Page 23 of Calling on the Matchmaker
All eyes were upon him expectantly, even Bellamy’s.
Riley hesitated, not because he didn’t want to give Finola a go. Sweet saints above, he wanted to give her more than a go. But if Finola had shunned twelve other suitors, how could he hope to have any success?
“To be perfectly honest with you, Riley”—Shanahan’s shoulders deflated—“if this effort with the matchmaker doesn’t work, I might be left with no choice but to send Finola to join the Sisters of Charity.”
Turn Finola into a nun? Sure, she’d been enticing even in the black habit she’d been wearing on previous occasions. But after witnessing her descending the stairs tonight in that shimmering blue gown with the glow of the chandelier highlighting the red in her brown hair, she’d made him breathless with her beauty. It would be a real shame to hide such a treasure behind convent doors and baggy gowns for the rest of her life.
Not to mention that Finola wouldn’t survive such a lonelyexistence. He didn’t know her well, but he’d seen enough of her personality to realize she needed people, flourished on helping others, and was much too lively for the quiet, contemplative life in the church.
Good thing he thrived on challenges. He stood and held out a hand to Shanahan.
The man’s eyes filled with hope, and he clasped Riley’s hand firmly. “Aye? Then we have a deal?”
“Consider this a match, Mr. Shanahan. When would you like to pluck the gander?”
As Riley and Da finished settling on dates and times for their meetings, Finola rose from the settee and veered toward the stairway, ready to be done with the embarrassing ordeal.
“Wait, Finola.” Mam followed after her and clutched her arm before she could get too far. “You need to say a proper good-bye to your future husband, that you do.”
Future husband.Finola nearly shuddered at the words. But she took hope from her da’s admission—if this effort at matchmaking didn’t work, he would let her join the Sisters of Charity.
His words sent a charge of renewed determination through her. Her hard effort was paying off. It wouldn’t be long now before she’d be able to get what she’d been working toward.
During the meeting with Da and Kiernan, she’d heard the surprise in Riley’s tone and his questions as he learned about her history of failed courtships. He had even asked what was wrong with her. That meant going into the match, he would already be harboring doubts about her. Hopefully she’d be able to easily increase those doubts until he decided she wasn’t the right woman for him.
Down the hallway, Madigan had stepped out of the dining room and was watching her, his eyes alight with curiosity. Shewanted to pull him aside as she had in the past and give him her usual instructions. But she’d have to wait for later when Riley was gone and her family busy with other matters.
She couldn’t waste much time. She needed Madigan to collect information about Riley as quickly as possible, especially since Da and Riley were meeting at Oscar’s Pub tomorrow to pluck the gander. If the negotiations went smoothly, then Riley would return in only three days’ time for the celebratory dinner.
She had to be prepared by then.
Her mam guided her back around just as Riley and Da exited the parlor with Bellamy and Kiernan trailing.
At the sight of her, Riley stopped and watched her approach, his dark eyes sliding over her, pausing on her bare shoulders and then on the swell of her bust. Mam had made her wear a corset under the gown, and Enya had tied it in such a way that her curves were well displayed.
Finola was accustomed to Mam’s encouragement to use her natural feminine wiles to snag a man. Highlighting her appearance might help to gain a man’s attention in the short term. But Finola had made sure it was never enough.
As though realizing the focus of his attention, Riley jerked his sights back to her face, but he couldn’t conceal the dark smolder in his eyes.
Aye, Riley Rafferty liked how she looked. He’d made no secret about that, not since the day he’d caught her changing in the horse stall.
What if she facilitated another incident, and hejust happenedto be at the wrong place at the wrong time as her da walked in? There had been the time when she’d staged an almost-kiss with one suitor just as her da had walked in the room. Her da had booted the fellow out and told him never to come back.
Now that she and Riley were all but betrothed, Da wouldallow for some displays of affection, especially since they would be getting married before Shrove Tuesday, only five weeks away.
Even so, Da had high standards of chastity and always had strict rules regarding suitors. He still would keep a watchful eye on her—on them. Certainly she could arrange something with Riley to get him in trouble.
She wasn’t proud of all her scheming. But in the end, everyone would realize she’d done the right thing by avoiding marriage and a family. She didn’t deserve it, especially not a child of her own.
She held out a hand toward Riley. “Take you care now, Mr. Rafferty.”
“Miss Shanahan.” Riley took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles lightly.
As with earlier when he’d held her hand, she envisioned him kissing her bare skin, without the gloves in the way. And her breath swelled inside at the prospect.
When he backed away and lowered her hand, she expected his gaze to smolder again, but he turned with a nonchalance that took her off guard. As he said his good-byes to her parents and brother, she waited for him to slant another look her way or to give her a parting witty remark.
But as he strolled out of the house with Bellamy, he didn’t look at her again.
