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The double doors swung open.
The crowd went berserk.
Cora took one look at The Jackrabbit, and her mind went blank.
15
Kinsley, Ireland
1844
This was madness. Liam crouched behind the rosebushes outside Squire McLeod’s house. It was broad daylight, and he knew he shouldn’t be risking his neck like this, but he had to see Cora. He missed her dreadfully. It had been over a week since they’d last met, and he needed to hold her in his arms and reassure himself that all was well.
For the past several days Liam had been working tirelessly to prepare for their plan to run away together. He’d gone to the next town over to arrange for passage to the coastal town of Cork. He’d slowly gathered supplies they’d need between here and there, squirreling everything away in random hiding spots. Cora had assured him she’d have the two horses in her father’s stable ready to go. In three more days they’d be leaving Kinsley, Ireland, for good, traveling to the coast. There, he’d pay the clergyman the steep price to perform a last-minute marriage ceremony, and then he and Cora would be off to America. Just the thought of it sent a thrill of excitement through him because Cora would finally be his, and he’d be a new man heading to a better life.
Part of him felt guilty for what he planned, knowing that he was never going to see his brother again. His brother’s wife and kids had grown to rely on him, as well, but if Liam didn’t take this chance, he knew he’d never get another. He only wished they could come with him. Last week over a supper of cold porridge, Liam had asked his brother if he’d ever consider taking his family to America. His brother had just laughed and called him gone in the head. He’d said Ireland was in his blood, and he’d be dead in the ground before he ever left.
Now, as Liam ducked under Cora’s drawing room window, he thought perhaps hewasgone in the head. No man in his right mind would risk lurking about Squire McLeod’s house like this in the middle of the day, but he couldn’t go another moment without seeing her.
Crouching under the window ledge, he lifted his head to peer into the room where soft piano music played. The walls were painted bird’s-egg blue, with delicate floral patterns in muted greens. A silk-covered settee and dainty chairs were gathered in front of a massive marble fireplace, and in the center of the seating arrangement was an intricately carved low table. Though the carpet was faded, and the furniture worn, the overall impression was still beautiful, in the way of a watercolor painting that had begun to fade with age.
The sight of Cora sitting at the piano made his heart soar. Today she wore a rather pretty dress of pale blue silk. It appeared to be new, and it accentuated her figure quite nicely, unlike the dull gray and brown dresses her nanny usually made her wear. Her blond hair was swept into curls on the crown of her head, with a blue silk ribbon woven through the coils. Liam was struck by how beautiful she looked and, once again, overcome with awe that she’d chosen him. Someone up in heaven must’ve been distracted the day he’d stumbled into her life, but he wasn’t going to wait around for them to realize their mistake. No, he was going to hold on tight to Cora and run as far and as fast as he could. A thief knew a true gem when he came across one, and she was a treasure more precious than anything he’d ever encountered.
He tapped lightly on the window.
Cora looked up from the piano, her big blue eyes flying open in surprise. Her smile was bright as the sun as she ran to the window and threw it open. “Liam, what are you doing here?” she asked in a voice tinged with laughter. She glanced behind her at the closed drawing room door. “Someone will see you.”
Liam hooked a leg over the edge of the sill and climbed into the room. “Let’s make it worth it, then.” He swept her into a hug and kissed her soundly.
“I missed you,” Cora said breathlessly. “Did you get everything we need?”
He nodded, sliding his fingers through the hair at the nape of her neck. “We’re all set, love. I just couldn’t wait to see you again, and I wanted to make sure you hadn’t changed your mind about me.”
Her eyes grew glossy and soft. “Never, thief. I want to be with you forever.”
Liam drew her closer and nudged her nose with his. “Three more days, and the adventure begins.” He was just lowering his head to kiss her again when a loud knock came at the door.
“Miss?” one of the maids called.
Cora’s eyes flew wide. “Hide!” She pushed him behind the heavy velvet curtains.
She spun around and adjusted her hair. Liam reached out to tickle her, and she batted his arm away. “Come in.”
Through an opening in the dark drapery, Liam saw a maid enter the room. She wore a white cap and apron, and she appeared flustered. “Your betrothed is here to take tea with you, miss.”
Cora’s spine went rigid. “Right now?”
“Yes, miss. He’s only just arrived to town.”
“Well...” Cora looked around the room helplessly, as if the faded furnishings and dainty floral arrangements could provide her an escape. “Did you tell him my father isn’t home, at present?”
“He knows, miss. It was your father’s invitation that brought him to see you.”
“I hope you don’t mind.” A man’s voice came from the hall behind the maid.
Cora lifted her chin and nervously patted her hair, then walked away from Liam’s hiding place behind the curtain. “Of course not. Do come in, Mr. Walsh.”
“Finn,” he said, entering the room behind the maid. “Please call me Finn.”
