And now…
With a gasp, she sat upandinstantly regrettedthe motion as her head abruptly spun. She groaned lightly and put a hand to her temple in an effort to cease theshooting pain at her temples.
“Anseo,ól seo.”
Fallon’s head whippedto the sideat the sound of the deep voice speaking in her native tongue. She spied thedark figure loomingnear her, although she hadn’t heard him approach.When he extended an arm holdinga glass of water,she eyeditwarily.
“I assure you it’s not poisoned, if that’s what you fear,” hecontinued todrawl in perfectgaeilge. “I have dealt with adversaries with far less grace, I assure you, and thus far you have given me no reason to distrust you.At least, notyet.”
Reaching outa trembling hand, Fallon took the glass, careful to ensure that theirbarefingers didn’t touch as she did so. His arm fell back to his side and she regarded him over the rim of the tumbler as she took a long, cool drink.
Hehadn’t moved from her side.
“Better?” he asked when she had finished.
“Yes, thank you.”She set it aside on a nearby table and then clasped her hands in her lap. Her gaze shifted back to him, yearning to see something through the void thatcontinued toseparate them. “So, you’re the Raven.”
Even though she hadn’t posed it as a question, he replied, “I am.”
For a moment, she merely studied him. Even cast in shadow, she could tell that his face was covered with a black leather half mask, his hair covered by a black, cocked hat that had gone out of fashion ever since the arrival of the top hat. However, since this man was a known bandit of the seas, it rather suited him. Wearing buff trousers and a white shirt that hungopen and awayfrom his frame, she could clearly see the muscular visage beneath, for he stood in front of the lantern, letting the light shine through the thin material.
While she had carefully rehearsed her speech, she couldn’t help but note. “You’re British, for you don’t have the inflection of a true, Irish accent.”
He hesitated, but thenmust have decidedit wouldn’t matter if he offered that bit of truth. “Aye.”
“Why are you doingall of this?” she asked, not even realizing that she yearned for the answeras she waved a hand over his disguise. “What do you gain if Ireland wins their independence?”
He stiffened slightly andFallonwondered if she’d overstepped. But as hemovedinto the light and she caught her first glimpse of thoseglittering eyes shining out through the slits of hismask, she understood why some people thought he had the heart of a demon. There was no doubt in her mind that he was an unrelenting force to be reckoned with, and could be ruthless and deadly if the need arose.But for some reason she couldn’t fathom, she wasn’t afraid.
“I have my reasons.”
When the silence stretched between them, he leaned against the wall and regarded her with an unrelenting stance. In turn, she didn’t like sitting here on this bed, vulnerable if he chose to pounce on her, but since this was where he was willing to talk, she would take what she was offered and be grateful. “I appreciate that you consented to see me. I realize how perilous it was for you.”
“I’m not theonlyone who took a risk this evening,” he pointed out.
She didn’t disagree. “True. But like you, I have my reasons for taking such a risk.”
His nostrils flared slightly as he crossed his arms. “And what is that?”
She moved her gaze to her lap, finding it difficult to meet his gaze when she sighed, “Freedom.”
“Is that why you threatenedto turn me into the authoritiesif Father O’Leary did notdo yourbidding?”
Shehad the grace towince slightly.“Iwillapologizeto himfor that.I was merely afraid that if I didn’ttrysomething…drastic, that I couldn’t get him to agree. I knowhewants toencourage me to seek a better life with family.”
“And have you not? From what I understand, you are doing quite well.”
She didn’t care for his superior tone, but she wasn’t surprised that he’d checked up on her.“I’mlittle more thana prisonerin England.I left Carraroeto live with my aunt at her request. When I arrived, her reception was not as welcoming as I’d hoped, although my cousin was delightful. But things have… changed and it is not for the better.”
“And you believe returning to Carraroeholds all the answers you seek?” Hemocked. “They are on the brink of another rebellion. If you are searching forfreedom,it sounds to me as ifyou would do well to remain where you are.”
“Even if it means I shall be forced to marry a man I cannot abide?” Sheshot back bitterly. Shegot up from the bed andput as much distance between them as she could. However,she didn’t bother to hold back the animosity that laced her tone as she continued. “If it was justmy aunt that I had to contend with, I would not be so desperate to leave, but it’shisattentionsIwill not abide.” She hugged herself. “I fear he will make an offer of marriage soon and I will be forced to acceptit.”
“Most young women dream of marriage.”His tone had relented slightly.
She laughed, the sound forced. Instead of responding to his statement directly, sheturned around to face him andsaid, “I have struggled my entire life. My parents died in the famine when I was a child. Afterward,I was taken in by mypaternalgrandparents. Aftertheypassed, I found myself yearning for some signthat would finallyexplainwhy I was spared all those years ago when so many others had perished. I was standing over my grandmother’s grave when I received my aunt’s telegram, so I naively believed it was the salvation I had been searching for.Marriage was the furthest thing on my mind.”
She closed her eyes, the memory of that dayburning into her. It had felt like a lifetime had passedsince then, when it had beenjusta few weeks. “Irealized after I arrived that I hadembarked on this journey to England with false expectations.I didn’tdiscover thatuntil I’d arrivedand by then, it was too late. It has been a miseryhereever since.”
