Saturday Snippet: Are You Mocking Me?

The following snippet is taken from 

Kendrick 

Book 9 in the series,

Bachelors & Babies

 

            Kendrick offered what he hoped came across as a reassuring and agreeable smile. “Mrs. Thompson, I can assure you, I have no plans to marry. I’ve been content as a single man…”

            “Of course, you’re content.” Dorcas gestured in the direction of Madeline, who now sat up and, an expression of bewilderment on her face, looked about her. “It’s obvious how you have kept yourself content, Mr. Denham. However, I will not allow you to ruin my sister’s reputation. She comes from good stock, and deserves a husband who is responsible and conducts himself beyond reproach.”

            Conducts himself beyond reproach? Kendrick clamped his teeth together to keep from blurting out that he, along with many of the established men in town, knew Simon Thompson did not always stay away from home until late at night due to the demands of his job as a supervisor on the aqueduct project. He was known to keep company with a dark-haired French prostitute who had a place set up on Yankee Hill road. “Ma’am, believe me or not, as I know you will, but I did not father this child. For what reason I don’t know, the mother chose to name me as this baby’s father. I haven’t had enough time to figure out what I will do with her, but I will see she is well cared for.”

            “It’s the least you can do. Just make sure you do not ruin my sister’s reputation by pursuing her. She can do better than to marry a man who flaunts his indiscretions.”

            Kendrick huffed. Forget about trying to be agreeable with this woman. Like a dramatic scene in a vaudeville act at a show he once attended, Kendrick slapped the palm of his hand to his chest and swayed sideways. “Madame, you wound me. To consider the loss to me--oh, to be denied the pleasure of a familial connection with you, causes me great distress.”

            Dorcas narrowed her eyes as she studied Kendrick’s face. “Are you mocking me?”

           Yes. “No, ma’am, I wouldn’t dream of it. I will assure you of one thing. I will make no attempt to seek out and ruin your sister when she arrives.”

            If she is anything like you, I don’t want to come within a hundred miles of her.

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