Page 72 of Calling on the Matchmaker
Riley didn’t respond as he pulled out a shirt and began stuffing his arms in, with his back facing them, as though that somehow gave him a measure of privacy.
She’d never watched a man get dressed, and somehow the intimate act was more sensual than she’d realized.
Obviously sensing her perusal, he cast her a glance over his shoulder.
She forced her attention to Father O’Kirwin. “There’s no need for Riley to forfeit. He’s already ahead of the other two candidates, and he’s pulling ahead more every day.”
“He’ll lose every inch of ground and then some when word of his indiscretion spreads.” Father O’Kirwin’s eyes held a gravity that Finola couldn’t ignore.
Riley shrugged. “We’ll explain what happened—”
“And you’ll lose James Shanahan’s support,” Bellamy added.
“My da isn’t that kind of man. He won’t stop helping Riley just because our match is called off.”
“He may choose to distance himself from the scandal.” Father O’Kirwin met Riley’s gaze levelly. “Even if not, you’ll still lose most of the wealthy and influential men he brought over tosupport you. They won’t give a flying hoot about you if you’re not aligned with James Shanahan.”
“They’re not so shallow as that,” she protested.
Father O’Kirwin shot her an impatient look, one that said she didn’t know anything about politics.
Was he right? She swallowed against the anxiety rising in her throat. She hadn’t really given much thought to the dowry agreement between her da and Riley. But Riley had become the front-runner in the election only after word of his match to her had become public knowledge. Aye, the connection to her da and his fortune was important to his winning.
“The match was mutually beneficial, Finola.” Bellamy was watching her as though attempting to read her mind. “If you keep trying to wiggle your way out of it, not only does Riley stand to lose the election, but your da stands to lose the steel contract with Rafferty Wagon Company.”
“Steel contract?”
“Rafferty Wagon Company agreed to purchase all the steel for their wagons from your da. Such an agreement stands to benefit your da’s business. He’s already got plans to expand his facilities. It’ll give him a bigger name and help him gain national recognition.”
She swallowed the growing trepidation. “I didn’t know.”
“Oh, aye,” Bellamy continued. “We didn’t want to be worrying you about the details of the match.”
The reality of all that was at stake was suddenly clear. If she persisted in foiling the marriage to Riley, he would lose the election and her da would lose the chance for his ironworks to become a national name.
“None of that matters.” Riley had opened another drawer, pulled out a pair of trousers, and was hopping into one leg.
“It does matter.” Father O’Kirwin glared at Riley over the top of his spectacles. “You can’t disregard the hard work that I and countless other volunteers have put into your campaign.It just wouldn’t be fair to all the people who believe in you and want you to win.”
Riley stuck his foot into the other leg of his trousers, his movements strong and swift. As he finished with his trousers, he leaned against the chest of drawers and bowed his head, clearly taking the two men’s words to heart. Discouragement seemed to weigh on him and slump his shoulders. Discouragement she’d caused.
An ache welled up inside, one that had been there since the day Ava had died. Aye, she’d vowed to enter the convent and do penance for killing her sister. But could she do penance a different way?
“Finola and I aren’t getting married.” Riley finally spoke.
“What, then?” Bellamy didn’t seem quite as ruffled as Father O’Kirwin and was handling everything with his usual calmness. “Do you plan to go through with the possible match you talked about with Oscar the other night?”
“Match?” The word squeaked out before Finola could catch it. Did Riley have another woman lined up to take her place?
“Oh, aye,” Bellamy answered. “Riley was doing his best to ease the sting of your rejection and so thought another match would take his mind off it, so he did.”
Riley narrowed his eyes at Bellamy in warning.
Bellamy didn’t bother to glance Riley’s way and instead kept his focus upon Finola. “He’s thinking about taking up a match with Daniel Allen’s daughter Bets.”
Finola sifted the name through her mind, but it wasn’t familiar. Even so, she couldn’t keep from disliking the woman. Was she someone Riley knew? A woman he’d once admired? Perhaps a beautiful and charming young lady who would give him the love and life he deserved ... unlike her.
Was Bellamy right that Riley had sought out Oscar to ease the sting of her rejection? Whatever the reason, Riley was obviously not moping over her. “You moved on quickly.” Herstatement came out laced with accusation, although she knew it wasn’t fair to Riley. He had every right to move on quickly, slowly, or otherwise.
