Her Irish Surrender by Kit Morgan

jealous men, not to mention a few women, and the idiotic things they were capable of. Herbert Walker wasn’t acting like an idiot, but he was acting in a strange manner, at least as far as she could tell.
    “Let’s go then, dearie. We’ ll have lunch together, then ye can read to him,” Mrs. Brody said with a smile.
    Adaline forced herself to ignore Mr. Walker, and le t Mrs. Brody take her hand and lead her from the church.  They stopped and said their farewells to Reverend Franklin and his wife, then began the trek to the bookshop with the Van Cleets whom they also invited to lunch.  When they had walked at least halfway back, she chanced a peek over her shoulder to see if Mr. Walker followed, but there was no sign of him.  She breathed a sigh of relief, and continued on.
    “Now, I hope you don’t mind soup and biscuits,” Mrs. Brody said as they went up the stairs. “Lorcan has kept us pretty busy.”
    “No apologies are necessary, Mrs. Brody. We’re happy no matter what you serve.” Mr. Van Cleet chuckled.  “Ah, might I have a moment with the boy?”
      “I don’t see why not, though he might be disappointed to see you instead of Miss Dermont here,” Mr. Brody said as he gave Adaline a wink and opened the door to their living quarters. She blus hed as they filed in and went to the parlor.
    “ Make yerselves at home,” Mrs. Brody insisted as she grabbed an apron off a peg near the kitchen. “I’ll have lunch ready in a moment.”
    Adalin e and Mrs. Van Cleet seated themselves on a love seat, as Mr. Brody led Mr. Van Cleet down the hall to Lorcan’s room. Adaline clasped her hands tightly in her lap as she watched them go in.
    “Don’t you worry, he’ll recover,” Mrs. Van Cleet said.
    Adaline looked at her. “I know. It’s just that he looks so awful.”
    The older woman smiled. “Men do things we women think make no sense. But you can trust Lorcan. I know you can.”
    Adaline gave her a weak smile. “So I’m learning, Mrs. Van Cleet.”
    “Oh please, call me Polly, a nd you can call Mr. Van Cleet, Cyrus.” She straightened herself and smiled. “You could do a lot worse, than Lorcan Brody.”
    Adaline stared her. “I beg your pardon?”
    “Oh come now, dear. I’ve seen the look on your face when his name is mentioned.  I know you’ve only been here a short time, but  … well, you’ll give the man a chance, won’t you?”
    Adaline stared at her. “Mrs. Van Cleet … er … Polly, Lorcan Brody has given no sign that he wishes to court me.”
    She gave her a bemused look. “Trust me, it’s only a matter of time, child. And it would make Mr. and Mrs. Brody the happiest peop le on Earth if he were to marry you.”
    Adaline blushed a deep red.
    “You too, I think,” she added with a smile.
    The door to Lorcan’s room opened, and Adaline fought the urge to stand.  Good Heavens! Was Polly right?  Did she have feelings for Lorcan that others could see? She swallowed hard and waited as the men came into the parlor.
    Mr. Brody waved toward the hall. “He’s all yours, Miss Dermont.”
     
    * * *
    Lorcan lay upon the bed, his chest burning with anticipation. He still couldn’t see, and the doctor had come while his family was at church and examined him.  He put cold compresses of witch hazel on his eyes, and wrapped a bandage around his head to hold them in place.  He must look like the devil and he hoped the sight of him didn’t frighten poor Adaline.  He’d dreamt of her, and thought she’d sat in his room with him all night, but his mother told him she’d gone home after spending but a few moments with him after work the day before.  Though that may be true, he heard her voice through out the night …
    “Hello.”
    He smiled as best he could when she spoke. His jaw felt like the devil, his head worse, but he’d put up with the aches and pains as it beat the alternative.  By rights he should be dead. In fact, it was a bloody miracle he still breathed at