Her Irish Surrender Read Online Free PDF

and still he turned and stomped to the back of the store.
    “Well, that takes care of that.” Adaline said softly. “I’ll be going then, and will contact you in the morning to make arrangements …” Adaline fought against tears. “I’ll contact you in the morning.”
    With that Lorcan came back to the front of the store, and in one swift move, picked up her trunk. “I’ll see you to the hotel.”
    “Lorcan!” his mother cried.
    “It’s the least I can do, I’m sorry for my mother’s behavior and ill-planning.”
    Adaline stared up at him and saw the regret and embarrassment in his face. “So am I,” she said in a whisper.  She bent down, picked up her satchel and sewing basket, and did her best not to cry.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Three
     
    “Finn,” Lorcan barked. “Help the lady.”
    Finn nodded, his earlier grin diminished, and took the satchel and basket from her, then grabbed one last bag. She clutched her reticule and stiffened.
    “Lorcan … ” his mother began, her voice laced with waring.
    “Enough, this is how it’s going to be. I’ll be dealing with you when I return.” He looked down at Adaline and with his free hand, gave her a gentle shove in the small of her back.
    She let go a small gasp , and started to move. A chill went up her spine at the contact, and again, fought against unshed tears. What was she going to do now? She had very little money to work with, and felt like a complete idiot.
    “I’m very sorry,” a deep voice rumbled behind her as they walked out of the shop. “I had no idea …”
    “You’ve already apologized, it’s not hard to see what happened. You didn’t know I was coming, and want nothing to do with me. Please, don’t make this any harder than it already is.” She stopped on the boardwalk. “Which way?”
    “Go right,” he directed.
    She turned and took off at a fast pace.
    “I’m Finn Mullany,” the other man told her. “My family owns the Mullany Funeral Parlor. If I’m not being too forward, you could stay with us.”
    “Finn!” Lorcan barked again. “Don’t be absurd.”
    “At least he had the courtesy to offer me accommodations, Mr. Brody.” Adaline said as she walked along.  She couldn’t help but get in a jab, if only to keep from feeling so humiliated.
    “It wouldn’t be proper for you to stay with me, Miss … ah …”
    “Dermont,” she finished for him.
    “Dermont, let alone stay with Finn’s family.”
    “I wouldn’t mind,” Finn commented as he trailed along behind them.
    Lorcan turned and glared at him. Finn crossed his eyes in response. Lorca n shook his head, then turned to face the tantalizing back of the woman in front of him.  What had given his mother and father the notion of sending away for a mail order bride?  True, she was pretty, beautiful in fact.  Her golden curls and big brown eyes were set against the creamiest skin he’d ever seen.  She’d probably never done a hard days work in her life, and he wondered how well she would fare this far west.  He took in the fabric of her traveling cloak, and what he could see of her dress. Both were of high quality. It was then he realized his mother had found him a true lady. 
    Lorcan gulped as he walked behind her, even her gait was refined and poised, not stilted or off step.  He recalled the way she spoke and looked her up and down again.  What was he thin king?  Maybe he ought to reconsider this whole thing. Yet, before he gave himself the chance, he said, “Turn in here.”
    “What is this place?” she asked.
      “Upton’s Boarding House,” Lorcan told her. “It will be better than staying at the hotel. Closer to the book shop, too.”
    She suddenly turned to face him. “I would think you’d want me as far away as possible.” She spun on her heel and went up the stairs to the front porch of the large house. She shouldn’t have said it, her being a lady and all, but probably couldn’t help herself.
    Lorcan closed