MB01 - Unending Devotion (26 page)

“I’m not really sure why he decided he needed a home this size,” Connell said, “especially since it’s just my mam and dad—and the servants.”

“It is rather large.” Her mind couldn’t even begin to comprehend why two people would need to live so extravagantly. In fact, she couldn’t understand why a family of
any
size would need such a large house—not when she’d grown up living with dozens of other children in sterile brick buildings that rivaled the McCormick mansion in size.

Her memory of living in a real home had faded—until Oren had brought her to his second-floor home above the photography studio. His few small rooms had seemed like paradise at the time, compared with anything she’d ever known.

But Connell’s family home was like an entirely different world.

“I suppose Dad just wanted to keep up with what all his friends were doing.” Connell reached for her hand again, and this time she allowed him to help her down.

He nodded to the house across the street, which was not as large, but still a finely designed Victorian-style home. “He had a house built for my brother and his wife as a wedding gift.”

“That’s a big gift,” Lily said.

“Especially for someone who doesn’t appreciate what he’s got.” Bitterness edged his voice as he assisted Daisy from the sleigh.

Connell greeted a man who had come around the house from the livery. He handed over the reins with instructions to take care of the team and supplies. Then Connell guided her and Daisy up a plank walkway to the front door.

Delicate leaves were carved into the panels of the door, and equally intricate carvings adorned the swan brackets above the porch posts. If every little detail of the outside of the home spoke of a style of living that was far above her own, what would she find on the inside? And how would she ever hope to fit in—not that she wanted to—but how could she take one step inside without feeling like a foreigner?

When he reached for the door handle in the shape of a lion’s head, she touched his arm and stopped him. “Are you sure this is the best place for us?”

He quirked his brow.

“I mean, look at us.” She lifted the faded material of her everyday skirt—made over from one of Betty’s old dresses after she’d died. “What will your mother think of you bringing two homeless girls into her beautiful house?”

“Mam will love you.” His eyes radiated confidence.

“Do you think so?” Suddenly she wanted his words to be true more than anything. She wanted Connell’s mother to like her and to approve of her. Not just as a charity case. But because of Connell. For Connell.

“Don’t worry,” he said.

“But what about the rumors she heard about us? What will she think of me?”

“She’ll think you’re a special woman.” His voice softened. “Just like I do.”

Daisy smiled. “I think I’m beginning to understand what’s going on.”

Lily was relieved to see Daisy’s smile, the first she’d given her since the rescue. Even if it was more of a smirk, it was still something.

“You and Connell are . . . you know . . .” Daisy wagged a finger back and forth between them, and her eyes took on a knowing glint.

Lily shook her head, fighting back a flush of embarrassment. “We’re just friends.”

“You’re falling for Connell.”

“Now, Daisy, that’s enough.” She tried to make her voice stern.

Daisy’s smile crept higher.

Connell looked from one to the other, his expression full of curiosity.

“It’s true,” Daisy persisted. “I can see it in your eyes.”

“Let’s just go in.” Before Daisy could say anything more to embarrass her, Lily stepped to the door, hoping Connell wouldn’t see the same thing Daisy had noticed.

Connell grinned, reached past her, and opened the door.

Warm light spilled over them as they walked into the wide front entryway. Lily stopped short and gazed at the long spacious hall in wonder. A welcoming fire crackled in a tiled fireplace with a curved settee positioned in front of it. A wide winding staircase rose at the far end. And a crystal chandelier dangled from the high ceiling.

She had the urge to slip off her boots lest she soil the bright hues of the lush oblong carpet that covered the polished hardwood floor. The luxury of the long hallway was everything she had expected and more, from the mahogany wood paneling and vibrant patterned wallpaper to the scrolling frieze. Though it was just the entrance, it was the fanciest room she’d ever seen.

She had the urge to step back outside, to demand that Connell take her and Daisy somewhere else, but he closed the door behind them with a thud that echoed of finality.

“Who’s there?” a voice called from the parlor.

“Just me, Mam,” Connell replied.

“Connell?” In an instant, a woman in an elegant evening dress glided into the hallway. The narrow plaitings of silk and the large bustle on the back of her skirt rustled with each graceful step.

“Hello, Mam.” Connell grinned.

The woman’s beautiful face registered first surprise, then delight. She rushed toward Connell, smiling in return, leaving a lovely rose-powder scent in her wake. Connell held out his arms to her, and she swept him into a crushing embrace.

Something joyously painful lodged in Lily’s throat. She’d never known a mother’s love—had never seen a display of affection like the one Connell’s mother was showering upon him. And even though she didn’t begrudge Connell his happiness, she couldn’t deny the keen longing for all she’d missed.

He pressed a kiss against his mother’s stylish coils of hair. The golden strands—probably once the shade of Connell’s—had begun to fade to the dimness of winter sunlight.

“It’s so good to see you.” Her voice had a slight Irish brogue. She stepped back and examined him, her eyes searching his face, as if she could read there all that was written in his heart.

The longing inside Lily swelled. What would it have been like to have a mother? To have had a real home? How different things might have been for her and Daisy.

Mrs. McCormick reached for Connell’s hands and squeezed them. “You look well.”

His grin faded, as if he sensed the depth of his mother’s probing and the unasked questions about what was happening. For surely from the second she’d heard his voice, she must have guessed something was dreadfully wrong for him to have left his work unattended to make the long ride home.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m all right.”

It was only then that Mrs. McCormick turned toward Lily and Daisy. Her kind eyes, so much like Connell’s, regarded them without judgment.

“Mam, this is Lily and her sister Daisy.”

Lily nodded. “Evening.”

Daisy murmured a shy greeting.

“I’m pleased to meet you both,” the woman said, and from the sincerity in her tone, Lily could almost believe the woman meant it.

“Everything you’ve heard,” Connell rushed to explain. “None of it’s true.”

Mrs. McCormick smiled gently. “Of course it’s not, son. And I know in due time you’ll explain what’s going on.”

He nodded. “It’s a long story. And the short of it is that I need you to take care of Lily and Daisy for me.”

“I would be honored to.”

Lily didn’t know if love at first sight was possible, but she was suddenly overwhelmed with the woman’s kindness. She wanted to throw her arms around her and hug her.

“Connell?” A young woman appeared in the wide arched doorway of the parlor. She juggled a fussing baby against the silky pale blue and silver of her dress. The front of the skirt was trimmed with several ruffles below the waistline and embroidered with pearls. She wore a double strand of matching pearls around her slender neck and appeared every bit as refined as Mrs. McCormick.

At the sight of the woman, Connell stiffened and took a step back toward the door.

Mrs. McCormick laid a hand on Connell’s arm as if to stop him from leaving. “Tierney is working late tonight, and I invited Rosemarie to spend the evening with me.”

The muscles in Connell’s jaw flexed.

“She’s brought their baby.” Mrs. McCormick’s voice had a soft pleading quality to it. “Your niece.”

Rosemarie took a step toward Connell and then stopped. The graceful lines of her face were creased with uncertainty.

Lily’s heartbeat came to a slow and pattering halt. Who was this woman? And why was Connell having such a strong reaction to her?

Mrs. McCormick squeezed Connell’s arm, and her gaze gently admonished him.

He nodded curtly. “Good evening, Rosemarie. Congratulations on the birth of your baby.”

She gave a hesitant smile. “Thank you.”

“I hope you’re both in good health.”

“We’re doing as well as can be expected.”

Connell didn’t meet the woman’s gaze, even though her eyes practically begged him to.

A twinge of something new pricked Lily. Had Connell harbored feelings for this woman at one time?

She had the urge to reach for his hand, to capture it and lay claim to him, although she had no right to. She didn’t want him looking at anyone but her or thinking about another woman. She wanted to be the only one.

In Harrison, she had been the only single young woman for miles around. Connell hadn’t had any other options. But here? Even if Rosemarie was his sister-in-law, there were other women who would vie for a man of Connell’s winsome character and wealthy status—not to mention his clean-cut handsomeness.

What chance did she have to win Connell’s affection against other women? And why did she even want to win it?

Mrs. McCormick summoned the maid to serve them dinner. Even though Connell’s mother apologized for the simplicity of the fare, the meal of fluffy biscuits, fresh oranges, mini sausages, and sliced cheese was one of the most delicious Lily had ever eaten.

Or maybe sitting in the fancy dining room made the meal seem that much nicer. The light from the wrought-iron chandelier and from the large fireplace made the polished black oak dining-room table gleam like the clear surface of a lake. Every piece of furniture, from the matching sideboards to the mantel, was elaborately carved. And everything that could be covered in velour or silk was—the curtains, pillows in the box seats of the bay windows, and the cushions on the chairs.

When they finished their dinner, Mrs. McCormick ushered them up the winding stairway, past dozens of colorful oil paintings, past the vast rooms on the second floor, to the third story. She led them down a hallway beyond the glittering ballroom to the guest rooms.

The moment Mrs. McCormick opened the door to the first guest room and waved them in, Daisy collapsed on the bed and was violently ill. Mrs. McCormick was ready with the basin she had grabbed when she had noticed Daisy’s coloring earlier. She retched until she could hardly moan.

Much to Lily’s surprise, Mrs. McCormick stayed by the girl’s side. She helped Daisy undress and slide under the covers, bathed the girl’s face with a cool cloth, and held the basin for her whenever she retched.

“How’s Daisy?” Connell’s voice startled Lily as she stepped into the dimly lit hallway and closed the guest room door behind her.

Connell pushed away from the wall, where he’d obviously been waiting.

Lily brushed a loose strand out of her face, hoping she’d left the stench of vomit behind.

Connell approached her, his brow wrinkled with concern.

“She’s got the chills and can’t stop shaking. Your mother is sending me to fetch more chamomile from the maid.”

“I’m sorry, Lily.” He lifted an arm as if to reach for her, but then stuck the tips of his fingers into his small trouser pockets. “I sent the stable hand after the doctor. Maybe he’ll have something to ease the withdrawal.”

“Do you think she’s addicted to liquor?”

“I’m fairly sure.” His expression was sober.

As much as she supported temperance, she knew it wouldn’t do any good to get upset at Daisy for imbibing. “I suppose the liquor took the edge off the horror and pain of what she went through.”

He nodded. “Many prostitutes resort to drinking in order to survive. Daisy will be miserable for several days, but she’ll get through it.”

Lily rubbed her arms, wishing she could take away all of Daisy’s pain and make it her own.

“How are you doing?”

His question was soft and it wrapped around her, warming her heart. “I’m overwhelmed by your home.”

“It’s not mine.”

She smiled. “And I’m overwhelmed by your mother. She’s amazing.”

Connell grinned. “I won’t disagree with you on that count.”

“She’s just what Daisy needs right now.”

“Then you promise you won’t run off? That you’ll stay here?”

His tone stopped her playful answer. She cocked her head. “You’re not leaving tonight, are you?”

“Tomorrow.”

“That’s so soon. Why can’t you stay for a few days?”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The dark shadows that flitted through the pine green of his eyes were only the beginning of the storm that would pour down upon him once Carr learned of his involvement in the escape.

“Do you really need to go back and face Carr?” She didn’t want to think about the danger that might await him upon his return.

“Not face him? Weren’t you the one who said I needed to join in the fight against him, regardless of the cost?” He grinned but the humor didn’t make it into his eyes.