan hid the slip of paper in his Bible, knowing full well he’d be sure to take it with him on his next voyage.
He’d come out of his bedchamber as Brigit carried a tray down the stairs. Now there was a fine lass. Her startling eyes matched the blue dress she wore, and it seemed a smile never left her lips. He’d stood in the doorway, watching how she sat at that little tea table with his nieces. Not a one of the young women in Emily’s Bridal Brigade would have ever set up such an enchanting party for two little children and join in as she did. The few minutes he watched her, he’d been impressed by the way she gently took the opportunity to reinforce basic decorum and yet encouraged the girls to use their imaginations and pretend.
How had she known June and Julie felt left out today? Duncan remembered being that young. His sisters were so much older; and once Emily was to wed John, Duncan felt that he didn’t exactly belong in their world. He wouldn’t admit it to a soul—it would have sounded babyish—yet John understood. Just before the wedding, John took Duncan aside and gave him a shiny, new Seated Liberty quarter. He’d told Duncan he was a worthy part of the family—a full quarter of it. John, Emily, Duncan, and Timothy—there were four of them, all starting a new life together. If ever he felt he didn’t belong or wasn’t wanted, John ordered Duncan to pull that special quarter from his pocket and rub it. He’d not needed to. The quarter itself served as such a potent reminder that Duncan counted it as his greatest earthly treasure. He watched Brigit disappear behind the kitchen door and jingled the coins in his pocket. She’d understand. Aye, a woman like that who bothered to make children happy would. And it made her a treasure in her own right.
❧
Later. Later turned out to be a mere half hour after they tucked the twins into bed. Miss Emily passed by Brigit and murmured, “Come to the kitchen.”
Redeemed Hearts Page 4