Chapters (73)
- Cover
- 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
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Keep Reading …
- About the Author
- Also by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Publisher
‘No, I didn’t. I lived with … a woman who was kind and compassionate. I was a lady’s maid.’
‘Oh, that will be useful information for Mrs Wilson, I believe. What do—’
Moira cut him off sharply, ‘No more questions, Blackie. I feel as if this is a version of the Spanish Inquisition. I don’t understand you, asking so much about my past.’
Finn exclaimed in a loud voice, ‘I agree with Moira. Stop it!’ Looking at her, he said in a quieter tone, ‘He’s a nosy parker, that’s what he is. Shame on ye, Blackie!’
A flush rose from Blackie’s neck to his face, and he said swiftly, ‘I’m very sorry, Moira. I didn’t mean to upset ye. I’m just interested in your life in Ireland, sure and that’s all it is.’
‘Why?’ she asked, still staring at him. ‘Why is my upbringing so important to you?’ Her voice had risen.
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, he said slowly, ‘Because ye are different to anyone I’ve ever met from round our way – back home in Kerry, I mean. Your way of speaking, and your lovely looks, and I feel ye are 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, 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 to 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.