Hannah Howell (5 page)

“Ye can open your eyes now, lassie,” he said and caught his breath when she did, for the rich blue was smoky with a lingering passion. He swiftly released her before he answered the invitation he read there. “Weel? What did ye think of your first kiss, wee Clover?”

Clover decided that the man looked far too cocky and she struggled to appear stern and haughty. “My first kiss? Perhaps, Mr. MacGregor, ‘tis not my first, but one of hundreds.”

“Then ye have some powerful poor kissers in Pennsylvania, lass.” He shrugged. “I was just curious.”

“Oh, all right then. It was—well—all right.”

“Only all right, hmmm? Tsk. That could prove to be a problem, kissing and all being such a big part of being married.”

“Is it?”

“Oh, aye, a verra big part.” He struggled to keep his amusement well-hidden.

She grimaced and forced herself to be completely honest, for she knew she could not afford to lose the chance to solve so many of her problems. “Well then, it was pleasant.”

“Only pleasant?”

“I am developing a strong urge to box your ears, Mr. MacGregor.”

He laughed, but his good humor swiftly fled when
he saw his brother and cousin striding toward them. “What are ye doing back here so soon?” he demanded of them.

Shelton ran his hand through his thick black hair and eyed Ballard warily. “We saw Sarah Marsten walking about with some fancy mon and got to puzzling over what had happened to ye.”

When Clover saw Ballard glance down the road, then stare intently at his nails, clearly hesitant to reply to his brother’s question, she blurted out, “‘Tis all my fault. I wished to speak to your brother and delayed him so long that Miss Marsten decided to turn her attentions elsewhere.”

“Why should she get herself in a tiff just because Ballard was talking to a little girl?” Shelton’s last two words ended in a squeak as he looked Clover over more carefully.

The way Shelton’s blue-green gaze was fixed upon her breasts, his eyes wide with shock, made Clover feel uncomfortable. The heat of a blush stung her cheeks, and it increased when Lambert aped Shelton’s stare. Clover had the sudden sensation that she was completely exposed to their view, though she successfully quelled the urge to cover herself.

Abruptly noticing what his brother and cousin were doing, Ballard growled, “Do ye two fools want to stop ogling my fiancée?”

Shelton and Lambert both jumped in surprise, then blushed, only to gape suddenly at Ballard. “Your
what?
” they yelped in unison.

Ballard draped his arm around Clover’s slim shoulders and said, “My bride.”

“What is going on here, Ballard?” demanded Lambert. “You did not even know this girl an hour ago.
Hellfire, cousin, when we left you, you were talking about marrying Sarah Marsten.”

“A mon has a perfect right to change his mind.”

“Are you sure about this?” Clover whispered to Ballard. “You
do
fully understand all the things I explained to you?”

“Aye, lass,” he replied in an equally soft voice, giving his relatives a look that stopped them from edging closer and listening. “Ye have no dowry, no money at all, and ye have two brothers and a mother to care for. Even as ye were telling me all about it, I was pondering your proposal. Now, I got to thinking that ye so badly needing a husband could be a good thing for me. It means ye really want to get hitched and, even though I was willing to spend some time courting me a wife, I wouldnae mind getting right back to Kentucky either. There is also the fact that ye are nae in a position to be particular about where ye must go or what will be there.”

“That is quite true, Mr. MacGregor,” she admitted, somewhat reluctantly, for she regretted that circumstances had stolen all the romance from her life. “Are you able to take in all four of us?”

“Aye. I have a sizable house, although it isnae quite as grand as this one. When I built it I figured I might as weel build it big. I made the shell and we have been finishing it off slowly. It still needs some work. We can put your brothers in a room together and your ma can have a room to herself. Mind ye, Lambert and Shelton abide there with me.”

“If you are willing to accept my three dependents, then I can certainly accept the added work your brother and cousin may cause me. I must be honest, however, Mr. MacGregor. Although I am very good at
sewing, needlepoint, and the like, my cooking skills are but newly learned and leave much to be desired.”

“If ye learned some cooking, then ye will be able to learn even more. I have been doing the cooking for the three of us for nearly a dozen years. Reckon even I can lend ye a hand until ye can manage on your own.”

Even though it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, Clover knew that Ballard was being generous. Her problems were now solved. She had found a home and a provider for her family. She should be happy, and she was in a small way, but she also felt a sharp pang of sadness over all she was missing because of the need to arrange her future in such a practical way.

Ballard frowned when he saw a hint of sadness cloud her expression, despite her lingering smile. In a quiet, solemn voice, he said, “Now, lassie, just because we are doing this in a commonsense way and getting married quick doesnae mean I cannae practice a wee bit of courting with ye. We will still be needing to learn about each other.”

“Oh, that is so very nice of you,” she whispered, her voice thin as she fought a sudden urge to cry.

“Here now.” He frowned even more at the telltale glitter of tears in her eyes. “Are ye sure about this plan?”

“Yes, Mr. MacGregor, I am very sure.”

“Weel, there may be other ways to see to the care of your family.” Ballard was surprised to find himself fervently hoping that Clover did not know of any other ways.

She shook her head. “I have spent two long weeks considering all those other ways, even though I
thought Thomas was still the answer to my difficulties. There is very little work to be had, and what there is would never pay enough to keep a roof over our heads. Of course, the barkeep at the Sly Dog Tavern indicated that there were ways for a woman to enhance the meager pay he offered, but I decided against that.” She grimaced at the note of bitterness in her voice.

“Of course ye did.” Ballard wondered if he had time to go to the Sly Dog Tavern and instruct the proprietor in some good manners.

“Mr. MacGregor, I left that tavern declaring righteously that I would rather die a thousand deaths than sink to such a depth. I was only a few yards from the door, however, when I realized that ‘twas not only my life at stake. I began to think about how I would feel if I saw the pinch of hunger in my family’s faces. Suddenly I was no longer filled with outrage and no longer so sure that I would never debase myself so. That is the fear that prompts me to approach you so boldly now.”

Ballard thought of his past, of the days when he was a callow youth of seventeen who had been left with the care of Shelton and Lambert, boys of only eight and ten. He tightened his arm around Clover’s shoulders in sympathetic understanding. “Aye, I understand. When I was little more than a beardless lad myself, I was left with the care of those two.” He nodded toward his companions standing a few feet away. “There are a few things I did to keep them fed that I dinnae feel too proud of.”

“Are ye going to tell us what is going on here?” Shelton called.

“I am going to marry Miss Clover Sherwood,” Ballard replied.

“I see. Now, I dinnae mean any offense to ye, lass, but, hellfire, Ballard, ye didnae even ken the girl until an hour ago. And
then
ye were talking on marrying Sarah Marsten, just like Lambert said.”

“I came to this town to get wed. It seems Miss Marsten wasnae as interested as she allowed me to think she was, while Miss Sherwood is verra interested. There willnae be any time wasted either. Miss Sherwood’s of a mind to set to it, and so am I. That means we can head back to Kentucky real soon.”

Shelton grabbed his brother by the arm and paused to smile apologetically at Clover. “Miss, I am of a strong mind to have me a wee talk with my brother in private. It isnae because of ye personally, truly, but I—”

“That is quite all right,” Clover said even as Ballard was tugged away from her side. “I do understand.”

“Ye are going to make her feel real insulted,” Ballard reprimanded when the three men stopped far enough away from Clover so that they could talk quietly without being overheard.

“I dinnae mean to do that and weel ye ken it,” Shelton muttered, then snapped, “Hellfire and damnation, Ballard! Ye cannae expect us
not
to wonder what the devil is going on.”

“Fair enough. What is going on is that I have found me a wife, just like I said I would.”

“But you do not even know this girl,” Lambert protested.

“I ken enough,” answered Ballard. “I will have plenty of time to learn the rest later.”

“And just how much can you possibly learn after only an hour?”

“Enough, I told ye. She is a lady, just like Sarah is. Clover has all the same learning and polish.”

“I dinnae ken what ye want that for,” grumbled Shelton.

“Then ye have nae been listening close, brother. We are nae going to be set firm where we are now for the rest of our lives. We are doing fine and we are going to do even better. Aye, until we are equal to the folks who buy our goods. I am
not
talking about turning our backs on where we sprung from, but of learning how to be a part of both worlds. I want us to be able to go to a barn dance with the Mahoneys one day and then to tea with Mr. Potsdam the next and to feel at ease in both places.

“Now, tell the truth, lads, didnae ye feel a might awkward when Mr. Potsdam had us in his fine rich house for a wee drink after we sold him those horses last month?” He smiled when they reluctantly nodded. “Aye, so did I. That was when I got to thinking that having a highborn, refined lady for a wife could help us. She can teach us some of them pretty manners.”

“Weel, I reckon I can see the sense of that right enough, but it still isnae a good reason to marry the lass.”

“It isnae the only reason, Shelton. Ye have to admit she is a bonnie wee lass. She also has a powerful need of a husband. It seems her pa made some bad investments, lost all their money, and shot himself a fortnight ago.” Ballard nodded when Lambert’s and Shelton’s faces were briefly transformed by shock. “Then her beau up and jilted her because she has no more money. She is also responsible for her two
wee brothers and her mother. The only kin she has willnae help and they all have to be out of this house in about two weeks. Aye, that wee lass is in sore need of help.”

“I feel powerful sorry for her, Ballard, but are ye sure ye can take on the care of four more folk?”

“I am sure. Aye, it could mean that our progress slows a wee bit, but I will have me a wife and one who chose to wed me, who picked me out because she is in real need. That can only be a good thing.”

“I reckon. Weel, she seems a nice enough lass and if ye are
verra
certain—”

“Verra certain, Shelton. I have a real need for a wife.” He winked and the two youths laughed. “I also have a real hankering to start my family. Hellfire, most men my age have a bairn or two made already. Aye, the more I think on this, the better I like it.”

“Weel, if ye are that sure, I reckon ‘tis fine with me,” Shelton said, and Lambert nodded.

Clover tensed slightly as the three men moved back toward her. The whole situation was a little mad and it would not surprise her at all if Ballard’s kinsmen had been diligently talking him out of it. If they had been, she fervently prayed they had failed.

Ballard stopped in front of her, saw the hint of fear in her eyes, and smiled. “Do ye think I ought to meet your kinfolk before I go and speak to the preacher?”

“Are we still to be married then?” she asked, unable to conceal her relief.

“Aye, lass. Do ye have any objections to it being done quickly?”

“No, none at all. If that is what you wish, then it is all right with me.”

“Weel then, do we meet with your kin now or later?”

“Now, I suppose,” Clover murmured as she wondered how she was going to break the news to her mother. “Do you need any furniture, Mr. MacGregor?” she asked as she stood and picked up her cloak.

“We dinnae have verra much and that is a fact.” He collected their glasses. “We have to be careful what we try to take with us though. It will have to be toted a fair long way, downriver and over some verra poor roads.”

“Ah, of course. I had not given that any thought. Will I have time to sell off the pieces you do not want?”

“Ye willnae be giving them to your sister, eh?” He grinned in response to her look of mild disgust.

“I think not.” Clover opened the door, silently giving thanks that someone had remembered to unbolt it after Alice had stomped off. “I suppose I will inform dear Alice that the furniture is up for sale if she feels inclined to buy some.”

Ballard looked around as Clover led him into the front hall, then signaled that he and the others should follow her. The signs of past wealth were clear to see in the rich warm woods, the remaining pieces of elegant furniture, and even the heavy wallpaper. When the Sherwoods had fallen, they had fallen far. Ballard could not help but wonder how the family would adapt to the life he offered them in Kentucky.

Then he inwardly shrugged. The Sherwoods may have possessed a great deal, but now they had nothing, and he was sure Clover had fully accepted her fate. He was certain she was of a mind to be glad of what he could offer. What he could not even begin
to guess, however, was how her mother and little brothers were going to react.

They had all stepped into the front parlor. Ballard studied Clover’s family as she introduced everybody. Agnes Sherwood was still very attractive, although plumper than he liked, and her blond hair and smooth complexion showed few signs of age. The twins appeared to be a lively, bright pair of lads, and Ballard felt his qualms about them ease. Copperhaired and blue-eyed, the boys showed a hint of deviltry, but Ballard sensed that they were essentially good boys.