Irish Meadows Page 5

  She speared him a furious glare and yanked away from his hold, only to lose her balance a second time. Rylan caught her before she tumbled once again. She landed against him with a thud, and the frantic beat of her heart fluttered against his chest. His amusement faded as his gaze locked with eyes the color of spring lilacs. Delicate skin and full lips startled Rylan, sending currents of electricity racing through his veins. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d held a woman in his arms. And never one of such startling beauty it robbed him of breath.

  The girl seemed as momentarily stunned as he. Taking advantage of her hesitation, he picked her up and carried her to a drier spot, where he managed to navigate the short incline to the road. Once beside the carriage, he set her gently on her feet.

  “A fine pair we are.” He took out a handkerchief from his pants pocket and attempted to wipe the mud from her face.

  “Give me that.” She snatched the cloth away from him and dabbed at her cheeks, smearing the dirt even more.

  “I doubt you’ll be wanting to go into town without a bath first.” He tried to joke with her, to ease the lines of worry from her face, but to his dismay, tears bloomed in those amazing eyes.

  “I was supposed to meet someone at the train. My mother will be furious with me.”

  He stopped brushing at the grime on his pants. “You’re not by any chance from the O’Leary house, are you now?”

  Her fingers froze, her eyes widened. “Yes. I’m Colleen O’Leary. How did you know?”

  He shook his head and bit back another grin. God was having a very good time with him today. “I’m Rylan Montgomery. Pleased to meet you, Colleen.”

  She took a step backward, her hand clutching the fabric at the neck of her dress as she scanned him from head to toe. “You . . . you can’t be Rylan Montgomery. You’re not a priest.”

  He laughed again. “Not yet. But one day soon, God willing.”

  “Oh.” The handkerchief fluttered to the road. The misery on her face clutched at him.

  “Come now. It’s not so bad. You found me after all, and other than getting a wee bit dirty, we’re all in one piece.”

  She huffed out a defeated sigh, and he suddenly longed for a return of the temper he’d glimpsed earlier.

  “Let’s turn the horses around. I’m sure we can get cleaned up before your mother even knows what happened.”

  The fluttering of hope in her eyes matched the hint of a smile on her lips. “Maybe we can. Mama’s out at a meeting for the afternoon.”

  “There you go. She’ll be none the wiser.”

  Colleen bent to retrieve a small straw hat from the grass, then primly pinned it on top of her mud-encrusted hair. He hid his amusement as he guided her onto the carriage bench, then hopped up to join her.

  She sat, as regal as a muddy queen, upon her throne. “Would you do me a favor, Mr. Montgomery?”

  “Don’t you think you should call me Rylan? After the adventure we’ve had, Mr. Montgomery sounds far too formal.”

  She lifted her chin. “Very well, Rylan. Would you mind driving the carriage back? I think I’ve had enough of horses for one day.”

  5

  GIL SAT BACK AT THE DINNER TABLE and observed the new O’Leary houseguest. Rylan Montgomery was the most unlikely-looking priest he’d ever seen. The man seemed far too at ease in his own skin and much too charming with his dark good looks and that strong Irish brogue, which seemed to have captivated everyone at the table.

  “So, Rylan, what exactly will you be doing at St. Rita’s?” Mrs. O’Leary beamed a smile across the table.

  “Learning the ways of a parish priest for the most part. Though I will be helping out at an orphanage a few days a week. I won’t know all the details until I meet with Reverend Filmore tomorrow.” He pushed his plate to one side and patted his stomach.

  “And why is it you can’t stay at the rectory?” Colleen sounded angry, though Gil couldn’t fathom why.

  Rylan only chuckled at her rude glare. “The rectory is undergoing renovations. Reverend Filmore is staying with his sister until the work is done.” He turned to Mrs. O’Leary. “Which is why I was ever so grateful to learn my mother had a distant cousin here in Long Island.”

  “Well, we’re more than happy to have you.” Mrs. O’Leary passed a platter of pastries down the table. “You didn’t say how Colleen found you at the station this afternoon. I trust everything went smoothly.”

  “Smooth as mud, Mrs. O’Leary.”

  Colleen choked on her tea, then quickly pressed a napkin to her mouth. Gil noted with interest the bloom of hot color in Colleen’s cheeks. Something had the girl off kilter—a rarity indeed.

  “Forgive me for saying so,” Gil said, “but you don’t look Irish.”

  Rylan grinned. “That’s my Italian blood showing. My grandmother on my father’s side was Italian. Hence the brown eyes and ruddy skin. The dimples, however, are all Irish.”

  Deirdre and Brianna laughed at his exaggerated facial expression, while Colleen scowled at the tablecloth.

  Maybe having Rylan Montgomery around wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Especially if the good reverend-in-training kept the eldest O’Leary sister duly preoccupied for the near future.

  Colleen tapped an impatient foot on the floral carpet in the parlor. If she had to listen to one more story from Rylan Montgomery about growing up in Ireland, she’d scream. He was the most infuriating man she’d ever met. And it was criminal the way he went around in ordinary clothing, charming everyone with his dreamy eyes and dimples. He should be forced to wear his priest’s garb so unsuspecting girls wouldn’t think . . .

  She pulled herself upright against the cushioned back of the settee. The white-and-gold clock on the mantel chimed nine o’clock. She shot to her feet, smoothing out the silk skirt of her lilac dress and feigned a deep yawn.

  “If nobody minds, I think I’ll head up to bed early. I’m especially tired tonight.” She moved to kiss her mother, trying not to notice Rylan’s gaze following her.

  Mama patted her arm. “The carriage ride into town must have worn you out.”

  Rylan’s laughter rang out over the room. “More than you’ll ever know, Mrs. O’Leary.”

  Colleen stumbled, her foot catching in the hem of her dress. By sheer willpower, she righted herself.

  A frown crossed her father’s features. “What do you mean by that, young man?” He turned his attention to Colleen and pinned her with a withering stare. “Nothing happened to the carriage, I hope.”

  Colleen gritted her teeth while planting a kiss on her father’s cheek. “It was nothing, Daddy,” she fibbed smoothly. “The horses gave me a bit of trouble, that’s all. Cousin Rylan drove on the way back, and everything was fine.”

  She kept her gaze averted from the side of the room where Rylan was seated, sure he was mocking her with his trademark grin.

  Her mother rose from her seat. “Tomorrow I’d like your help collecting some items to give Rylan for the orphanage. Maybe you could accompany him to the church if we’re ready in time.”

  Using all her self-control, Colleen smiled sweetly at her mother. “Of course, Mama.”

  She bid the room a cordial good night, and on the way upstairs, silently planned to develop one of her famous headaches in the morning.

  Rylan whistled on his way down the grand central staircase of the O’Leary home the next day. Cousin Kathleen, as she insisted he call her, had surely done well for herself. His gaze swept the tiled marble entranceway and the crystal chandelier suspended high above the ornate railing. This mansion was indeed a far cry from his family’s thatched cottage back in County Cork.

  At the bottom of the stairs, Rylan stopped to peer into the gold-framed mirror and make sure his clerical collar wasn’t crooked. In honor of his first day as an intern with Reverend Filmore, he figured he should dress the part. Truth be told, he was having trouble adjusting to the tightness of the collar, as well as the drabness of the black shirt and pants that made up his unifo
rm. He supposed he’d get used to it eventually. The most important thing was witnessing his dear mother’s tears of pride the first time she’d seen him in his priestly attire. Her joy made every itch of the uncomfortable cloth bearable.

  “Good morning, Rylan.” Kathleen appeared from the direction of the dining room. “I hope you’ll take some breakfast before you leave.”

  He smiled at the handsome woman, so fresh in her white blouse and rose-colored skirt, auburn hair swept up on her head. “Ah, yes. I’m a firm believer in a good breakfast to start the day off right.”

  Kathleen laughed. “Well, go on in and enjoy. I’m on my way to get those things I promised you for the orphanage.” She glanced at a small watch pinned to her blouse.

  “I’ll be sure and check with you before I go, then.” He paused. “Will anyone be joining me for breakfast?”

  “I’m afraid not. Brianna and the children have left for school. James and Adam are out on business, and Gil is already working in the study.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked up the stairs. “Only Colleen is unaccounted for, but that will be rectified in short order.”

  His lips twitched. “Does she always sleep this late?”

  “Only when she’s trying to avoid work. But don’t worry, she’ll be ready when you are.”

  He didn’t even try to hide his amusement. “Really, Cousin Kathleen, I can find the church on my own.”

  “Nonsense. That girl needs something to occupy her time and keep her from plotting against the unsuspecting male population. Thank goodness she’s safe with you.”

  As Kathleen swept up the staircase, Rylan wondered if he would be safe with Colleen.

  Half an hour later, after a fortifying breakfast, Rylan picked up one of the boxes of clothing Kathleen had left in the foyer and made his way outside to the waiting buggy. When he’d hefted the last box into the back and brushed the dust off his hands, he turned to find Kathleen marching across the lawn, her hand firmly around Colleen’s upper arm. “Oh good. You haven’t left. Here’s Colleen now.”

  The girl wrenched herself free and crossed her arms in front of her. Her vibrant red hair was pulled back with some type of ribbon that matched her dress. “I’m only staying long enough to give Reverend Filmore these boxes.” She shot Rylan a dark look. “You’ll have to find your own way home.” Chin raised, she flounced by him, ignoring his offer of assistance into the buggy.

  Kathleen stormed over, her face thunderous. “Colleen Elizabeth O’Leary, you will treat Cousin Rylan with the respect he deserves. I’ve not raised any child of mine to be rude. For penance, you can ride back out to pick Rylan up before dinner.”

  Mother and daughter glared at each other, but Kathleen’s withering stare won out. Colleen lowered her eyes. “Yes, Mama.”

  Rylan bit the inside of his cheek to keep from chuckling. He wanted to say he could walk home but didn’t dare interfere with the power play in progress. Instead, he bid his cousin good-bye, hopped up on the bench seat, and guided the horses down the road. He and Colleen rode in silence for some time, with Rylan asking directions only when necessary. Finally, conscious of the anger shimmering off Colleen in waves, he decided he’d best smooth things over if they were to live under the same roof in some semblance of peace.

  “I’m not sure what I’ve done to incur such loathing, but please let me offer my sincerest apologies for any offense I may have committed.” He slid a glance sideways to gauge her reaction.

  She stared straight ahead, her back as rigid as the plank seat beneath them.

  “What have I done that’s so unforgivable?” he asked in a soft voice.

  She lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. You just rub me the wrong way.”

  “I see.”

  She whirled to face him then, her expression murderous. “First, you drag me into the mud and ruin my dress. Then you make fun of me for it. And now I have to waste my day as your escort—to the church of all places.”

  Rylan made sure his lips didn’t curve even a little. He kept his eyes trained on the road ahead, letting her anger roll off him. “I’ve apologized at least three times for the mud. If you recall, I was only trying to be a gentleman and help get your carriage free.”

  Colleen shifted on the seat, paying a great deal of attention to the flow of her skirts around her knees. “Yes, well, you enjoyed the situation entirely too much.”

  His stomach shook with the laughter he could no longer contain. “I’m afraid I tend to see the humorous side of most things. It’s a character flaw that confounds my calling to be a priest, since for the most part, clergymen are pretty serious fellows.” He glanced over at her, still chuckling. “You have to admit, we must have looked rather silly, wallowing in the mud that way.”

  Her lips twitched before she pressed them into a firm line. “I suppose we did.”

  “As for your mother, I’ll speak with her tonight and let her know I can manage without you as my personal escort.”

  “That would be . . . appreciated. Thank you.”

  “So we can be friends?”

  She clutched the side of the buggy as they hit a bump. “I guess so.”

  A small concession at best, but he would take it. “Good. Now, maybe you can tell me more about your family. Exactly where does Gilbert Whelan fit in with the whole O’Leary clan?”

  Colleen took a moment to let her emotions settle, while she determined how she should act with Rylan. Somehow, she couldn’t stay mad at him, yet it seemed wise to keep an emotional distance. Something told her he would dig out all her secrets if he could. Talking about her family, however, seemed safe enough.

  “Gil’s widowed mother worked for us as a housekeeper. When she became ill, she asked Mama to take Gil in if she didn’t survive. They had no other family here, and she didn’t want him going back to Ireland on his own.”

  Rylan gave a low whistle as he guided the horses over a dip in the road. “An orphan, poor lad.”

  “Not really. We’re his family now.”

  One dark eyebrow rose. “So he’s like a brother to you, then?”

  She sent him a saucy smile, one that turned most men to putty. “Oh no, he’s far too handsome for that.”

  Rylan opened his mouth as though to challenge her, but stopped. A few seconds later, he asked, “And what does Adam do?”

  “He recently started a new job in the city.” A stiff breeze came up, and Colleen clutched her hat to keep it from blowing off.

  “So he doesn’t work for your father?”

  “No. He and Daddy don’t agree on most things.”

  “And Brianna? She seems the quiet type—more content to watch the goings-on around her.”

  Colleen raised one eyebrow. “You’re very observant.”

  He smiled. “It’s an advantage in my profession.” He slapped the reins to make the horses keep their pace. “I noticed there’s quite a gap between Brianna and your younger siblings.”

  Sorrow squeezed Colleen’s heart before she lifted her chin. “We had another brother, Danny, but he drowned several years ago.”

  “I’m ever so sorry. That must have been difficult for your family.”

  “It was, especially for Mama. She’s never been the same since.”

  “So Gil works for your father. And Brianna is almost finished with school. What will she do then?”

  Irritation prickled Colleen’s neck. “You ask a lot of questions.”

  “Best way to get answers.”

  “I think it’s my turn to ask the questions.”

  He grinned at her, a dimple appearing in his cheek. “Ask away. My life is an open book.”

  It took all her concentration to keep her expression unchanged, as if those dimples didn’t affect her at all. “Do you come from a big family?”

  “Big enough, though in Ireland we’re considered average. I’ve three brothers and a little sister. My father died in a mining accident years ago, so my brothers look out for my mother and Maggie.”

  “I’m sorry. It mu
st be difficult to lose a parent.”

  “Aye. My father was a hard man. But he loved my mother something fierce.”

  “Sounds like Daddy.” She glanced sideways at him, admiring his profile, his full lips and strong jaw. Despite every effort to remain aloof, Rylan aroused a strong measure of curiosity in her. Why would such a charming, handsome man throw away his life to hide in a church? “What made you want to become a priest?” she asked before she could check herself.

  His features softened. “My own dear mother. She’d always hoped one of her sons would enter the religious life. It happened to be me.”

  “But don’t you want to marry and have a family?”

  “That’s not what God has planned for me,” he answered quietly. His eyes held hers for several moments.

  She swallowed and tore her gaze away to focus on the road ahead.

  “The rest of your questions will have to wait. There’s the church up ahead.” A few seconds later, Rylan pulled the horses to a stop in front of the building and jumped lightly to the dirt path below.

  Before Colleen could move, he jogged around and reached up to help her. Strong hands gripped her waist as he swung her easily to the ground. When she looked up into his face, she forgot to breathe.

  “So tell me about Reverend Filmore. What’s he like?”

  She blinked to clear her thoughts. “He’s all right—for a priest.”

  He pinned her with a pensive stare. “Sounds like you don’t have much use for the clergy. Is that why you’ve taken a dislike to me?” Though his tone was glib, a glimpse of hurt crossed his features.

  “I haven’t taken a dislike to you.” She pushed by him. “But I don’t have much use for religion.”

  “And sorry I am to hear it, Miss O’Leary.” Reverend Filmore stepped out of the church.

  Colleen bit back an unladylike word and forced a smile. “Reverend Filmore, I’ve brought your new assistant, Rylan Montgomery. Rylan’s mother is a distant cousin of ours.”