She knew what he was referring to and she blushed. “That is not fair.”
“Life is hardly fair. And I am tired of your hypocrisy.” He began to propel her back in the direction she had come.
Katherine hurried to keep up with him, trying to dislodge his hurtful grip. She gave up, for it was clear he wished to drag her about, and she was very aware that passing villagers were watching them with avid curiosity—with more than a few smiles amongst the men. She stumbled alongside him as he quickened his already long, brisk strides. His iron hold kept her upright. “What are you going to do?” She could not keep the anxiety out of her tone.
His eyes were chips of silvery ice. “We shall settle this issue once and for all.”
“What do you mean?”
His answer was a dangerous smile. Katherine grew frightened. He was very angry, he did not understand that she had not really wanted to leave him, and she was not ready to bare her heart to him, not yet. She could not begin to imagine what he intended for her, now. Suddenly he veered right, turning onto a street going into the center of the village, instead of continuing on toward the castle on the hill above the town.
“I want to know where you’re taking me,” Katherine panted as his pace increased.
This time he did not look at her. “The church.”
And suddenly, through a cluster of silver birch trees swaying in a summer-soft breeze, Katherine saw the freshly whitewashed church on the corner ahead of them, its tall gray steeple and golden cross piercing the air. Suddenly she began to fathom what he was doing—but surely she was wrong! “Liam, stop, this makes no sense,” she cried, trying to pull her arm free of his iron grip.
His response was to propel her forward along the stone path bordered with blue pansies and up the chapel’s three front steps.
“What can you be thinking?” she gasped as he crashedhis shoulder into the front door. It flew open, banging loudly on the inside wall.
“’Tis time we are wed,” he said.
Inside, the church was cool, the light dim. It was startlingly quiet. Stained glass windows graced each side of the nave where they stood, the altar in front of them. All the symbols of the mass were present, including a huge gold crucifix, and Katherine knew immediately that the church was Catholic, but that gave her no comfort at all. It only added to her confusion.
“Liam,” she managed desperately. “I am already married. You know that.”
His icy regard held hers. “And I also know that your marriage to Hawke was never consummated. I wonder if he has not already divorced you? In any case, surely you know that the Pope does not recognize marriages between Catholics and heretics. In the eyes of your own church, Katherine, you and Hawke are not wed.”
“But you are Protestant,” she said weakly, beginning to realize that he was deadly earnest. And of course, she knew that he spoke the truth.
“My beliefs are my own,” he said flatly, “but Father Michael will not refuse me, for I built this church, brought him here, and I pay his stipend. He can convert me now, and marry us, too.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but only managed a strangled sound. It quickly dawned upon her that a Catholic marriage was what she had always wanted—but not, of course, to a godless pirate.
“Liam,” a male voice said from the other end of the nave.
Katherine half turned and watched the priest drifting up the aisle toward them, his dark robes flowing gracefully about his slim form. He was a young, dark-haired man, and he smiled at Liam as if he were pleased to see him. Katherine’s pulse raced so fiercely now that she felt faint.
Would it be so terribly bad to marry Liam O’Neill?
“Father Michael,” Liam said quietly. “I wish you to meet Katherine FitzGerald.”
Father Michael turned to her, also smiling. “I have beenhoping to make your acquaintance, my lady,” he said, his gaze holding hers. His blue eyes were both kind and serene. “To welcome you to our island, and to offer you my services should you have need of them.”
Katherine could not speak.
“I want you to marry us,” Liam said, “I, of course, will take the necessary vows.”
The priest regarded him, not appearing at all surprised. “Am I to understand that you wish the ceremony performed now?”
“Aye,” Liam said, his voice ringing out harshly in the empty church. “I wish you to wed us immediately.”
Katherine’s knees gave out. But Liam caught her instantly and moved her forward, down the aisle, to the altar, holding her upright. His gaze captured hers. Katherine saw the stark determination there, and knew that nothing, neither man nor beast, neither devil nor God, would sway him from his path now.
Liam opened the door to their bedchamber. Katherine was careful not to look at him or touch him as she preceded him into their room. They were married; incredibly, they were man and wife. She walked to the room’s far side and stood staring out of the narrow window at the courtyard below, not seeing a single thing.
She must accept her fate. And her fate, apparently, was Liam O’Neill.
