“Wh-what?”
Sean echoed her exactly.
Adare smiled. “We are both happy—and relieved, I might add, as this is the last bit of news either of us ever expected.”
Virginia had a bad feeling, oh yes. She glanced at Sean, seeking help.
He coughed.
“How on earth did you two meet?” Mary asked, putting her arm around her.
Virginia could not think of an intelligent answer. And she was referring to Devlin—wasn’t she?
Adare clapped his hand on Sean’s shoulder. “Being as Devlin was not kind enough to inform us of the upcoming nuptials, I will ask you. When is the wedding? Has anything been planned? You know your mother would love to help plan the event.”
“The wedding,” Sean said cautiously, his cheeks red.
“Yes, Devlin’s wedding. The first thing we heard when we got home was the news that Devlin is engaged. The moment we stepped off our ship at Limerick, the mayor was congratulating us—as was every squire and merchant.” Adare now stared closely at Sean. “What is amiss, Sean? You seem upset.”
Sean and Virginia looked at each other helplessly.
Mary now ceased smiling. “Is something wrong?” She turned to her son. “Sean?”
Virginia spoke, as he seemed incapable of it. Her mouth somehow formed the painful words. “I am sorry. I am not Devlin’s fiancée. There has been a terrible misunderstanding.”
“I don’t understand.” Mary was pale.
“Well, this would certainly explain why Devlin did not say a word to us when we saw him in London.” Adare was grim and displeased. “I am afraid to ask, then, what this is about. You are Devlin’s guest? “His gaze narrowed. “We have not been properly introduced.”
Virginia did not want to upset Mary de Warenne, but there was no choice. “I am not a guest here,” she said.
“I don’t understand,” Mary whispered.
“You are not a guest,” Adare said slowly. He turned to Sean. “Is she your wife?”
He flushed crimson. “No. Father, perhaps you should sit down.”
“I have a very bad feeling. Out with it!” Adare said, and it was a command.
Sean murmured, “Virginia is the Earl of Eastleigh’s niece.”
A terrible silence fell.
VIRGINIA STARED OUT THEFRENCHdoors, which were open, due to the weather, and watched the earl embracing his wife. Mary was crying. She felt Sean come to stand behind her and a moment later she felt his hand cover her shoulder. She turned to face him.
“Now we know why Devlin has not ransomed you,” Sean said softly. “He was too busy defending himself against a court-martial.”
“Eastleigh probably thinks I’m dead. He probably thinks I lie on the bottom of the sea with theAmericana,” Virginia said uneasily.
“Probably,” Sean agreed.
“Why is your mother so dismayed?” she asked. “No one told her about the ransom.”
Sean hesitated. “Some of it has to do with how much Mother yearns for Devlin to find happiness.”
Virginia stiffened. “He’s not interested in happiness.”
“You are right, I think,” Sean said. “But she is his mother, and every mother wants her child to be happy.”
