Free Her Irish Surrender by Kit Morgan Page B

Lorcan. One hand balled into a fist, and she raised it, as if not sure of what to do, then bent to the still form on the cot. “Is he badly injured?” she asked Doc Henderson. She had an odd accent, and Finn wondered where she was from.
    “He’ll live, but his fighting days are over. At least they should be,” the doctor remarked. He looked to the others. “I told him to stop, that he couldn’t keep doing this.”
    “Seems tonight he … wasn’t given the choice,” McPhee said, and glared at the Englishman.
    “He’ll be fine, I’m sure,” the Englishman stated as the woman reached out and touched Lorcan’s hand. “I’d like to see him fight again.”
    Finn’s hackles went up, and he stiffened. “Ye heard the doctor, he’ll not be fighting any more.”
    The Englishman chuckled. “I know fighters, boy. And this is a real fighter, a good one too. He’ll fight again if I want him to.”
    Finn brought himself to within inches of the man. “No, no it’s my fault he’s here, and I … I was wrong to bring him.  He’ll never fight again. Not unless he really wants to, and even then, I won’t let him.”
    The Englishman looked F inn up and down. “Commendable, but stupid. He’ll fight.” He then took the woman by the arm, and pulled her to her feet. “Until next time, gentlemen.” He turned on his heel, and with the woman in tow, sauntered away.
    “No , he won’t!” Finn called after him.
    Doc Henderson touched Finn on the shoulder. “Don’t aggravate the man, he’s … he’s not one to be trifled with, son.”
    Finn looked at him, then at Lorcan as he started to moan. “I’ll make sure he never fights again, I swear.” When he looked at the doctor again he had tears in his eyes. “I almost got my best friend killed tonight.”
    Doc Henderson continued to clean Lorcan up. “Lucky for you, he’s still quite alive. Though you might not be after he’s done with you.”
    Finn swallowed hard. “Aye, but at least I’ll know I deserved it after what I did to him. Lorcan, he didn’t deserve any of this.”
    “Then I suggest you see him married and settled down, before it’s too late,” the doctor suggested.
    Finn wiped away a tear. “Aye, it’s the least I can do.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Six
     
    Adaline came to work the next day, her heart heavy. Mr. Walker had talked and talked at dinner last night, and though he was entertaining and witty, he didn’t put the same skip in her step as Lorcan had the day before.  It was obvious Mr. Walker was trying to impress her, and would ask her if they could court.  But what should she tell him?  Eventually she’d have to find a husband. It wasn’t that she didn’t like how things were going, she could continue to live at the boarding house and work for Mrs. Brody, but for how long?  Even if she knew her job with the Brodys’ was secure, how long before she got lonely, and wanted to marry and start a family?  She didn’t want to be by herself forever. She sighed with the thought and entered the bookshop.
    “You’re not welcome here again, Finn Mullany!” Mrs. Brody screeched as Adaline stepped through the door.  A book, followed by another, and another, flew through the air straight for Finn’s head.
    He ducked in time to avoid the first and second, but not the third. “OW!”
    Mrs. Brody charged across the store, a measuring stick in her hand, where it had come from Adaline didn’t know. All she could do was stare dumbfounded at the scene. “And another thing!” Mrs. Brody scolded, her brogue thicker than ever. “I’ll … I’ll …” she dropped the measuring stick, threw her face into her hands and wept.
    Adaline looked at Finn, who stood biting his lower lip, his eyes closed. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered as he patted Mrs. Brody on the back. “So sorry …”
    She brought her face out of her hands. “You ought to be! Now get out of here!”
      “Yes, ma’am,” he said, his head low,