In Like Flynn (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #4)

Daniel grinned, that wicked, attractive grin. Thefirstglass of champagne was going to my head. Champagne was still such a novelty to me that it had a strange and overpowering effect.

“Of course,” Daniel said. “Strictly business.”

I concentrated on attacking my chicken.

“This meal will seem like a light snack when you dine at the Flynns',” Daniel said, eyeing me with amusement. They like to eat well, I seem to remember.”

“Am I supposed to be used to such meals or am I a poor relation?”

“The relatives who stayed behind in Ireland are humble folk. But you shouldn't appear too much of a peasant, or Theresa Flynn won't take to you. It’s important that you get along well with her, or she won't ask you to be present at her séances.”

“Theresa—that’s Barney Flynn’s wife? Is she Irish also?”

“Yes, but her family came over to America before the Revolution. They own plantations in Virginia, so she was brought up as a spoiled Southern miss. One gathers that they weren't too thrilled about her marrying a peasant like Barney.”

“So I have to become the bosom pal of Theresa. When is all this to start?”

“The Sorensen Sisters are invited to the mansion the second week of June, after Barney comes home from Washington for the summer recess. If you arrive around the same date, that will give us sufficient time to collect all the information we need from Ireland, and write the necessary letters to secure you an invitation. I'm thinking also that the excitement of having the Sorensen Sisters in the house will subject you to less scrutiny.”

“Very good,” I said. The way I was feeling at this moment, bubbling with my third glass of champagne, I was ready to tackle anything. “And what should I do if I spot the sisters cheating?”

“Ill give you a telephone number where you can leave a mes-sage for me at all times. Call me right away. I'll come to the house myself.”

That statement should not have made me absurdly glad, but it did.

“Would you believe it?” Daniel said. “We have got through a whole bottle of champagne. You're turning into quite a drinker, Molly Murphy.”

“It was you who kept filling my glass,” I said. “And you should know that it’s having no effect on me whatsoever.”

Daniel smiled. “I think maybe a little ice cream and a coffee will restore both of us to sobriety.”

“I've never been known to turn down ice cream,” I said.

The ice cream was delicious but it didn't do much to counteract the champagne. I still felt only vaguely tethered to earth as I floated out on Daniel’s arm. I spied the flower girl, standing in the shadows beside the potted palm as Daniel hailed a cab. She was still staring at us and I wondered if she was recalling better times in her own life.

“A very satisfactory evening, Molly,” Daniel said as he climbed into the cab beside me and slipped his arm around my shoulders.

“I really don't think that’s proper, Captain Sullivan.” I attempted to move away.

“Just to make sure you're not swung around too violently, Miss Murphy. I'll wager the dreary, earnest Mr. Singer doesn't take you out to dine at places like this.”

“Let’s not discuss my relationship with Mr. Singer,” I said. “My personal life can be of no interest to you while you are engaged to someone else. We've been through this a thousand times, Daniel.”

“It is of concern to me and you know how I feel about you,” he said. “Dash it, Molly, you said yourself that you can't just shut off feelings for another person. You must still have feelings for me.”

Without warning he took me in his arms and was kissing me with abandon. I knew I should tell him to stop, but the champagne had numbed my limbs. It had also dulled my willpower and I had always liked Daniel Sullivan’s kisses.

“See, I knew it,” he whispered as we broke apart at last. “You do still have feelings for me.”

“What do you expect if you ply a girl with champagne.” I attempted to recover the last of my dignity. 'You don't play fair, Daniel. Stop the carriage. I'll get out and walk the rest of the way home.”

He grabbed my hand as I reached up to attract the cabby’s attention.

“You'll do no such thing. Allright.I promise 111 behave myself for the rest of the journey. It’s just too tempting, sitting here in the dark beside you. It’s been too long since we've been alone together.”

“And it won't be repeated in the near future. Next time you invite me for a business meal, 111 come in my own cab and 111 drink water.”

Think of tonight as good practice for Barney Flynn,” Daniel said. “I understand he’s something of a ladies' man himself.”

“Surely not, with his wife present?”

Daniel just grunted.

“And you have no qualms about sending me into such a lion’s den then?”

“If anyone can handle Barney Flynn, you can. And you are a cousin, after all.”

The cab slowed and came to a halt. “I'd rather not take the horse up the alleyway, if you don't mind, sir,” the cabby called down to us. “He don't like backing up.”