Chapters (71)
- Copyright Notice
- Dedication
- Part One
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Part Two
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Part Three
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Part Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Part Five
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Books by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Author
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He half shrugged, suddenly embarrassed and feeling foolish, fully aware that his uncle was puzzled, even annoyed with him. And Jack had a disapproving glint in his eyes. Clearing his throat, adopting a conciliatory tone, Blackie said slowly, “Because yer different ter anyone I’ve ever met from round our way, back home in Kerry I mean. Yer way of speaking, and yer lovely looks, and I feel yer extremely well educated—” He broke off. “I didn’t mean any harm; ye must understand that. Please accept my apologies.”
Moira nodded. “I do, Blackie. Let us forget about this.”
Jack said, “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in the last twenty minutes. And we’d better get going.”
“I agree,” Patrick said. “Let’s pay the bill, Jack; we’d better make haste to City Square to catch the tram to Upper Armley. Mrs. Wilson’s expecting us at four o’clock.”
Once they were outside, Patrick took hold of Blackie’s arm and, stepping out swiftly, he hurried his nephew forward.
When they were a little ahead of the others, Patrick asked in a low but stern voice, “What on earth got into you, lad? Probing Moira the way you were. It was like pinning a butterfly to the wall. Poor girl, she was getting upset.”
“I didn’t mean any harm,” Blackie protested, knowing full well he had been really stupid. “She intrigues me, that’s all.”
“Are you after her? Do you want to take her out? Start courting?” Patrick glanced at his nephew. “She’s a beautiful lass, no two ways about that. Any man would fancy her.”
“No, no, I’m not wanting ter hook up with her, Uncle Pat! Honestly, I’m not. It’s just that she’s different from us—”
“In what way?” Patrick cut in.
“Her way of speaking. She doesn’t really have an Irish accent. She sounds more English. And her clothes are of good quality.” He shrugged and let out a sigh. “I expect I did go too far, but I couldn’t stop myself, I swear.”
Patrick said, “She is well-spoken, you’re correct there, but I caught an Irish lilt in her voice and, to be honest, I thought her dress was rather plain, nothing so special. But she is a little different; I’ll grant you that, lad. But please, don’t question anyone like that, not ever again. It’s rude.”
“I won’t, Uncle Pat, I promise, and I’m sorry I’ve upset ye. Shall I apologize again to Moira?”
“God, no! Leave it alone. Leave her alone.”
“Shall I come with ye to Mrs. Wilson’s?”
“Absolutely not. I am going alone with Moira. That is the proper thing to do. I got Moira the job, and we don’t need a gang of men to accompany us.”