Page 34 of Calling on the Matchmaker
At his directness, her eyes widened.
Before she could respond, he plowed forward. “From the way you kissed me, it’s obvious you like me too.”
“Obvious?” She sidled past him and stood, bracing her fists on her hips and glowering at him once more. “You might be a charmer, but you shouldn’t be surprised when you can’t charm everyone.”
He wanted more from her than clichéd answers, but he wasn’t sure how far to push her.
Raised voices grew louder and closer outside the parlor.
“Stop right there, young lass,” came James Shanahan’s booming call. “This discussion isn’t over.”
“Yes it is! Talking to you and Mam about anything important is impossible. Im-poss-i-ble.”
The voice belonged to Finola’s younger sister Enya. The antagonism between the redhead and her parents had been clear all throughout the feasting, even though they’d obviously tried for Finola’s sake to put aside their frustrations with one another and remain congenial.
But as with anything left to boil too long, their feelings were now bubbling up and flowing over the brim.
“You will not see that young man again,” Shanahan said, his voice tinged with anger. “Do you understand?”
“You cannot control my life this way.” The two were now standing in the hallway almost directly outside the parlor.
“I’m your father. And it’s my God-given duty to protect you from making poor choices and to direct you to walk in the ways of the wise.”
“I love him, Da.” Enya’s voice rang out passionately. “I want to marry him.”
In the middle of the room, Finola stood immobile, her already-pale face turning paler, and her expression widening with clear mortification.
He wanted to tell her that she needn’t be embarrassed by his witnessing a family squabble. His sisters had their fair share of obstinance from time to time.
But in the silence that settled out in the hallway, he bit back the words. Now was neither the time nor place to reassure her.
“You have to listen to your father, so.” The new voice belonged to Mrs. Shanahan. It was calmer but no less firm. “His investigator is concerned—”
“You’ve investigated Bryan?” Enya’s voice rose again.
“I investigate every suitor—”
“I know everything there is to know about him. He’s told me all about his life, and he’s a wonderful man.”
“You haven’t known him long enough to determine that.” The trio was moving past the parlor and seemed to be headed down a hallway. A moment later they entered a room and a door closed. The now muted argument continued, but the worst of the storm seemed to have passed.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that.” Finola had crossed to the doorway. Before she could make an effort to eavesdrop any further, Kiernan stepped through.
Had the young man been sitting in the front entryway all throughout his time with Finola, chaperoning from a distance? If so, he’d likely heard them talking about the kiss, maybe even heard them actually kissing. No doubt he’d report every detail to his father.
Finola ducked her head, as though she’d just realized the same.
In spite of the argument the Shanahans were having with their daughter just a few rooms away, Kiernan’s expression containeda hopefulness that was directed at Riley. “Da wanted me to invite you to call on Finola again any night that you’re free.”
Finola’s shoulders straightened as if she were resolving herself to another battle ahead. And although her face remained neutral, protest sparked in her eyes.
She didn’t want him to come courting. Not tonight. Not tomorrow night. Not any night. Maybe she didn’t make her wishes known as vocally as Enya, but she was certainly sending a message to her father regardless—she didn’t want Riley or any other suitor.
Like Enya, did she have another man she already loved, one her father wouldn’t accept?
Riley tossed aside the question. Surely Finola wouldn’t have kissed him like she had if she was interested in someone else.
So what was it? The question echoed through his head again. What was preventing her from getting serious with any one fellow?
