Page 13 of Calling on the Matchmaker
Bellamy narrowed his eyes upon Riley. “I heard what happened yesterday, so I did.”
“You did?” How? Had Tom Dooley seen Finola and him afterall? Had the lad gone and told everyone about it over drinks at Oscar’s Pub later?
“Why don’t you tell me your side of the story.” Bellamy crossed his arms, the seriousness of his expression saying that he wouldn’t settle for anything less than the truth.
Maybe Finola had been the one to blab about their encounter. If she’d informed her parents about the way he’d ogled her, maybe they were demanding that he marry her out of respect for her reputation.
He might as well admit the truth. “Look, Bellamy. I don’t know what Finola said and what you’ve heard. But I didn’t realize she was half naked when I opened the stall door.”
Bellamy didn’t move, but his eyes took on a new sparkle.
“You saw Finola Shanahan naked?” Dad’s voice rose with a note of surprise.
“No.” He glanced toward the bedroom door, guessing that all four of his sisters were hovering in the hallway and had just heard Dad. “I didn’t see her naked.” He made sure his voice carried so that all the ears eavesdropping would know the real facts. “She had on her unmentionables.”
Dad shook his head. “As if that’s any better.”
Guilt pricked Riley. He should have been more careful yesterday. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about needing to gouge out his eyes with Finola, that was for certain. Even fully clothed, she was a beautiful woman with attractive features. Not only were her blue eyes unique, but her brown hair with hints of red reminded him of fine cherry hardwood.
For a moment both Dad and Bellamy watched him, waiting for him to give them further details regarding the encounter. Once again, his mind flashed back to the sight of her standing in the middle of the stall wearing nothing but a thin layer of silk. And once again desire shot through him.
“Aye, so, you’re remembering how she looked.” Bellamy nodded with a half grin.
Bother it. Riley jumped up from his chair so quickly it clattered to the ground behind him. How could Bellamy see inside his head so clearly? It was uncanny, that’s what.
“I was asking you about what happened on Broadway when Finola pinched your cheek and called you a good lad.” Bellamy stood, too, and reached for his coat. “But your story is much more entertaining.”
Riley wanted to roll his eyes at his own stupidity. “The story needs to remain private.” He hoped that not only would Bellamy keep quiet but his sisters too.
“Dontcha be worrying, Riley.” Bellamy flung one end of his scarf one way around his neck and the other the opposite way. “I’ll have you married to Finola Shanahan by Shrove Tuesday, so I will, and then you’ll get to wake up every morning and see her n—”
Riley cut Bellamy off with a curt shake of his head and nod toward the door.
Bellamy followed his gaze, then dropped his voice to a whisper. “What?”
“Don’t say it.”
“Say what?”
“You know.”
“No, I don’t.”
Riley bit back a sigh. “Let’s stop talking about her being naked.”
“I was going to say that you’ll get to wake up every morning and see her nice smile.” Bellamy’s eyes held false innocence, but clearly he’d gotten from Riley the response he’d wanted. “But looks like your mind is thinking about only one thing.”
Again, his dad chuckled.
Riley palmed the back of his neck, the heat rising there. Apparently, his encounter yesterday with Finola had awakened his desires more than he’d realized, and now his thoughts were afire-powered engine on a narrow track driving toward a single destination.
Maybe his dad was right that he needed to seriously consider marriage again. And maybe by enlisting the aid of a matchmaker, he could avoid the mistakes he’d made the first time. In the process, he’d make his dad happy, and he’d benefit his campaign to become the next mayor of St. Louis.
He highly doubted Finola Shanahan would give him the time of day. But he couldn’t deny that he was open to seeing if she would.
5
Another night had passed, and his dad was still alive.
