Bygone Christmas Brides by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-68322-291-0
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 2

Holding her shopping basket, with her free hand, Colleen pulled her redingote trimmed in ermine more closely to herself to ward off the cold. She rushed to her awaiting carriage at the side of the store. She couldn’t get out of Finn Donohue’s sight soon enough. The man exasperated her. All she had wanted was to go into his store and procure a few goods to last her through the week and perhaps engage in pleasantries with the proprietor. Why did he insist on upsetting her with his meddling? She wondered if she deserved to be vexed for not allowing her driver to accompany her on her errand, wanting to see Finn without being under her driver’s watchful eye.

Yet gladness joined vexation. She thought back to how her steps felt lighter, her heart merrier, in Finn’s presence. How handsome he was! As if it weren’t enough that he possessed a fine abundance of wavy black hair, a pleasing complexion, and eyes as blue as the sea—no, that wasn’t all. He had told her she inspired him! She sighed. He had kissed the Blarney stone, that one had.

Then she recalled how he had criticized her compassion, calling her gullible. Gullible!

Too exasperated by the remembrance to be gracious, she ignored the driver’s offer to assist her in boarding the carriage. Stomping up the step, she let out a sigh and thrust her goods toward the side of the carriage, not caring in what position her reed basket landed on the black leather seat.

Colleen plopped down with more force than needed, sending her garments flying. The driver gave her a curious look and opened his mouth slightly as though he planned to ask what had put her in such a mood. She shot him a glance dark enough to discourage questions, before he shrugged and shut the door.

As she smoothed her skirt with gloved hands, she thought about Mr. Donohue. Everyone, including her máthair, thought Colleen to be the perfect match for the merchant. The cherished daughter of a deceased gentleman farmer and his wife, Colleen was denied nothing by her doting máthair.

That fact evidenced itself in her style of dress, sewn according to the latest pattern from Paris. Her decorative bonnet was fresh and elegant, and her redingote reflected a military style beloved by the French at the time. The garment boasted many buttons and cords and, in Colleen’s case, ermine trim at the hem, collar, and cuffs. Underneath such a fine coat, her pelisse was equally fashionable, sewn of richly dyed cotton and featuring a high waist.

Mrs. Sullivan had suggested more than once that a merchant would appreciate—yea, even benefit from—such a fashionable wife. Known to be a fine dresser, Colleen possessed the attire and superb confidence to wear clothing well. Such a reputation would attract more business for Finn should they wed. Surely, Mrs. Sullivan suggested, the ladies in town wanted to look as elegant as Colleen, and they would be certain to buy expensive cloth and fine lace from the store in an effort to emulate her mode of dress.

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