***
Thankfully,what remainedof the evening passed without further incident. While Fallon didn’t see Locklyn anymore,Atticus had also managed to disappear. While her partners had lessened somewhat after dinner,Mr. Wade Clareapproached her with a request. He regaled her withhumoroustalesduring their set that had her genuinely smiling.She imagined thathehad left a trail of broken hearts in his wake during his youth, although he was still a rather attractive man with his dark hair, the temples just starting to gray, the lines around his mouth and the corners of his eyes crinkling with age.
Of course, the way he spoke so fondly of his wife, Onelia,itconvinced Fallon that he was rather besotted and would not be the type to stray.Healsoasked her questions about her life in Ireland, but there was no censure or judgment in his words, just a sincere curiosity. In his easy company, she found that the earlier unpleasantnessshehadexperienced from Locklyn, and even earlier in theevening began to drift awayas she spoke about her life in Carraroe. She was careful not tomention the lingeringrebellion, but rathertouched uponher favorite parts of the Emerald Isle, such as the rolling fields and high cliffs that overlooked the sea.
“You paint a rather lovely picture, Miss O’Malley. Perhaps someday all of the unease will settle down, for it seems likeaplace I should like to visit.”
It was something so simple, but his consideration made tears spring to her eyes.
After their set was over, Fallon had to cover a yawn, so she decided to pay a visit to the ladies’ retiring room. Perhaps a bit of water on her face might help to restore her. But then, a quick glance at the clock on the mantel showed it was nearly three in the morning.She wasn’t generally used to such late hours.
When she would have made her excuses to retire, she spied a couple at the edge of the ballroom in a rather secluded corner. She froze when she spied Atticus leading an elegantly attired lady to the dancefloor. She had brilliant red hair and deep brown eyesand a laugh that seemed to float on the air as shehung on to his every word.
It appeared that Mr. Clare was not immune to hercharmseither, for he showeredher with attentionas they twirled about the floor. It was quite a different scene than the waltz they had shared.
She glanced away from the intimate scene, but saw Eliza heading back from therefreshment table, so shehastilyapproached her. “Do you know thatwoman dancing with Mr. Clare?”
Elizaglanced in the direction and thenrolled her eyes. “That’s hiswife.”
Fallon grittedher teeth.“I wasn’t speaking oftheelderMr. Clare, but Atticus.”
“Oh.” Eliza blinked and glanced beyond thecouple. She gave a slight wince. “Her name is Mrs. Josephine Stuart. She’s a widow andhasbeen linked toAtticus from time to timeover the years.There was talk that they were on the verge of a betrothal beforetheybroke things off andheleft Southampton to become a privateer. When he returned,she had married. That wasa coupleyears ago.” Her expression became grim. “She’s been in mourning for the past year after the death of her husband, but it appears she hasfinallyreturned to society.”
And Atticus.
It wasn’t saidaloud, but Fallon knew that’s what her cousin was inferring.Fallonreluctantlylooked back atthe dance floorand had to admit that they made a fetching couple. And Josephine certainly had no trouble fitting into English society.
Fallon’s shoulders stiffened.Eliza might have imaginedFallonwould be the belle of the ballthis evening, but the truth was, shewould never be able tohold a candle to Josephine.
Chapter Six
SinceFallon refused to stand along the sidelines and watch as Atticus and Josephine fawned over one another, she made her excuses to Eliza and retired for the evening. She was told that bythe time the lastof theguests hadleft, the bright orange streaks of dawn were beginning to paint the autumn sky.While she hadn’t made it that long, Fallon still awoke to the earlyafternoon sunlight streaming right into her eyes from the open curtains.
With a groan and a rumbling stomach, Fallon reluctantly got up and grabbed the robe at the end of her bed. Slipping her arms in the sleeves, she went behind the privacy screen to relieve herself and then walked over to the dressing table. Shesat down and thenpicked up the brush and began to ease the tangles in her hair, whilecontemplating everything that had happened the night before.
She knew she would have to seek out Eliza’s adviceabout Locklyn Durmor should he decide to call. Shecertainly didn’t want to entertain him if he did, but she didn’t wish to be rude since his mother was friends with her aunt. It could very well turn into a rather tricky situation.
As for Atticus Clare…
Well, she wasn’taboutto think of him. He might have interceded with her and Locklyn, butit was obvious that he still held atendrefor the lovely widow.
There was a knock at her door and Francine’s voice called out from the other side. “Fallon? Are you awake?I wish tohave a wordwith you.”
Fallon sighed, for shewasn’t yet prepared for this conversation, but sheknew there was no use puttingitoff. She’d known it was coming ever since she’d spoken so plainly at the table. “Come in,”she called out in return.
Her aunt breezed into the room and filled the space with her lavender cologne. She spied Fallon at thedressing tableand lifted a brow as she took a seat near thefireplace.“I’m sure you know by now that I’m not one to mince words.”
Fallonnodded andbraced herself for the backlashthat would surely ensue about giving her opinions so freely and causing offense.
“Ishallpersonally consider the ball a success even after your… unfavorable notions at dinner, but Ialsowanted to make it perfectly clear that I don’t want you to encourageAtticus Clare’s attentions.”
Feeling any sort ofexcusedie in her throat,for shecertainly hadn’t been prepared forher aunt’s cautionary,Fallonsaid,“I assure you there is nothing untoward between Mr. Clare andmyself.”
“I’m glad to hear it,”Francinereturned. “You don’t know the kind of man he is. While he hashada proper upbringing, it isonlythroughhis father’s good name andWade’scharitable work in Parliament that has saved the family from utter ruin. After his son’s atrocious actionsbyrefusing to fight for Englandin the warit’sshockingthe rapscallion wasn’t tried and hanged for treason,as he deserved.”
WhileFallonhad been inclined to agreein the beginning, shehad learned long ago that there were two sides to every story and without hearing his defense, she wasn’t prepared to call him out as a miscreantas eagerly as she had been before he’d come to her aid with Locklyn Durmor.
“Now thatI am assured thatMr. Clareisnot a concern,andalthoughI’m rather displeased thatyou were quite…forcefulin your opinions about such an unruly country—” Again, Fallon had to hold back her thoughts. “—You are fortunate that a man of worth has decided to pay his addresses to you.”
