Page 91 of Calling on the Matchmaker
Bellamy didn’t respond.
She opened her eyes to find him grinning.
“Will you let me see him now? Before I’m too late?”
Bellamy was already moving aside. “Oh, aye, go on with you.” He swung open the door to reveal the darkened interior, lit only by a few sconces.
She stepped past him into the narthex. He didn’t follow and instead started to close the door behind her. “You’re not helping me, Bellamy?”
“I already did.” He winked, then finished shutting the door.
Silence surrounded her. In addition to the sconces, soft light filtered past the rows of windows on both sides of the nave. The pews were empty, and the chancel and marble altar at the front were deserted.
She paused. Where was Riley? Daniel Allen? Bets? Their families?
Maybe there was no wedding after all. She started to release a tight breath, but then Riley stepped out of the east side chapel.
Attired in a suit, with his cravat neatly tied, he held himself rigidly, formally. His hair was slicked back with pomade, although one strand had escaped the comb and fell across his forehead rebelliously, as if to remind the world that though Riley Rafferty could look and play the part of a gentleman, he was a rogue at heart.
A rogue whom she loved.
As Riley walked toward the prayer rail, her mind tried to make sense of what he was doing. Maybe he was getting into position for the wedding. Perhaps Bets, her family, and all the guests had yet to arrive.
Did that mean she still had time to convince Riley not to marry another woman? And how would she do that? Should she persuade him to marry her instead?
Her heart answered with a loud and excited pounding. Aye, she not only loved Riley, but she wanted to marry him.
When in position at the prayer rail, Riley finally glanceddown the aisle in her direction. She expected his eyes to widen in surprise. But he didn’t move.
He made a handsome picture standing there waiting for his bride to arrive. He filled out his suit well, so strong and yet so humble.
She wanted him, couldn’t let any other woman have him. Maybe that was selfish of her, but in this case, she wasn’t sorry for her selfishness. In fact, she was greedy for Riley—greedy for all of him, for his heated gazes, his searing touches, his delectable kisses. She wanted his eyes, his smile, his love to be upon her alone and never on another woman.
“Hi, Finola,” he said, and something in his voice wavered.
Was he sad he wasn’t marrying her? Did that mean she still had the chance to get him to change his mind about his union with Bets?
She opened her mouth to greet him in return. But the words she needed to say got lost somewhere inside. Instead, she stood frozen in place.
Riley seemed to stiffen. Was he afraid she’d come nearer?
She couldn’t keep from taking a rapid step back. Maybe she’d made a mistake in coming here. Maybe he didn’t love her enough to overcome the obstacles and issues she still carried with her from her past. Maybe he was glad to be through with her.
Should she leave?
31
Riley’s heart constricted. Finola was going to run away again. He could see the growing panic in her expression.
Bellamy’s plan to get her to the Cathedral had worked initially, but now it was falling apart....
Riley had hardly dared to breathe when Bellamy had called down to him from the tower that she was on her way. With how well the matchmaker knew everyone and everything, he’d easily learned of her whereabouts at St. Vincent de Paul’s. When she’d left the church, he’d tracked her progress nearly the entire distance from St. Vincent de Paul’s. When she’d gotten close, he ordered Riley to go into one of the side chapels and wait with the priest and not to come out until he heard Finola enter the church.
Even though Riley had wanted to be the one to greet her when she arrived on the doorstep, Bellamy had gone out. Riley didn’t know exactly what Bellamy had said to Finola, but he was trying to trust the matchmaker to work his magic.
When she’d walked in, Riley’s heart nearly stopped working. And he grinned like a madman at the realization that she’d come, just the way Bellamy had predicted she would. But Rileyhad wiped away his smile, walked calmly out of the chapel, and took his place in front of the prayer rail the way Bellamy had instructed.
Bellamy had said to wait and let Finola come to him, that he wasn’t to encourage her in any way, that she had to be the one to pursue him this time. Bellamy’s advice made sense. Finola had to recognize her need for him on her own.
