1863 Saratoga Summer Read online

  Pegeen frowned. “Bowes, I don’t take kindly to that kind of teasing.”

  “Well, now. I don’t think I’m doing such a fierce thing.” His expression became serious. “I’ve been missing the warming nature of a woman.”

  He took her arm and walked slowly with her onto the porch. He situated her under one of the large lanterns hung for the festivities. “When me Annie died, I had me girls to take care of. I had me a livin’ to make. Having been in love with a warm-hearted woman in my youth, others didn’t appeal to me for the longest time.”

  Pegeen’s gaze shifted to the wooden slats of the flooring. “Ye don’t have to tell me these things, Bowes.”

  “Aye, I do. I’m not saying I didn’t have me a lass or two…”

  “Or more…” Pegeen smiled at the man she’d loved for a number of years. “Perhaps, I’d better be listening to yer story.”

  “Pegeen, I wish ta Hell I met ye years earlier.” He drew in a elongated breath. “Me Sinead was brought up with coldness by them nuns in the school I sent her to, and the cold streak followed her into her adulthood. ‘Tis making her life a misery and mine along with it.”

  Pegeen patted his arm. “Don’t be too worried. I think she’s found an extremely warm-hearted and lusty man. She already loves him.” Pegeen laughed. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

  “But she needs a woman’s guidance. Someone she can talk to with confidence.” Bowes pleaded. “Ye wouldn’t want her to be telling her troubles to the woman ye just met, now, would you?”

  “Bowes, I’ll do the best I can for the girl. I like her. I truly do. But I’ll not be having some man marry me for his child. I did it once and …Well, ye see how I ended up.”

  “Nae. ‘Tis not what I meant at all,” Bowes added quickly. “Don’t be misunderstanding me on purpose, Peg girl. I, too, want a warm-hearted and lusty person in my life. I merely meant… well, with the both of us as one, we’ll be able to cherish and guide those young ones.”

  “I don’t know…” Pegeen shook her head.

  Bowes swung Pegeen around and grasped her as close to him as he could. The kiss he placed on her mouth made her knees weaken with desire. She kissed him back with all the fire in her.

  Everyone on the porch began to clap their hands in glee over the wonderful spectacle they watched with growing interest.

  “Marry him,” shouted one woman.

  A man exclaimed, “Ah, just another show added to the Saratoga list of events. How absolutely fitting!”

  Shouts rang out from all ends of the huge porch. All were positive with excitement.

  Pegeen broke the kiss and flung her arms around Bowes’ neck. “Och, ye kissed me into it.”

  “Then ye’ll marry with me?” he asked, incredulous and thrilled.

  Everyone surrounding shouted in unison. “She will. She will.”

  Then realizing the fuss they’d created, Bowes and Pegeen scrambled down the porch steps and disappeared into the welcoming dusk of the lamp-lit street. The people on the porch screamed and hooted with laughter.

  One man cried out. “Let’s make this a tradition…” He got on one knee and proposed to the woman at his side.

  She, in turn, laughed louder than the other guests. She bent and kissed his mouth. “Fool, we’re already married…”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The huge grand dining room at Union Hall seated about a thousand. Tonight, due to the upcoming parade of horses, tables were packed into every corner of the room, leaving little room for maneuvering. Dazzled, both Sinead and Connor took a step back. The excitement emanating from the room was very different from their simple life on the farm.

  The décor was extraordinary. Hanging crystal-globed chandeliers lit the room with soft, sparkling perfection. The white tablecloths shone with snow-white purity. The colorful dresses worn by the ladies enhanced the room with bright, brilliant colors. Sinead wanted to point.

  Male waiters, holding trays of spicy, fragrant dishes high above their heads, rushed between and around the long tables. Everyone was served with fawning efficiency, great respect and a modicum of charm. Supreme gaiety filled the room. Sinead didn’t know where to look first. She stared at the trays the waiters carried and watched as they danced and bobbed, removing the silver holders from over the food-laden plates with a flourish.

  The Saturday evening’s fare was the kitchen’s crowning glory for the entire week. The meals themselves were sumptuous.

  “Look. The meals. They’re as fine as those meals served by finest restaurants of New York City. Or any large city throughout the world, I’m wagering,” Sinead whispered to Connor, holding her hand up to cover her mouth.

  “I can barely hear you, but I do know what you mean,” he added, giving her waist a tiny squeeze of agreement.

  Guests vocalized their content with the meal, giving forth loud sighs of delight and excessive patting of stomachs. Their murmurs changed to a buzz and got louder minute-by-minute.

  Seated at a table, which gave her a view of the porch, Sinead examined the people wandering about outside and in the dining room. The hotel was crammed with folks from all walks of life.

  She tried to start a conversation, so the meal would not be so solemn. “I assume many of the folks here arrived in Saratoga to watch the horses perform.”

  “Along with the rich,” Ludwig contributed with a smirking snort.

  “Some come praying to be noticed mingling with their betters,” Adelaide said, lifting her nose higher in the air. “Some of the young women you see, not unlike those from the boarding houses, appear on the scene with the hopes of attracting wealthy husbands or benefactors.”

  Ludwig added, “Some come for the social activities or what they can find in the way of goods to be bought, bartered or stolen.”

  Adelaide’s tinkling laugh rose high above the table. People, sitting at nearby tables, glanced over. Adelaide politely nodded to them. Connor stared for a moment then peered at Sinead and raised an eyebrow.

  Ludwig leaned over and said to Connor. “The racing card has brought totally different elements to the Springs this year. The turf crowd! They’ve come from sections of the North and the West, including a few from the South, despite the devastation wrought by the War.”

  Connor replied with a bit of rancor. “I imagine horsemen convened on the village in great mass. I’ve spoken to several from Canada who arrived to contend for the racing purses. I’m caring for some of their horses.”

  Ludwig’s eyes narrowed and he pointed to a group on the porch. “See those people.”

  Both Connor and Sinead looked out onto the huge veranda but saw nothing unusual.

  Ludwig tapped Connor’s arm and pointed again. “No, there. Those men in a huddle, fingering the racing card. Gamblers and bookies clustered together and placing their bets, I would wager.”

  “Aye. I believe you have the right slant on the matter. I’ve talked to many of them during the past week.” Connor sat up straight in his chair and looked at Ludwig from a great height.

  “Any good tips?” Ludwig asked. A crooked grin accompanied the strange light of eagerness in his eyes.

  Excitement prevailed at the tables around them, making it difficult for Connor to answer quietly, so he shook his head and said, “Nae. I do not.”

  Throughout the rest of their meal, the conversation at the Dewitt’s table was desultory at best. The older couple never mentioned their grandson’s name, not even to inquire about his health. Other than a decided lack of appetite, the biggest problem for Sinead was the noise. Hundreds of people, conversing in ardent tones one on top of another, made her ears ache and she longed for the solitude and peace of the farm.

  While waiting for dessert, Connor began the discussion to follow. “I’m wanting to thank you both for this kind invitation to dinner. The meal was delicious, but all through it I’ve been wondering about the purpose behind it. I presumed the dinner was for discussing something you felt was important.”

  Ludwig
laughed then smiled at his wife. “I told you, my dear, this young gentleman was bright.”

  “I take it your answer is in the affirmative?” Connor softly inquired.

  “Yes.” Ludwig pushed his chair away from the table a bit. In a clumsy movement, he placed an elbow on the table. Adelaide touched his arm. He withdrew the elbow and sat up straighter. “I did wish to speak with you both, regarding our grandson.”

  “He has a name. ‘Tis Robbie,” Connor mentioned.

  “Robert,” Adelaide snapped.

  Connor turned to her. His smile was cold. “As a matter of fact, he now prefers to be called Rob. He feels Robbie is too babyish, and we feel Robert too grown-up for a wee laddie.”

  Sinead lowered her eyes so she didn’t have to look at the Dewitts and mumbled, “Och, Connor. I don’t care what they call him. Let’s just discuss what we have to discuss and be done with it all.”

  In a fit of temper, Adelaide slapped her napkin down on the table. “Let’s go onto the porch. Ludwig wants to have a good vantage point when the horses are paraded in front of the Hall.” She turned to her husband, her face a mass of wrinkles. “I told you talking to them would do no good.”

  “Adelaide, calm yourself, my dear. Our talk is not finished, just delayed. Isn’t that right, Connor?” He turned to him to garner some manly support.

  “Aye,” Connor answered, “Besides, I’ll not be wanting to miss all the excitement either or to see the horses’ reactions to crowds.”

  “Whatever for?” Adelaide asked. She smiled at her husband but there was an edgy sound to her words. “My husband thinks by looking at the animals today, he’ll know how to choose them on race day, two days from now.” She shook her head, her mouth turned down in scorn.

  Sinead ignored the play between the Dewitts. She pinched Connor’s thigh. The rock-hard muscles jumped at her touch and his huge hand settled over hers.

  His face showed no expression whatsoever as he stood and helped her to stand. “One of the race horses boarded at the farm the past week. He was a bit spirited.”

  “Heaven knows how the beasts will act on the day of the races. Crowds will cover the race track…with shouts and constant movement. A distracting lot they’ll be, I’m sure,” Sinead mused, standing close to the husband, whose strong physique enveloped and protected. Connor glanced down at her.

  Her face grew warm, yet she shivered, flustered by the turbulent desire she saw flashing from his eyes. “I’ve heard such thoughts elsewhere.” She gave him an embarrassed but wan smile.

  Connor leaned in toward her. “But, so true…”

  Ludwig stood and patted his rounded paunch. “Come ladies. To the porch…” He helped Adelaide to rise and kissed her cheek. She moved in front of him and circled the entire dining room before going into the long central lobby and onto the porch.

  Connor and Sinead followed, slowly. Connor put his arm about her waist and drew her closer to him.

  “Connor, careful. What will folks think?”

  “They’ll realize this man cares for this woman. Cares a bit too much, perhaps.” Thoughts brought a red flush to his face and he laughed. “He’s letting his emotions run away with him, I’m fearing.”

  “Those very same emotions will slip away as soon as you’re back on board a ship to Ireland.”

  “I have no desire to argue with you tonight, lass. I’m wanting to hold you close to me. There’s no crime in that, now, is there?”

  Sinead sighed, stared up at him and let her eyes fill with the essence of him, his scent, his even disposition and his sturdiness. She found she trusted him, his judgment on all sorts of things. Nothing would stop him if he wanted to go so badly. What am I going to do? Letting Connor leave would not be an easy task, but she knew she could never leave Robbie.

  Outside, Sinead studied the main street in the village, Broadway. Flanked by the huge elms bearing lanterns of every description, it glowed and shimmered with life. The center of the roadway was clear of all carriages, which now lined both sides of the thoroughfare for as far as she could see.

  Sinead searched for their rig and, recognizing it, parked nearby, waved. Harry sat on the driver’s seat of the carriage, and vigorously waved back. Bowes and Pegeen sat in the ‘box’ like royalty. A farm hand stood at the horses’ heads, although Harry, his hands relaxed on the reins, easily controlled the grays. Just below the carriage, the farm’s wagon, containing many of the workers, snuggled against a particularly thick elm.

  Sinead started in their direction. With a squeeze and a nod, Connor drew her attention to the Dewitts, who had established themselves directly beneath a soft pink porch light. He guided her through the crowd, those eager to seek a good vantage point for the show to come.

  John Morrissey stood on the steps talking to several Kentuckians, including John Clay, son of the famous Henry Clay. He looked up just in time to see Sinead and Connor crossing the porch to join the Dewitts.

  He shouted up to them. “Connor, me lad, I just got word from some of me friends. You’ll be having a surprise and some good news tomorrow. One you’ll be enjoying to the fullest.”

  “That would be nice for a change,” Connor fired back. “Do you mind the telling me the importance of this great surprise?”

  Morrissey let loose a booming laugh, bent down and whispered something to John Clay. Lifting his head, he grinned and shouted to the porch again. “If I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise, now, would it, laddie?” With a chuckle and a wave, Morrissey moved off the porch and down toward the roadway.

  Connor shrugged and walked over to where the Dewitts had planted themselves. He placed himself directly behind Sinead and touched her elbow. She leaned against him, her soft bottom brushing his thigh. His arms went around her. With gentleness, he kissed the top of her head.

  Adelaide managed somehow to get a chair for herself. She quietly sat, fanning her herself with what looked like a newspaper. Her eyes seemed focused on the roadway.

  Ludwig stood by her side. “I don’t suppose there’s any reason for delaying our conversation. You two are fully aware of what needs discussion, so I’ll make this short. We want our grandson. He belongs with his blood family.”

  “How come you left him in the city, with only a young girl to care for him?” Connor countered. “You left him and the girl to fend for themselves during an uprising. What if we had not been able to reach them. They would have burned along with your home.”

  Ludwig’s face grew red with an angry reaction. “The boy refused to come with us. We chased him around the house for hours. He insisted on waiting for his Mama Jane.”

  “And you left him.” Connor refused to skirt the seriousness of the situation. His tone was terse. “He’s content where he is and he’ll be staying there.”

  Ludwig drew himself up with an arrogance born of privilege. “Well then, let me make this plain. Adelaide and I will take this to a higher authority. Right into a court in Albany.”

  Although slow to anger, because of his size and the possible damage he could do to those smaller, Connor grew irate. “You’ve intimidated my wife with those threats long enough. I’m thinking ‘tis time you blew the sleeping volcano to the winds.”

  “You’ll lose the boy then. He’s our blood, not yours.” Ludwig stamped across the porch.

  Sinead leaped to the attack. “Blood? You two left the child while the city erupted behind him. Gangs ran the streets, looting and burning everything around the poor wee tyke. How could you be so uncaring and callous?”

  “Hush, lass.” Connor pulled her closer, and she burrowed into his body, her face streaked with tears of outrage. With one arm around her, he faced the Dewitts. “Do your worst, old man. The lad and I developed feelings for each other in a very short time, a feeling stronger than the relationship you’ve been building with him over years.”

  “You know nothing about it. You’re just listening to the mad ravings of an unsatisfied woman.” Ludwig stood with his hands clenched on his hips, like an o
ld bawd and nodded at Sinead. “The boy belongs with his rightful family.”

  She spat, “You don’t want him. We do.”

  Connor continued, “I can only assume you have other reasons for keeping him in your custody.”

  The look passing between the Dewitts was all the confirmation Connor needed to be sure of his instincts. He hugged Sinead to him. “Come, lass. Let’s go down to the carriage to watch the parade of horses.”

  Sinead nodded. “Thank you, Connor.”

  He wiped the streaks of dampness from her face. “No thanks needed. I love the wee rascal.” Connor guided her to the step. He turned and shouted back to the Dewitts. “Any time you’d be thinking of visiting with the laddie, come out to the farm. You’ll be welcomed like visiting royalty.”

  ~*~

  Just as the horses came down Broadway from their starting point, Sinead and Connor settled into the carriage with Bowes and Pegeen. In order to see clearly every step of the horses’ progress over the roadway, the older couple climbed onto the rear seats, pushed their knees into the soft backing and hung on to the low railing at the end of the carriage. They laughed and hugged each other with excitement.

  Connor stood in the middle section and helped Sinead struggle onto the cushioned seat in back of him. Trying not to slip off, she leaned against him. Her arms wound loosely around his neck, his shoulders holding her steady. His head nestled between her breasts and every movement he made, in any direction, created a vibration in her belly, one she hoped he wouldn’t notice.

  She drew in a deep breath. The masculine scent of him, the residue of leather, of the outdoors and the spicy smell of the cream he had put in his hair to control its habit of spilling onto his face, conspired to heat her blood. Something within her sprung to life. Without thinking, she placed her lips on his hair for the briefest of moments.

  He turned, an innocent grin of pleasure crossing his face. Sinead flushed and felt heat travel through her entire frame to the very tips of her fingers, which tingled. The feel of his sturdy back against her body made her want more from him, a closer connection. Knowing she contained little knowledge of lust, she used a great deal of imagination and felt exceedingly warm.