Kiernan took some hope from that and decided to share more of his plan. “You’ll leave on one of Captain O’Brien’s steamboats. My brother-in-law will hide you so that no other passengers see you. When you reach New Orleans, he’ll find passage for you on a steamboat bound for California.”
“I can go overland—”
“No. It’s too late in the year to start the trip by land. Then you’ll have to winter in Independence, and that’s too risky. Too many people from St. Louis end up there.”
Before they could discuss the matter further, the bedroomdoor opened, and Alannah stepped inside. She was still attired in her simple maid’s uniform but without the apron or cap. He’d told her she could wear anything in Zaira’s closet, but she was obviously still refusing.
Even so, she’d never looked more beautiful with her sleepy eyes and flushed cheeks. Her fair hair was brushed back and tamed in a simple braid that now hung over her shoulder.
As she took in Torin, she released a cry and then raced across the room. She looked as though she wanted to fling herself across him and draw him into a hug, but she stopped short at the edge of the bed, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “You’re awake.”
“You couldn’t get rid of me that easily.” Torin attempted a grin and held up a hand.
As she lowered herself to the edge of the bed, she took his hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it, her tears spilling over and sliding down her cheeks. “Don’t you ever be scaring me like that again, do you hear me?”
“I’ll try not to.” Torin’s eyes brimmed with so much love for his sister that an ache formed in Kiernan’s chest. Maybe someday Torin would be able to come back to St. Louis and be with Alannah if he changed his appearance and name. Even then he’d always risk discovery and danger.
Kiernan left the two to converse while he went into the guest room where he’d been staying. He changed into fresh clothing and groomed with Winston hovering nearby. Then Kiernan stepped back into the sick room, tugging at his cuffs.
He glanced up in time to see Alannah watching him, her eyes wide upon him with admiration. And desire. The blue of her eyes was like a deep pond beckoning him to dive in and lose himself there.
His muscles hardened with the need to cross to her, pick her up, kiss her, and forget about everything else in his life.
As though reading his thoughts, her lips parted slightly.
What he wouldn’t give to be able to trace her mouth and that seductive dip of her upper lip. She was truly the most beautiful woman he’d ever met, the most beautiful in all of St. Louis, and he wanted her to be his without question and without any more hesitation.
Her gaze dropped to her hands in her lap, her fingers laced tightly together, as though she was refraining from her need to touch him.
“Oh aye,” Torin said with a weak laugh. “We’ll be needing the priest today, so we will.”
Kiernan tore his attention from Alannah to find Torin watching them, his mouth tilted up in a wide grin.
Alannah didn’t respond except to lift a brow in question.
“I want you to be marrying Kiernan,” Torin explained. “Before I leave for California.”
“California?”
“Kiernan’s worked out the details for me to go away. But I won’t be doing it until I know you’re married and situated.”
Alannah stared at her brother for several long heartbeats.
Kiernan stiffened as he waited for her response, but even as he braced himself for the worst, he prayed for the best.
“I’ll be going with you, Torin,” she said. “I’d surely like California better than St. Louis.”
The hope Kiernan had been grasping started to slip away.
Torin reached for her hand and clasped it between his. “I want you to marry Kiernan. He’ll give you a life I won’t be able to, a stable home, safety, and happiness.”
She pulled away from her brother, stood, and braced herhands on her hips. “You’ll not be planning my life for me, Torin Darragh. I’m old enough to figure it out for myself, so I am.”
“Blast.” Torin scowled up at her. “Kiernan loves you and wants to marry you. Don’t you be throwing that away on account of your stubbornness.”
Alannah’s gaze shot to Kiernan’s, her eyes full of questions. He hadn’t declared his love to her yet, hadn’t known when the right time was, hadn’t wanted to scare her.
But now that she knew, he had to say something. His mind scrambled for an explanation, but at the lines beginning to crease her forehead and the panic filling her eyes, he had the sense that he was losing her again, perhaps losing her for good.
