Fallonjumped almost guiltily as she spuntoward the voice. Her stomach plummeted when she saw that it was Martina Durmor. The lady was seated across from her, next to Francine, and Fallonguessedthat thearrangement had been perfectly planned, as Locklyn also tookthe chairnext to Fallon.
Shegave the lady her full attention as shewaitedpatientlyforherto speak. Fallonsuspected that she wasaround her aunt’s age, althoughshe didn’t walk as steady, favoringone leg over the other and walkingwith a lion’s head canethat was currently propped on the chair back. Her salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back into a stern chignon, but she was also one of the grandestattiredguests in attendance, for sheboasted a shining ring on nearly every finger, as if she wished to show off her vast riches.
“I never got a chance to speak with you the other day, since you were quite set on leaving the manor.” She said this as if she was displeased and her formidable tone quite put Fallon into the center of attention, catching the notice of some of the other guests who were starting on the first course of the meal. “I daresay, as an Irishwoman forced to endure the constraints of such a combative and rebellious country, I’m curiouswhat you think of Southampton now that you areaway from such turmoil.”
Fallon stirred her soup andcould already feel the eyes of those around her. She wanted to say that she hadn’t felt confined until she’d arrived in England, but she thought it best to keep those opinions to herself and keep her responses vague.“It’sverylovely.”
The ladysmiled, but it could almost be mistaken for a smirk. “Lovely? Is that all?” She snorted. “Ishouldimagine the adjustment from such a provincial lifestyle has beena remarkable change. Why, what a gift it has been to begranted the chance to conversewith those who showproper etiquette.”
Fallon clenched her fists under the table and tried to keep her composure. It was almost as if the detestable woman wanted to embarrass her by bringing up her modest upbringing and thus, setting her apart from the rest of the assemblage.And tosuggestthat Ireland was somehow inferior? That could not stand.She cleared her throat.“On the contrary, Mrs. Durmor,IstillmissIreland.In truth,it was the harsh treatment from the English that I foundthe mostintolerable.”
The lady’s lips pinched in disapproval after her bold statementand the clatter of silverware had abruptly gone silent.Fallonlifted the soup spoon to her lips and cursedher wretched tongue.She had never been able to fully curb the instinct toallow any sort of slight to pass, including to her homeland, which she felt was often misunderstood. Was it so wrong to wish for freedom? The Scots had fought for the same during the time of William Wallace. What made Ireland so different?
“I daresay I’mintrigued byyour opinion of the English, Miss O’Malley.Please, do, continue.” An older gentlemanspoke upfrom farther down the table, although his statement caused a murmur of agreement to spread about the room.
Fallon knew it was best to offer some noncommittalnonsenseandthen fallsilent,but whether her grandfather’s strong beliefs were spurring her on or something else was making her bold,the words tumbled out.“For years English rule has crushed the spirit of our country with an iron fist. Many innocent people lost their lives because the Crown didn’tchoose tointervene during the faminewhen thousands perished. Afterward, thefewthatdared to rise up against the injusticewhen it was oversimply managed tocausefurther bloodto beshed.”
“You’re referring to the Irish Republican Brotherhood?” The same man asked. When she nodded her confirmation, he added, “Do you believe that such aformidableuprising is necessary? What of diplomacy?”
“It’s too late for that,”Another manwith a large moustacheinterjectedsourly. “Ireland has had history of turmoil and there is already a new rebellion taking over where the last one failed.TheFenian Movementisgaining strength each day, andit’sled by a ruthlessbanditcalled the Raven.” He spat the last as if it was distasteful on his tongue.“Several ships with supplies bound for Ireland have been waylaid by that criminal within the past year.”
Fallonhad heardabout the Ravenand his exploits, but instead of believing him to be some sort of rebel, many in Ireland looked upon him for guidance. Several hadjoinedthe Fenian’s purelybecauseofthe exploits of the Raven, whichwere becoming rather legendary. He was turningout to bea heroic outlaw that mightrival that of the infamous RobinHood.
“Have youeverseenthe Raven?” A ladyseated a few chairs over asked, her face alight with curiosity, and perhaps even a touch of romanticism.
Again, all eyes turned toFallon. “I have not.”Sheswallowed, knowing that even if she had she would never revealher knowledgepublicly,forit would be entirely too risky.
“He’s probably not even real, but a talethrownabout by these rebels,” the first man noted.
“I disagree,”The mustached mancountered. “The masked crusader isindeed,alive and well and laughs in the face of the havoc he is creating.I, myself, had a ship overtakenbetween Londonand Dublin.”
“Was anyone injured?” Another woman asked in concern.
“No. All of the crew was accounted for, but the cargo I had on board was a total loss.” His mouth turned down in disapproval.
Thefirstwoman who had spoken now clapped her hands together. Her hazel eyes dancingwith merriment. “Oh, how thrilling!We have amodern-daypiratein our midst! I thought we’d seen the lastof themafter the days of pillaging in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the West Indies.”
The man at her side snorted. “Onlya female would turn such adeplorablefigureintosomething resemblingfolklore.”Shegavehima sharp glance, which he ignored. “Rest assured that the days of piracyarelong over and just as ‘Calico’ Jack Rackham and Charles Vane were disposed of for their crimes, this maskedradical will be caught and dealt with in the same manner—with a short drop and a sudden stop.” He smiled in a rathersatisfiedmanner.
The woman rolled her eyes in disgust and turned to Fallon once more. “What is your view on the Raven, Miss O’Malley?Do you believe him to be a radical, or a hero?”
Fallonconsidered her words carefully. “I don’t really have an opinion one way oranother, exceptthat the Raven is guilty ofgiving Irelandthechanceto be heard whenno one else wouldlisten totheirgrievances.” She met everychallenginggaze she encountered directly. “How can he be hanged forbeing political?”
Silence.
“Because he is a traitor!” The first man said with incredulity. “And you would allow him to receive unwarranted glory for challenging the authority of the Crown?” He threw down his napkin as if he was prepared to exit the table and Fallon knew that she’d allowed her loyalty to Ireland tocausehertooverstep.
Thankfully, Elizasaved what had started to become a rather heated debate. “I daresay that’s enoughdebatefor one evening, is it not?This is a festive occasion and Iintend to celebrate.” She raised her glass of winein a toast. “If nothing else,I say welifta glass to this mysterious Raven for allowing us some rather lively conversation!”
A round of“Here, here!”fluttered about the table from men and women alike and Fallon breathed a sigh of relief. She caught Eliza’s gaze and mouthed her appreciation and received a friendly wink in return.Perhaps this evening might not turn out to be a disaster after all.
However,notuntil Fallon’s focus driftedtoward one certain manand caught Atticus Clare’s dark, haunting gazedidher heart start thumping wildly. He raised his glass to her in asilentsalute and brought thefluteto his lips and took along, slowdrink. Holding her gaze above the rim, his lips dared to curl in a sensual smile.
Fallon’s face flushed as she promptly glanced away,promisingherself that she wouldnotengage withhim for the rest of the night.
***
Helping himself to another swig of scotch that he’d kept securely hiddenin a flaskwithin his vest, Atticus leaned against the railing of the terrace with a pensive air. The guests continued to twirl and spin to the jovial music in the ballroom behind him, and although he knew it would be the right thing for him to return to the festivities, for more than one lady had shot him a glance with the hope of partnering with him, his mind was rather preoccupied.
