Free In Name Only by Ellen Gable Page B

moments; it would be impossible to choose only one.  He enjoyed
their conversations and learned much about her.  He held back a smile when he
recalled her reaction to the corset display. Her embarrassment at the nude sculpture
was also endearing.  Despite her age and maturity, Caroline O’Donovan was very
much an innocent. No, Liam told himself, a young lady could not get any more gently
born and bred than that.
    He needed to
control his desire to see her every waking moment.  Last night, he could not
drop off to sleep anticipating the day ahead.  Now that it was over, he longed
for more time with her.  On his way home from the Martin household, he decided
that the O’Donovan House would host a cook out and invite the Martins, and all
the surrounding neighbors.  It would be the ideal way to spend another day with
the girl he hoped that he would marry.
    There was a quick
knock at his door then it swung open. David strolled into the room.  “How was
your day at Fairmount Park?”
    “Very well.”
    “That’s good,
Lee.”
    “I think she
likes me.”
    “What girl
wouldn’t be enamored with your charm?”
    “I hope so.  I
enjoy being with her.  I want her to like me.”
    “At least she
doesn’t cringe every time you walk into a room.”
    Liam laughed.  “That’s
your own doing.”
    David shrugged. 
“Care to join me in a game of chess?”
    “I don’t think
so.  You always win.”
    “Besides, we
never finished our last game.  The pieces are in the same position as when we
last played.”
    “That’s because I
was about to lose, David.”
    “Indeed.”
    “Well, good
night.”
    “Night, Lee.”
     
     
     
    Chapter 7

    In the parlor,
Caroline sat in the reading chair beside the hearth; her book lay open on her
lap.  She could not seem to concentrate on the words this morning. Liam
O’Donovan was kind and good-hearted, of that she was certain.  She found
herself thinking about him constantly and wishing that he would have some
reason to call on her today.
    “There you are,” Elizabeth called from across the room.
    Her cousin sat in
the nearest chair.  “I wanted to speak with you privately.  May we have a
sisterly chat?”
    Caroline closed
the book and set it on the table beside the chair. “Of course.”
    “Well?” 
    “Well what?”
    “I simply must
know the details of your conversations with Liam. I couldn’t inquire of you
last night with Father sitting across from us.”
    “There’s not much
to tell.”
    “What sort of
conversationalist is he, Carrie?  I would venture to guess that he is
intelligent.”
    “He most
certainly is.”
    “Do tell. What
did you and he discuss?”
    “Just the normal
polite conversation.”
    “Well, I must
say, you looked enamored with him and he seems to be quite taken with you.”
    “I hope so.”
    “So you have
feelings for him, already, dear Sister?”
    Caroline felt
heat rise to her cheeks.  “I know this is early, but yes, I do.”
    “That is the most
wonderful news.  I do hope we shall have a wedding this year!”  she exclaimed.
    “I suppose we
ought not to be planning any nuptials yet.”
    “Miss Caroline,
Miss, ‘Lizabeth, sure an’ there be an invite which has come fer ye,” Patsie
said excitedly.
    “An invite?”
Caroline asked, as she and Elizabeth joined Patsie outside on the veranda of
the Martin house.
    Elizabeth leaned
close to her cousin’s ear.  “An invitation.”
    “Sure, ‘tis to
the O’Donovan House.  Himself just told me to give this to ye, Miss Elizabeth. 
Himself said Mr. Liam and Mr. David be after havin’ a cookout this Saturday in
t’aft’noon, and Himself is gettin’ an invite fer all o’ye.”
    At the mention of
Liam’s name, Caroline’s heart fluttered. “Carrie, we’re going to the O’Donovan
house for a cook out!”
    “Yes, that is
indeed wonderful news.”  Excitement welled up in her at the notion of seeing
Liam again.  Liam had been her last thought before falling asleep and her