Page 24 of Choices of the Heart

She managed to push aside her unexpected reaction and enjoy the remainder of the dance. Little missteps and even slight collisions were hardly noticed, and, if they were, received nothing but grins and friendly laughter.

The tune came to an end. Everyone cheered and applauded. Burke looked to Sophie, suddenly as unsure as he’d appeared when she’d first asked him to dance with her.

“You warned me this party would be very different from the others I’ve attended.”

He sighed a little and nodded.

“You were right. It is so much better.”

That brought surprise to his expression followed by obvious relief. When doctoring, he had an air of earned confidence. But, apparently, at parties much of that disappeared.

That change in him stayed with her even after she’d retaken her seat beside Mrs. Archer, and he had disappeared into the crowd. Perhaps the change was simply unexpected. Perhaps it struck her with such force because it was unfamiliar.

“That was a different sort of dancing than I have ever done,” Mrs. Archer said.

“Different in unpleasant ways?” Sophie was almost afraid of the answer. She’d enjoyed every moment, but if it met with Mrs. Archer’s disapproval, she wasn’t sure what she would do. Not for the world would she give the woman a reason to be embarrassed by her, but she would be sad not to participate again while they were in town.

“There is nothing wrong or inappropriate in it,” Mrs. Archer said. “I cannot imagine any of our Baltimore acquaintances approving, though.”

Oh, dear. “Would you rather we not participate?”

“I’m not certain I have enough energy to participate.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “But, if you are enjoying the dancing and music, I think you should take in every moment of it.”

Sophie sighed with relief.

“And,” Mrs. Archer continued, “should Dr. Jones ask you to dance again, do. The two of you make a very handsome couple.”

Sophie didn’t blush often, but she was certain she did then. Mrs. Archer was likely teasing, but Sophie found herself hoping her friend and substitute mother was at least partly in earnest.

Burke Jones was tugging at her more than she’d expected him to.

The O’Connor family had grown so much in the past few years that their weekly family gatherings were now held at the inn. Burke had a standing invitation to join them, which he often did. The gathering held the day after Sophie’s firstcéilíquickly proved one he likely ought to have skipped.

“You’ve spent any number ofcéilíssitting out every dance,” Patrick said with far too much amusement in his voice. “Miss Sophie is here one week and you’re up on your feet in a heartbeat.”

“She asked me,” Burke said. “I’ve not ever refused when asked.”

“You’ve also not ever smiled at a dancing partner like you did last night.” Patrick’s brother, Tavish, who bore the most startling resemblance to him, joined in the jesting.

Ian, another brother, was not far behind. “And kept your arm about her waist a bit longer than was needed.”

The family patriarch and his sons and sons-in-law grinned unrepentantly as the teasing continued. If Burke hadn’t known that the O’Connors lovingly taunted each other just as mercilessly, he might not have taken it well. Amongst this close-knit family, poking fun was a sign of affection and acceptance.

This time, though, their jests were confusing.

He understood why they’d latched onto the topic—he really didn’t dance often at thecéilís—but he couldn’t even begin to sort out his feelings toward the lady in question. He liked her; he wouldn’t deny that. And he felt a pull to her, though he didn’t mean to let Patrick know as much. But what was the point of thinking beyond that?

Shecame from Baltimore’s high society, with connections and an influential family, and would return to it soon enough.Hehad given himself a name because he had no family, no history, and no actual identity.Shelived in Mrs. Archer’s no-doubt grand palatial home.Hewas struggling to put to rights his rustic infirmary in the middle of nowhere.She, despite her protestations, danced with agility and enthusiasm.Hewas as awkward and bumbling as a newborn calf.

“You lads leave the good doctor alone.” Mrs. O’Connor eyed her sons, husband, and sons-in-law with the fierce expression of a mother seizing control of her wayward family.

Burke bowed and offered a very officious, “Thank you.”

His “tormentors” laughed and shook their heads good-naturedly before turning their attention to each other.

Mrs. O’Connor slipped her arm through Burke’s and led him a bit to the side of the large public room. “Katie tells me you looked in on our Finbarr a few days ago. How is he?”

“He was out of his house, which seemed a good sign. He talked to me briefly. Asked after the Archer children.”

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