5
FROM BEHIND AN ELM TREE at the side of the house, Adam watched the steady stream of cars and carriages arriving for his sister’s graduation party. He couldn’t deny that it hurt to be banned from the festivities. Not that he’d miss the crowds of impeccably dressed people, all fawning over one another with false niceties—but he would have liked to congratulate Brianna on her achievement. Of all his siblings, Adam had thought his tender-hearted sister would be the one to welcome him home and help ease him back into the family fold.
He stepped farther back into the shadows to ensure no one would see him. Assured of his anonymity, he continued to study a group of people alighting from a familiar car driven by Sam Turnbull. Sam often drove Father’s Model T when required to chauffeur family members, and tonight was no exception.
Rylan Montgomery emerged from the rear door and held out his hand. Colleen followed, resplendent in her evening gown, and gave the man a loving smile. Regret—sharp and biting—rose through Adam’s chest. As children, he and Colleen had been close—until Adam had taken a path that had destroyed his family’s trust.
Another figure stepped from the car. Adam jerked to attention, every sense tuned to her presence. He recognized her immediately: the girl from the orphanage, the one the children had called Miss Montgomery. Suddenly, it all made sense. The dark hair, the Irish accent. This woman was not an employee, but a relative of Rylan’s.
She straightened and ran a hand over her flared skirt. Her dark-as-midnight hair cascaded over her bare shoulders in a fall of curls. Even at this distance, her beauty stole the breath from Adam’s lungs.
What would it be like to be waiting inside with his parents and be properly introduced to this fetching creature? To kiss her hand, ask her to dance, hold her in his arms?
The fantasy took hold for a moment, shimmering like a mirage just out of reach, then faded into the background. Such would never be the case. He had forfeited the right to woo a respectable woman.
His hand curled into a fist at his side. Why had he let his antagonism toward his father get so out of hand, to the point where getting back at him had been worth ruining Adam’s own life? What an immature fool he’d been.
Unable to look away, Adam watched until Miss Montgomery moved out of sight toward the front entrance. Then he blew out a disgusted breath and slunk off to the shadows of the barn—back with the animals where he belonged.
The O’Learys’ brick mansion was grander than any house Gabe had ever seen, from the white pillars that framed the double front doors to the crystal chandelier gracing the entranceway.
Over the years, Gabe had heard his mother speak of her distant cousin, Kathleen O’Leary, who lived in America, but never had Gabe pictured the woman living anywhere as posh as this.
From the rapt expression on Maggie’s face, it appeared she was as awestruck by the grandeur as he. Gabe smiled to himself. His little sister had never looked more beautiful, her hair fashioned in an intricate sweep of curls and ribbons. Wearing the green silk dress she’d borrowed from Colleen, Maggie resembled a maiden from a fairy tale.
On the other hand, Gabe felt like a stuffed turkey, trussed up in one of Rylan’s fancy suits. He’d choose to wear fire gear over the tight cravat at his neck any day. As a rule, Gabe didn’t mind socializing, but he preferred a cozier spot, such as Declan’s pub back home, where he knew every man, woman, and child. Not a huge room like this with close to a hundred strangers.
It occurred to him then that Maggie had been very quiet all the way into Long Island and even now seemed unusually subdued. Normally on such a grand occasion, she would have been chattering away about the elegant guests and the striking décor.
“Are you feeling unwell, Maggie? If so, I’d be happy to take you home.”
She blinked up at him. “I’m fine. Why?”
“It’s not like you to be so quiet.”
Her glance slid away. “I’ve a lot on my mind, is all.”
Before he could determine what sort of things might be plaguing her, Colleen came to usher them across the crowded parlor to the piano situated near a set of French doors that opened onto a terrace. A distinguished-looking man stood beside a woman whose resemblance to Colleen was unmistakable.
“Mama, Daddy.” Colleen’s excited voice cut through the murmur of conversation humming in the room.
The woman’s features flooded with pleasure. “Colleen.” She rushed forward to gather her daughter in a warm embrace, then allowed Rylan to kiss her cheek.
Rylan gestured behind him. “Kathleen and James, this is my brother Gabriel and my baby sister, Maggie.”
Kathleen came forward to hug both Gabe and Maggie. “It’s so wonderful to meet you.” She took Maggie’s face in her hands. “Why, Maggie, you look just like your dear mother at the same age. We were as close as sisters until I came to America with my family.”
Maggie smiled. “I know. Mum talks about you often.”
Kathleen turned her attention to Gabe. “And you, young man. You’re as handsome as your brother. The same dimples, too, I see.”
Gabe grinned, finding it impossible to resist her cheeriness. “A Montgomery trademark.”
James O’Leary stepped forward to shake Gabe’s hand. “Good to meet you, lad. Are you enjoying your visit to America so far?”
“Yes, sir. New York is a fascinating city.”
Kathleen looped her hand through her husband’s arm. “Gabe, I understand you’re staying in Colleen and Rylan’s attic room. If you’d be more comfortable here, we have more than enough space and would love to have you.”
A movement across the room caught Gabe’s eye. The shimmer of jewels and a flash of golden hair riveted his attention. Gabe forgot to breathe as the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen turned her head and met his gaze.
Maggie elbowed him in the side. “You didn’t answer Kathleen’s question.”
“Ah, sorry. I got distracted by all the . . . beauty surrounding me.”
Maggie gave an impolite snort.
“Thank you kindly for the offer, Kathleen, but I’m volunteering at the fire station a few blocks from Rylan’s, so it’s best for me to be close by.”
The arrival of a smiling young woman with red hair and green eyes interrupted them. She rushed forward and threw her arms around Colleen.
Colleen returned her embrace with enthusiasm. “Congratulations, Bree. We’re so proud of you.”
After introductions to the guest of honor, Maggie became engrossed in a lively conversation with Brianna and Colleen. Looking past them, Gabe scanned the room for another glimpse of the golden-haired girl he’d spied across the way.
Disappointment slid through him when he couldn’t locate her. Perhaps she’d been a figment of his imagination. He shook his head to clear his foolish imaginings.
The crowd shifted, and Gabe found himself standing alone. He used the opportunity to slip out the French doors onto the stone terrace. Once outside, he inhaled the fragrant night air, scented with flowers from the garden below. Here, with room to breathe, the invisible fingers of tension began to fade away.
He crossed to the stone balustrade and stared over the grounds below. How his mother would love the multitude of flowers blooming in Kathleen’s garden. He wished that she’d been well enough to make the ocean voyage with them.
Gabe pushed back thoughts of home and walked the length of the balcony, suddenly desiring a stroll among the greenery. He descended the shallow steps to the garden path and continued along the winding trail, drinking in the wonderful scents. In the dimming light of dusk, the colors appeared muted. He’d love to return in the daytime to see the blooms in all their vibrancy.
A loud crack split the silence, bringing Gabe up short.
“Take your hand off me this instant.”
There was no mistaking a woman’s distress. He rounded the corner to find a man and woman engaged in a struggle. The man had his hand wrapped around the girl’s arm, an angry red welt marring his cheek.
The woman’s back was to Gabe, leaving him unable to ascertain her facial expression. He didn’t relish the idea of intruding on a lover’s quarrel; nevertheless, he couldn’t leave without ensuring her safety.
Seemingly oblivious of Gabe’s presence, the man glared at the girl. “What did you think I intended when I invited you out here? Intellectual conversation?”
She struggled against his grip. “I took you at your word. That you wanted a stroll in the garden.”
“No one could be that naïve.”
Gabe stepped out of the shadows. “Excuse me. Is there a problem here?”
The man’s head whipped up. “A simple misunderstanding,” he snapped. “None of your concern.”
Gabe turned his attention to the woman and had to fight not to gape. It was the girl he’d seen inside earlier. Her porcelain skin showcased wide, slightly fearful eyes and perfectly bowed lips. Hair of the palest yellow sat in a halo of curls around her head. Gabe swallowed in an attempt to unstick his tongue. “Are you in need of assistance, miss?”
The man dragged her along the path. “She is not.”
“Yes, I am. This man is accosting me.”
The note of panic in her voice aroused Gabe’s protective reflexes. “You will let her go immediately.”
The man stopped. “Or what?”
“Or I will make you,” Gabe said calmly.
The man sneered, scanning Gabe from head to toe. “You think I’m afraid of an Irish dandy?”
With considerable effort, Gabe held on to his temper. The man was clearly trying to gain the upper hand with insults, but Gabe refused to give him the satisfaction. “You still haven’t removed your hand from the lady’s arm.”
The man gave a low growl and lunged at Gabe, who neatly sidestepped him, sending him sprawling into a nearby bush.
Gabe moved back to the girl, who stood rubbing her arm. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Her eyes widened. “Watch out behind you.”
Gabe whirled, but not in time to avoid the man’s fist, which plowed into Gabe’s jaw. An explosion of pain radiated through his cheek as he reeled backward. Gabe shook his head, regained his footing, and charged forward. As much as he’d hoped to avoid a physical set-to, it seemed this oaf needed further persuasion to leave the girl alone. Thankful for his firefighter training that kept him in good condition, Gabe ducked under another attempted punch. Then, in one swift movement, he hauled the fellow over his shoulder and, spying a water fountain a few feet away, strode over to dump the lout into the shallow pool.
“Cool off in there awhile, and maybe next time you’ll respect a lady’s wishes.”
The man sputtered and thrashed in an attempt to right himself.
Gabe returned to the girl. “I’d best escort you inside before he comes after us again.” He held out his arm to her.
She nodded and slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. Together they made their way to the back terrace. At the French doors where Gabe had exited, he paused. The girl’s slender hand trembled on his arm. He glanced down, trying to ascertain her emotional state.
“Do you want to go inside? Or is there someone I can get for you?” As much as Gabe wanted to be the one to help her, he realized he was a stranger to her.
She shook her head. “I can’t face my father right now.”
The sight of tears standing in her startling blue eyes made Gabe’s stomach muscles clench. “Tell me what to do. Just please don’t cry.”
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She dabbed it against her cheek and sniffed, then gestured to a bench farther down the terrace. “Could we sit for a minute? I don’t think Jared will come back, now that he’s drenched. He’s too vain to be seen in such a state.”
Gabe escorted her over to the bench. “This Jared, is he a suitor of yours?”
She took a seat, arranging her pale blue skirts around her. A frown formed tiny ridges between her brows. “No. Just a family acquaintance. Though my father would be happy if he were a suitor.”
“Why is that?” Gabe couldn’t imagine any father wanting a man like that for his daughter.
“Papa wishes to marry me off. He insists on introducing me to potential husbands whenever the occasion arises.”
The sorrow in her tone and the slump of her shoulders made Gabe wish he could sweep away all her problems. “Why would he be needing to marry you off? I can’t see how you’d have trouble finding a husband. Unless you’ve got an extra leg hidden under your skirt.”
Her mouth gaped open. Then, just as Gabe had hoped, she threw her head back and laughed. The sound lightened his heart.
“No extra leg, I promise.”
“Whew, that’s good to know.” He grinned at her. “My name is Gabriel Montgomery, by the way.”
“Aurora Hastings.”
He looked into her eyes. “Aurora. A fitting name for one who lights up the room like the sun.”
Aurora stared at the handsome Irishman sitting beside her. If any other man had paid her such an outrageous compliment, he’d have sounded foolish. But coming from him, the words made her heart tap dance in her chest.
A rosy hue infused his cheeks. “Forgive me. I’ve no right to speak to you like that.”
“I don’t mind,” she said softly. “I like the way you talk. Did you come to America recently?”
“Aye. A couple of weeks ago. I’m here with my sister, Maggie. We’re visiting our brother Rylan for the summer.”
Aurora blinked. “Rylan Montgomery?”
“That’s right. Do you know Rylan?”
“I do. He’s doing admirable work with the orphans.” A blush heated her cheeks. “I volunteer at St. Rita’s whenever I can.”
“I’m glad my brother places so high in your estimation.” Gabriel grinned, his teeth flashing white in the glow from the interior. “But wait until you meet my sister. She’s more stubborn than our mule back home, as the rest of my brothers can attest.”
Aurora laughed, deciding there was no need to mention meeting Maggie at a suffrage gathering. “How many brothers do you have?”
“Three. Tommy, Paddy, and Rylan. Maggie is the youngest. She’s had to endure us all constantly trying to protect her.”
Aurora gave a soft sigh. “I always wished I had brothers and sisters. I used to envy my friends fighting with their siblings.”
He cocked his head, still holding her gaze. “An only child?”
“Yes. Which is another reason why my father is so . . . controlling.”
“I see. Well, clearly he has terrible taste in suitors, if Jared is anything to go by.”
She shook her head. “Jared is not the only ill-suited man my father has paired me with. But that’s a story for another time.” She gave an apologetic shrug. “As much as I’m enjoying our talk, I should go back inside.” With reluctance, she rose from the bench.
Gabe stood with her.
“I don’t think I thanked you for helping me.” She frowned and pointed at his jaw. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“That little punch? Hardly noticed it.”
She bit her lip to keep back a giggle. Ladies did not giggle, as Papa so often admonished her.
Gabe took her hand and bent to kiss it. Flutters vibrated in her stomach.
“It was lovely to meet you, Aurora. I hope I’ll see you again.”
Aurora’s breath swirled in her strangled lungs. “I hope so, too.”
As he escorted her back into the noisy parlor, Aurora gave herself a mental shake. No point in getting foolish notions about a man who lived an ocean away.
Her future was here in New York. And if things continued in a favorable way, it might include a relationship with a handsome doctor who shared her passion for medicine.
A solid, dependable man. Not a charming Irish rogue.
Her life had no place for a man like that.