Page 59 of Hearts Aweigh
“‘Jealous’?” Spencer spat out the word. “You’re mistaken, ma’am.”
“Gerry,” she reminded him. “And if you’re not jealous, then this request is high-handed and unreasonable. You have no control over Abby’s love life.”
“I’m not trying to control her.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “My interest in Ms. O’Brien is solely as an employer. After Madeleine and I leave the ship, she can date whoever she pleases.”
“Now it’s Ms. O’Brien,” Althea said to Emily.
“He’s distancing himself.” She nodded. “People do that when they’re uncomfortable.”
“Or lying.” Gerry scowled.
“Ladies.” Daisy tapped her manicured fingers. “Please don’t pester him. I’ve already told you my son is a poor match for Abby.”
“Yes. Thank you, Daisy. I’m a—wait a minute. Poor match?” Spencer waved his hand down his long torso. “In what way am I lacking? I’m handsome, well-educated, wealthy—”
“Humble,” Gerry inserted.
Spencer lifted his chin. “There’s no flaw in giving an honest evaluation of your qualifications.”
“If you’re laying out your qualifications, you must be interested.” Emily opened a three-ring binder. “Shall I add your name to the candidate list?”
“What? No.” He had to be careful around these loony old women. Who knew what crazy schemes they might concoct? “I was merely reacting to my mother’s word choice, not offering myself as another player in your matchmaking game.”
“‘Game’?” Emily flipped the binder shut. “I see what you mean, Daisy. There’s no sense wasting our time.”
“As I said.” His mother took a tube of lotion from her handbag and squeezed a dab onto her fingers. She applied the liquid to the minuscule creases near her mouth.
Spencer gritted his teeth. “Abby would count her blessings to marry a man like me.”
“Oh, marriage?” Emily reopened the binder. “If you have something long-term in mind, I’m willing to reconsider.”
Althea smiled. “You’ve got my vote, baby.”
“Hold it.” A trickle of sweat dripped from Spencer’s neck to his suddenly tight collar. “Marriage isn’t an option. I’ve already tried the institution once, and it didn’t suit.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting shacking up together.” Gerry’s eyebrows formed a hairy frown of disapproval.
“Of course not. I am saying in a forthright and unequivocal manner that I never plan to get married again—especially not to Abigail O’Brien.”
“No one was offering.” A new voice joined the conversation.
A female voice.
An angry voice.
CHAPTER 31
WAS STEAM SHOOTING FROM HERears? Abby might combust at any moment. Did the man have to make marriage to her sound like the equivalent of a root canal?
From the look on Spencer’s face, he recognized his faux pas. He obviously hadn’t meant for her to hear his emphatic declaration, but that didn’t lessen the sting.
A flush rose up his neck. “Abby, I—”
“Maddie”—she turned her back to him and squatted in front of his daughter—“why don’t you give Grandma Daisy a hug? I’m sure she’s missed you.”
“Yes!” Daisy hastened from her chair and around the table. “I’ve missed you ever so much, Madeleine.” She knelt and held open her arms.
“Hello, Grandma.” Maddie walked into the woman’s embrace.
