Elizabeth was flushed now. “Take her then! Marry her! And I shall pray you keep her pregnant with a dozen children, by God!”
But Liam was not through. “The pardon, Bess. Will you pardon her?”
Elizabeth’s angry expression became distinctly mulish. “Do I not do enough already? Returning your son to you, sanctioning your marriage?”
“Long ago you told me to come to you freely with any petition. You promised me you would reward me for my service. I have served you well. I petition you now, Bess. I want a pardon for Katherine.”
Elizabeth had turned red. “Very well! I will pardon her! But let me tell you this! If she ever appears in my sight again, I will have her seized immediately! Do you understand me, Liam? Keep her away from me and my court!”
“Yes.” Liam smiled.
He had won. The prize was his. Katherine was his.
37
Liam had also obtained an official pardon from the queen for his own crimes, as well as a commendation for his efforts on her behalf against FitzMaurice. She had also hinted at other future rewards should he be successful in maintaining the status quo in southern Ireland. Liam was stunned. Elizabeth had practically promised that one day she would ennoble him with his own lands and title, so he would have a patrimony to bequeath his son.
Now he strode toward theSea Dagger, which rode at anchor in the Thames not far from Richmond Stairs. A buxom young woman strode beside him, hurrying to keep up. In her arms was his son.
Liam could not take his eyes off the small, blond babe. How blue his eyes were. How blue, how alert, and how obviously intelligent. What a fine son Katherine had given him. Now Liam was going to bring her child to her, as he had promised her he would do.
When he had last seen her, she had been more asleep than awake. Yet she had told him that she loved him, that she trusted him. Had she not, then, spoken from the heart?
Liam hoped that it was so. He missed her so much and loved her even more, and he did not know if he could stand it if she did not feel the exact same way about him. But if not, he would continue to woo her until he had won her heart, just the way he had, so long ago, won her body.
He could not rest easy until they had been reunited, until they were living together again as man and wife.
“O’Neill!”
Liam paused, recognizing the voice of the man who called to him from behind. He turned and waited as Ormond strode toward him. Liam was tense and wary. This man was now his enemy.
Ormond halted. “Do you return to Katherine?”
“Aye.”
“She has joined her father, you know. In Bristol. They left for Ireland last week.”
Liam already knew this. Mary Stanley had sent him a long, informative letter.
Ormond hesitated, then thrust a small bundle at him. “Give this to her. I believe that she would want it.”
Liam stared at the earl of Ormond, but could not fathom what emotion he harbored, for his dark eyes were hooded, his visage impassive. “What is this?”
Ormond’s face contorted with emotion. “My mother, in her quieter moments, kept a journal. ’Twas returned to me upon her death. Now I thought Katherine might want it.”
Liam was stunned.
Ormond looked away. “Do not mistake me,” he growled. “I am forever FitzGerald’s sworn enemy, and I am poised now to break his back as I did at Affane so many years ago lest he dare to try to offend me or mine—or my queen! It matters not to me that Katherine is my half sister!”
Liam believed him, but he couldn’t help but smile.
“You find my words amusing?” Ormond snapped.
“Come, Tom, admit it,” Liam taunted quietly. “You have grown fond of my Katherine.”
Ormond’s jaw clenched. “Just slightly. So hear this, too. If you do not marry her and make a proper wife of her, I will chase after you, as well. And drag you to the altar.”
“We are already married,” Liam told him quietly.
