“I know.”
Weeks passed into a month, then two. She dined with Sean every evening, and within a few weeks, the tension had disappeared and it was almost as if his brother had never done what he had. Virginia began to look forward to each evening when they would share a fine supper, good wine and never run out of conversation. Sean worked hard managing the estate, and during those evenings, his discourse would include the problems he had encountered and the triumphs, great and small. Virginia quickly learned all about the Corn Laws and how they had saved Ireland; by the month’s end she knew as much about that crop as she did about tobacco. Frequently their conversation became political. Liverpool, a man who Sean apparently thought a great deal of, had formed a new cabinet and was now prime minister. In mid-August they both read theDublin Times,learning that the United States had declared war on Great Britain in June, even though the Orders in Council had been repealed. British forces had taken Mackinac, a small settlement in the northwest, and a British squadron had captured the USSNautilus.
Virginia was stunned. “How can your country think to reduce us to colonial status again?” she cried.
“We hardly think to reduce the United States to being our colonies again,” Sean had replied. “We did not want this war—our hands are full in Europe. Your war hawks are responsible for this, Virginia.”
Virginia knew something about American politics but little about war hawks. “My father was a very intelligent man and he said repeatedly that Britain has no respect for our rights, that she wishes to regain her status as a mother country and she will never allow us free trade! How many American ships were seized like theAmericanaby your navy? How many Americans like myself were abducted off of those ships—and impressed? Do you have any idea how much income your country has cost us due to your restrictive trade policies?” she challenged. And she could recall her father making the very same arguments over supper at Sweet Briar.
“Unfortunately you wish to feed and clothe Napoleon and his armies, Virginia,” Sean said calmly. “And that cannot be allowed.”
In the end, neither of them won the debate and a truce was called, but now news of the war was avidly followed by them both. An Indian massacre of the American Fort Dearborn followed, as did the British capture of Detroit. This new war, so insignificant to the British and so important to the United States, was not going well for the Americans.
There was no word from Devlin, not a single letter. If a ransom was in progress, he was not keeping them informed.
One evening, Sean suggested that she might enjoy riding out with him to inspect the holdings of some tenants, and she accepted. They toured two tenancies not far from Limerick, took supper there, and the next day, she went with him for the first harvest. She began to join him on a daily basis. Their friendship blossomed.
She almost forgot he had a brother. It seemed to be true after all, that time healed all wounds, and now she managed not to think about Devlin O’Neill. Somehow, she had buried him in some deep dark place and it was almost as if he did not exist—except that, deep in her heart, she knew he was the one man she would never forget.
Toward the middle of September the last days of summer turned hot and humid. Virginia came down for supper one night and heard unfamiliar voices in the front hall. Her steps slowed as she realized that both a man and woman were present, chatting amiably with Sean. From his light tone, she could tell that he was happy. Very curious as to whom their first visitors were, she paused before going in.
Immediately, her eyes were drawn to a tall, dark man with swarthy skin and the bearing of someone with great power. Her gaze veered to a tall woman with sun-gold hair, a lush figure and an elegant bearing. Virginia’s heart skipped, for she recognized this woman immediately. Devlin O’Neill looked so much like her in feature and coloring that there was simply no doubt that this was his mother.
Which meant that the tall, dark man with her had to be the Earl of Adare, Edward de Warenne.
Virginia thought about fleeing before anyone saw her, then pleading a headache, as she felt certain they had come to dine, but it was too late.
“Virginia.” Sean had seen her and he smiled widely. His gray eyes were sparkling. “Come meet my parents, Lady Mary de Warenne and my stepfather, Lord Adare.”
The couple turned simultaneously and Virginia met two piercing stares. For one moment, she felt certain that she was being thoroughly inspected. Slowly, she came forward, filled with unease and dread.
But Mary smiled. “Hello, child. We returned from London yesterday and as soon as we heard the news, we rushed over.”
Virginia actually curtsied. “My lady.”
“Leave it to Devlin not to say a bloody word,” Adare said darkly, staring closely at her.
Virginia looked at Sean in confusion. He seemed bewildered, as well. “How is Devlin?” he asked dryly.
“He was up to his neck in a ruckus of his own causing,” Adare said grimly. “He was once again accused of disobeying direct orders—rumor has it he attacked an American ship.”
“What happened?” Sean asked grimly.
“There was a hearing arranged by Admiral Farnham with the clever help of Tom Hughes. Devlin, however, claimed to have come to the aid of a foundering American merchantman, insisting he attacked no American ship. Several of his men testified that this was true. The ship, theAmericana,was apparently lost in a gale and there were no survivors. Farnham was outvoted two to one by St. John and Keeting—the motion for a court-martial dismissed.”
Sean was pale. “Christ.”
Adare held up his hand. “He is on probation and he was sent to escort a convoy to Spain. My son has nine lives—and he’s used up ten.”
Virginia was perspiring heavily. There was an explanation now for Devlin’s prolonged absence. She would not defend his behavior—for look at how cleverly he had lied to his own admirals!—but somewhere, in a tiny corner of her heart, she was relieved to know that even if he had wanted to return to Askeaton, he could not. She bit her lip hard, then gave up. “Is he returning here at any time soon?” she asked nervously.
“I wouldn’t know,” the earl said, his tone kind.
Mary beamed at her. “Why, I should hope so! Or does he expect his brother to keep you company while he sails the world?”
Virginia became very uneasy.
“Congratulations, my dear,” Mary said, grasping both of her hands. “I am so happy for you both.”
