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Cora smiled politely, and Liam felt an angry stab of jealousy. Finley Walsh was not old and decrepit like he’d imagined. On the contrary, the man who entered the room was tall, broad shouldered and lean. He looked to be in his early thirties, with not a gray hair in sight. On top of all that, he appeared rather fit in his tailored suit and shined shoes. No signs of gout at all, the bastard.
“We’ll take tea now, Mary,” Cora said to the maid, who was just leaving.
The maid closed the door behind her, leaving Cora in the room alone with Finn.
Liam gripped a fold of the velvet curtain with his fist. If the man tried to touch one hair on her head, he’d jump out and box his ears, hiding place be damned.
“Won’t you have a seat, Mr. Walsh?” Cora asked, sitting opposite a small tea table. It gave Liam a smug sense of satisfaction to hear her calling him by his formal name.
Finley arranged his coat and sat stiffly on the faded silk settee. He appeared nervous. “Thank you.”
An awkward silence befell them, and Liam lapped it up like a contented cat. Every time Finley tugged on the collar of his shirt, Liam’s smile grew wider. The man had no idea how to talk to her. “H-how have you been?”
Cora folded her hands primly in her lap. “Quite well, thank you. And you?”
“Good. Very well.” Another awkward silence. This was bloody marvelous.
The maid came into the drawing room with a tea tray. She set it down and left, leaving Cora to pour steaming tea into dainty china cups. “Would you like sugar, Mr. Walsh?”
He shook his head. “No, thank you.”
Liam grinned. Of course he didn’t want sugar. No amount of sweetener could fix his bland personality.
“I see you received the dress I sent,” Finley said, his gaze flickering over Cora’s blue gown.
“Oh, I hadn’t—” Cora stopped and blushed to the roots of her hair, smoothing the silk folds of her skirt. “I’m so sorry. It only came this morning, and I thought... I thought my father sent it.” She stared at her lap. “Thank you.” Her voice was so faint, Liam could barely hear the last part. She looked beyond uncomfortable at the idea she was wearing a gift from Finn. It made Liam want to beat his chest with satisfaction.
Finley searched the room frantically, as if trying to come up with a less uncomfortable topic. “Your father tells me you collect seashells.”
Cora looked up in surprise. “Yes. I dearly love them.”
Finley smiled. “Now that I know, I’ll bring you some when I next visit the coast.”
Liam scowled. He’d do no such thing.
Cora blushed again, only this time she seemed intrigued by Finn’s offer. Liam didn’t like it one bit. “I didn’t realize you traveled that far away.” Liam wanted to take the teapot and bash it over Finley Walsh’s perfectly combed head. The only thing stopping him was the knowledge that Finley could make whatever promises he wanted, but he’d never get the chance to follow through on them. Cora would be long gone by the time Finley came back with his blasted shells.
“I travel quite a bit, actually,” Finley said, sipping his tea with the precision of a man born into a genteel life. He had perfect manners. Yet another reason for Liam to dislike him. “I’m often to the coast and, on occasion, London.”
“Really?” Cora tilted her head in interest. “How lovely to travel and see the world. I’ve always wondered what that must be like.”
Finley seemed pleased with her reply. He cleared his throat. “You know, after we are married, I expect to travel often.”
Cora’s smile faltered. “Of course.” She lowered her head and took a sip of tea.
“Would you like that?” he asked nervously.
Cora raised a delicate brow. “I would like you to carry on with your business as always, Mr. Walsh. I can assure you that I’d never expect you to stay home on my account.”
Finley looked startled, then he rushed to say, “N-no. That’s not what I meant at all. I was hoping we could—”
“Ah, Mary,” Cora said, standing when the maid entered with a plate of spice cakes. “That looks lovely, but I fear I’ve a headache coming on. Mr. Walsh, would you please excuse me?”
Finley stood so fast, it was almost comical. “I’m sorry you’re unwell. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, no.” Cora waved a hand. “I must apologize. Perhaps we can take tea another time. Thank you for visiting.”
Finley bowed and wished her a good day. The maid had barely closed the door before Liam swept into the room from behind the curtain.
