Reclaimed Love: Banished Saga, Book Two (15 page)

“Though you married into a wealthy family,” Mrs. Smythe argued.

“I had the fortune of loving a man who did not have to struggle to survive, yes. Though I would not have married him had I not loved him.”

“Pshaw. So you say now. I imagine, at the time, his money was as much an inducement to marriage as his handsome face, the cut of his clothes or his pretty words. You are a hypocrite, Mrs. Chickering.”

“I am no such thing, Mrs. Sullivan. I am able to adapt to the times I live in, rather than desperately cling to a bygone era in the hopes that my perceived life will be deemed important.”

“You have no right to fill my dearest Clarissa’s head with such foolish notions.”

“I have done no such thing. I believe they were already filled by the time I met her,” Sophie said with pride. “She will determine her own future in a way that neither you nor I could ever have imagined.”

“Now you speak absolute nonsense. Her future has been known for years. She will marry an acceptable man, live in a good home and have children. That is her destiny.”

CHAPTER 11

“WHERE’S AMELIA?” GABRIEL ASKED as he, Matthew and Ronan settled at the Egans’ dining room table for an impromptu poker night. Nicholas was in bed, and Liam had agreed to watch him while Amelia was out. Ronan rolled up his shirtsleeves to mimic the time he had won $5, Matthew had donned his lucky hat, Liam stroked his walrus mustache for a “little help from the faeries” and Gabriel wore Clarissa’s Christmas sweater.

“That’s a pretty sweater, Gabe, but it won’t help you win,” Ronan taunted as he waited for Liam to deal the cards.

“She’s at the Hall, preparing for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Hard to believe ’tis in a few days,” Liam said as he answered Gabriel’s question. “And I don’t see how rolling up your sleeves will make ye more apt to win, ye luckless bugger.” He winked at Gabe as he dealt.

“I’m surprised you’d let her go with the Ghost on the loose,” Ronan said. He glared at Liam as Liam dealt.

Gabriel wasn’t sure if Ronan’s glare was due to his cards or Amelia being out with a purported ghost haunting the citizens of Centerville, determined to frighten everyone with whom it crossed paths.

“And I’m the only one among us who’s won at cards. A bit of superstition will bring me luck,” Liam said.

“It won’t bring you a big payday as Gabe refuses to play for anything worthwhile. Pennies.” Matthew sighed as he threw one into the ante and then stared at his cards before looking at Liam. “Are you mad? Even if Amelia has an escort, she won’t be safe. It didn’t stop a group of men from nearly jumping out of their skins the other evening.”

Ronan grunted in agreement.

Matthew tipped back his bedraggled bowler hat as he studied his cards again.

“And when was the last time I was successful in denying anything to my Amelia?” Liam asked with a long-suffering sigh. “I tried to make her see sense, you know? But she trammeled my arguments and continued on her way out the door.”

“Last I looked, I thought you were her husband,” Matthew said. He glanced toward Gabriel with a mischievous smirk.

“Sure you can say that to me when you have your own woman to contend with. They’ve minds of their own, and, if they’re happy, they want to do as they please.”

“But surely not if she is in danger?” Gabriel asked.

“Now, would you be telling your Clarissa what she could or couldn’t do?” Liam raised an amused eyebrow in Gabriel’s direction. At Gabriel’s shake of his head, Liam chuckled. “I didn’t think so. Womenfolk like a man around to help at times, aye. But other times, they want to be free to do what they will.”

“Even if they’re making a mistake?” Ronan asked. “Then why marry if not to have a man’s support and listen to his counsel?”

“Ah, that’s the grand part of it. She knows she has my support, and I am fortunate she feels free enough to tell me what she wants. Besides, ’tis a sure thing, too soon she’ll be tied to the wee babe, unable to enjoy time with her friends.”

“Who’ll see her home?”

“I’d hoped to, if you’d stay with little Nicholas while I went by the Hall.”

At his friend’s nod of agreement, they began the serious work of playing poker.

“Gabe, you seem distracted,” Matthew said. “Is that lady of yours finally coming out here?”

“No, but I just received word that Jeremy is finally home from the Philippines!”

Liam slapped his cards onto the table and clapped Gabriel around the shoulders. “Fantastic news, Gabe. How is he? Will he join you out here?”

“I think he is recovering from malaria and a wound to his leg. And, no, I doubt he’ll travel to Montana.”

“He’ll live with your other brother, I’d imagine,” Liam said as he rose to find his stash of liquor. He pulled out four small glasses and clunked them on the table. “This calls for a celebratory dram.” He poured a sip into each glass and raised his in a toast. “To Gabe’s long-lost brother, home at last. May he find peace and health. May you see him soon.”

They all raised their glasses and nodded their agreement before drinking down the whiskey. “Jesus, Liam, where’d you get that stuff?” Ronan groaned as Gabriel and Matthew coughed uncontrollably.

“One of the old-timers said he brought it with him from the old country,” Liam said, seeming unaffected by the harsh flavor of the
poitin
.

“Tastes more like moonshine than whiskey,” Gabriel choked out, wiping tears from his eyes. “You could have warned us what we were getting.”

“Well, ’tis a bit rough, and I fear the man may have tried to make it himself, but I thought you were all strong enough to handle it.” He watched them with a hint of amusement.

“Are you trying to kill your best mates?” Matthew asked.

“Some welcome home for my brother,” Gabriel said.

Liam finally let out a chortle of laughter. “Well, you know Amelia doesn’t like to have alcohol in the house. ’Twas the only way she’d allow it in, if it came from Seamus O’Donnell coming back from Ireland.”

“Even then, I doubt she was pleased,” Gabriel whispered. “Especially if she knew the caliber of the drink.”

“She knew I wouldn’t be tempted to have too much at one go,” Liam said with another chuckle. “Ah, but at any rate, your brother’s home safe, Gabe.” He glanced at the clock. “And I should be away to the Hall to check on my Amelia.”

“We’ll stay here with Nicholas. Never fear, we’ll drink you dry,” Ronan said.

Liam laughed as he donned his coat, hat and scarf before departing into the cold night air.

Liam and Amelia returned nearly an hour later to find Gabriel, Matthew and Ronan playing five-card stud. Gabriel shivered at the cold breeze that entered with the opened door. A sole lamp limned the table with faint light, casting long shadows over the room and players. Through the open bedroom door, Nicholas’s gentle snore could be heard.

Gabriel threw down his cards in disgust. “Thank God we’re only playing for pennies,” he said as he glanced up to smile a greeting to Amelia and Liam. Then he glared at Ronan and Matthew. “You’re both cardsharks.”

“We’ve had our share of matches,” Ronan said as he pulled his winnings toward him. “Though I won’t get rich off you miserly—”

“No ghost tonight?” Matthew asked. He took off his hat and tossed it on the table before leaning back in his chair, his arms behind his head.

“No, and I’m not sure I believe in the ghost nonsense,” Amelia said with a smile to Matthew, Ronan and Gabriel.

“Mother of God, woman. Are you trying to get yourself cursed?”

“Liam...”

“You know better than to doubt the spirits, love.” He shivered once before collapsing into the chair he had vacated over an hour earlier.

Amelia glanced around the table, glaring for a moment at the bottle of
poitin
. “I see you’re set on killing yourself and your friends aboveground, Liam.”

Gabriel laughed. “I thought I would die after one sip of that swill. God help the Irish if that is the best you can do.” Gabriel winked at Amelia.

“You know bloody well we make some of the best spirits and ales you’ll ever be fortunate enough to drink,” Liam said.

“How’s the Hall looking, Amelia?” Ronan asked. He stretched in his chair.

“As my darling husband would say, ‘grand.’ We could have used your help, Gabriel, hanging the decorations.”

“I would have—” Gabriel began before Liam cut him off.

“You’re the one insistent on banning men from the goings-on tonight, Amelia. Wanted some sort of hen party. Should have realized we have our uses.” Liam smiled.

“Incorrigible,” she said as she brushed his auburn hair off his forehead. She looked toward the others. “I’ll see you at the party?”

“Of course,” they said in unison.

“Then I wish you good night.”

***

A FEW NIGHTS LATER on St. Patrick’s Day evening, Gabriel followed Matthew, Ronan and a stream of men and women into the Hibernian Hall. Some of the men listed from side to side, the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations having begun that morning with the parade down Broadway. Gabriel ascended the steps into the well-lit Hall to the sounds of a lively reel.

“It seems John McNamara and his lads have already started playing,” Liam said from behind. Gabriel turned to smile at Liam and Amelia. Amelia waddled from the increasing weight of the baby and had begun to pant from the exertions of the short walk from their house.

“Evening, Liam, Amelia,” Gabriel said as he turned back into the room and scanned the area. “I think there’s a chair over there by the windows, Amelia.” Gabriel nodded toward the opposite wall. The Hall glowed from the electric lights. John McNamara and his band sat on a small raised dais off to one side, playing rousing Irish and Western tunes. Green banners were strung overhead, forming a complex pattern similar to that of a spider’s web. The wooden floor shook from the dancers’ feet.

The line to obtain a pint seemed to grow every minute. Ronan and Matthew joined friends from the mine, and Gabriel heard the beginnings of a tall tale as he moved past them to enter farther into the room. The punch bowl sat on the opposite side of the room.

“I don’t want to spend the evening sitting down,” Amelia protested. “This is one of my last nights out before the baby comes. I want to dance and move about, speaking with my friends.”

“No need to be foolish, love. ’Tis best to have a place to sit if you become tired. And you’re tired now,” Liam said with a pat to her hand looped through his elbow. He led her toward a free chair near the back wall. Gabriel stood behind her, leaning against the wall, watching the room.

“I hate it when you’re right,” Amelia grumbled as she collapsed into the chair, giving her belly an affectionate pat.

“Who’s taking care of Nicholas tonight?” Gabriel asked.

“Thankfully, our neighbor, Sheila, was willing to care for Nicholas. I could not have stood missing this party.” Amelia sighed as she tapped her feet to the rhythm of the music.

“Hey, Liam,” Matthew said as he rejoined them. “Here’s a pint for you.” He handed him one of the two he carried. “The brewery’s been stockpiling kegs for the celebrations, but I bet we still drink ’em dry by the end of the night.” He grinned as he took a long swallow from the dark brew.

“It’s a lucky thing the brewery’s in the Hall’s basement,” Gabriel said with a laugh, accepting a pint from Ronan. “No need for transportation costs.”

“Who’re you going to dance with, Matthew?” Ronan asked as he eyed the few single women standing near the punch bowl.

“I doubt they’d dance with a miner,” Matthew muttered.

“I heard they might, especially since you’ve been taking those dancing lessons,” Amelia said.

“Dancing lessons?” Gabriel asked, biting down a laugh.

“I’ve helped him a time or two, before he met you all at the pub,” Amelia said.

“I thought you were writing letters home to your folks!” Gabriel said.

“Well, go on. Show us what you learned,” Ronan said as he chortled with laughter. He gave Matthew a gentle push toward the single ladies.

“I’d go with him, Ronan,” Liam said. “They like to move in packs. So should we.”

“Liam!”

Ronan winked at Amelia, put down his nearly empty pint glass on a nearby ledge and pulled on Matthew’s arm, skirting the dancing crowds and pulling him toward the waiting women. Gabriel shook his head at his friends.

“You should dance too, Gabriel,” Amelia murmured.

“The only woman I want to dance with is thousands of miles from here. I have no need of dancing.”

“You don’t dance, do you?” Liam asked with a laugh.

Gabriel grinned. “Not well. Thankfully that was never something I had to do with Clarissa.”

“Well, I do dance. And as they are playing a sweet waltz, I want to dance. Liam?” Amelia asked as she heaved herself to her feet.

“Of course, darling,” he said as he took her hand.

“Hello, Gabriel,” Morgan said, standing with Larry and Niall who both seemed to weave in place. Niall’s green eyes were duller than usual from drink while Larry’s cheeks were a rosy red.

“If you weave much more, Larry, you’ll be flat on your face,” Gabriel said.

“I know,” he slurred. “Been too damn good a party. Beg pardon, ma’am.” He turned bleary eyes toward Amelia and nodded.

“Liam, Amelia, these are the men I work with,” Gabriel said. “Larry Ferguson, Niall O’Donnell and Morgan O’Malley.”

“Nice to meet you,” Niall said. “Quite a celebration. The parade this morning was better than last year’s.” He waved toward the room, his jerky movement almost causing him and Larry to tumble to the floor.

“’Twas,” Liam said. “Nice turnout from all the members of the AOH. Always nice to hear our marching bands playing for some joyful reason.”

“I agree,” Niall said.

“Well, lads, I’m going to dance with me wife.” Liam clasped Amelia’s hand and led her onto the dance floor where another slow song, an air, had just begun.

“They seem like nice people,” Morgan said. Of the three, he seemed the most sober. His sharp gray eyes watched the room, noting partygoers’ interactions. His gaze settled on a group of single women across the room.

“The best,” Gabriel said as he watched Amelia laugh at something Liam whispered in her ear. He saw Ronan coax a bashful black-haired young woman to the floor. Soon Ronan had her chattering away in his ear. Gabriel looked for Matthew and found him speaking with a pair of women, although he made no move toward the dance floor.