Her Irish Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page B

his eyes in resignation, and followed her.  They entered, and a petite woman with white hair greeted them. “Why hello there, are you looking for a room?”
    “Yes,” said Adaline. “I do have to ask, how much do you charge?”
    “Oh, now let me see,” the woman said as she quirked her brow. “I think Mrs. Brown is charging forty five cents a night.”
    “You’re not the proprietor?” Adaline asked.
    “Heaven’s no, I’m a … well a guest you might say.”
    “Don’t be so modest, Polly,” another woman said as she came into the home’s foyer. “She’s too humble for her own good sometimes. I’m Mrs. Brown, and this is Mrs. Van Cleet. She owns the house, I just manage it.”
    Adaline nodded in understanding. “How do you do? I’m Adaline Dermont and I’d like a room please.”
    “If ye be owning the place, why are you a guest here?” Finn asked.
    “Finn …” Lorcan growled.
    “It’s a logical question,” Finn countered.
    “My husband and I are wintering here. “We’re from Clear Creek. We came to visit family and friends, and well, ended up staying longer than we expected. We’re getting too old to make the journey back to Clear Creek at this time of year.”
    “No explanations are necessary,” Lorcan told her. “Mrs. Brown, I’ll be taking care of the lady’s accommodations.”
    She lo oked him over. “Lorcan Brody, what have you been up to? The usual I suppose, just look at your face! Give your mother my best will you?”
    “I’ll do that. Now, about that room for the lady?”
    Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Van Cleet both looked at Adaline. “Are you visiting family?” Mrs. Brown asked with a smile.
    “Miss Dermont’s business here is her own,” Lorcan said before Adaline could so much as take a breath.  So, he was embarrassed by the situation and didn’t want to tell them.  She fought the urge to roll her eyes and instead forced a smile.
    “Yes, of course … it is.” Mrs. Brown said as she went behind a nearby counter. “Room number five is available.” She turned, took a key hanging alongside several others from a board behind her, and handed it to Adaline. “Top of the stairs, third door on the right.  Breakfast and dinner are provided, you’ll see to your own lunch.”
    “Thank you,” Adaline said.  Finn had already started for the stairs and sh e hesitated a moment before she realized Lorcan waited for her to precede him.  She did, stiffly at first, then with vigor in her step.  Her anger had finally arrived. Oh, it slipped out a time or two already, but now it would be hard for her to hold her tongue. The whole situation was infuriating and embarrassing, but worse, was she had so little control over it.  How was she to know the man had no idea she was coming?  Why hadn’t his parents told him? He acted as if this was her fault. Well it wasn’t!  Of course, neither was it his.
    She unlocked the door and entered.  The ro om was bright, cheery and as it was on the south side of the house, would get the most sun.  Pretty wallpaper made up of tiny roses covered not only the walls, but the angled ceiling, and the beautiful quilts and fluffy pillows on the bed were a welcome sight.  She could use a hot bath and the bed right this minute, but knew she’d only get one out of the two. Baths usually cost extra. The room also had a chair, small writing desk, dresser and a fireplace.
    “Doesn’t this look cozy? Would you be wanting anything else?” Finn asked her.
    She smiled. “No, thank you Mr. Mullany, you’ve been most kind.”
    Lorcan entered and set down her trunk. “I’ll see what I can do about your return trip. Again, I’m very sorry my parents acted so irrationally.”
    She had her back to him, so shut her eyes tight against her tears. “They didn’t appear irrational to me, Mr. Brody.” She opened her eyes and turned to face him. “If you ask me, they acted out of love and had your best interest in mind.”
    He swallowed hard as he looked down at