“You flew out of here like a bat out of hell.DoI even want to knowwhy?” Seanbesieged Atticus the moment he had returned to thecabin.
“I wanted to ensure that ourguestarrived home safely,” hesaid curtlyas he finally ripped off his mask and tossed it aside. He didn’t want to tell his first mate that he had been hard pressed to let her leave just yet, so he’d followed her just so he could be with her that much longer. He hadn’t leftuntil she had shut thebalconydoors to her chamber.
Ifthatdidn’tmake him seemterribly besotted…
But then, Fallon O’Malley was as much of a mystery as people imagined the Raven to be. For an innocent to suddenly throw caution to the winds and give herself to an unknownman, and abanditat that—it just didn’t make sense.
However, since he wasn’t quite sure how he felt aboutwhat had happened between them just yet,he certainly had no hope of explaining it to anyone. And something told him that Sean wouldn’t appreciate this latest development.
Seansat in a chair across from him in the small kitchen at ascarredtable with two chairs.“I hope that you’re satisfied Fallon isn’t a spy now.”
“Indeed. Ialsobelieve that her desire to return to Carraroeis genuine.”He frowned. “And as much as I didn’t want toadmit thatthe Raven would help her, I agreed to do so.”
His first mateeyed him steadily, for he knew him better than anyone. “I see.And do you actually intend tohonorherrequest?”
That was the question Atticus was finding difficult to answer. “I’m not sureat this point.Shedoesn’t like Shawsea Hall,andI feel her concerns over her aunt andLocklynare genuine. My own past experiencesregarding Durmorwould have proven that even if she hadn’t told meofher current reservations. At the same time,I don’t feel comfortabletaking her back to Ireland where she couldget herself into trouble, either.”He blew out a heavy breath and shoved a hand through his hair.
“Aye,it’s a difficult situation,” Seanconcurred.He allowedthesilence to envelop them for a time, and then he asked, “Do you think she recognizedyou?”
Atticusshook his head. “It’s highly unlikely.From the time she arrived until she left,she wasn’t aware ofmuch elsebut the‘Raven.’”
Sean’s eyes narrowed. “You sound as though you aren’t happy about it.”
Again, Atticus wasn’t sure how to answer. He couldn’t very well tell his long-time friend that he was starting to resent his secret identity after what had transpired tonight. Or that AtticusdesiredFallon to wanthimand not some romanticized, pirate version.
Without a proper reply, he rose to his feet and said, “You should get some rest. We both have a long day tomorrow.”
Sean got up a bit more slowly. “Aye, Captain. I know when I’m being dismissed. As well aswhen you’re deflecting from something you don’t want to talk about.” The burly Irishman offered a mock bow as he departed.
While Atticus returned to his bedchamber to lie down, he found that the sun was coming up before he was able to fall into a fitful sleep.
Chapter Ten
“Fallon? Are you even listening to me?”
Eliza’s voice interrupted Fallon’s thoughts. She hadbeenwoolgathering, something that seemed to be happeningquite frequentlyfor the past sennight,ever since her shockinginterludewith the Raven.While she was overjoyed that Eliza had returned home from Londonat long last,she found that the worries she had once yearned to share were now consumed bythe memory of her sensual night withthe mysterious bandit. Even Locklyn’s visitsto Shawsea Hallhad not been as terrible to withstand, for theimagesof her Irish crusader were imprinted upon her brain.
She glancedat her cousin apologetically, where she was perusing some various bolts of fabric in the dressmaker’s shop.“I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
Tapping her arm playfully in mock reproof, Eliza gave her one of hermostbecoming smiles. “I can’t imagineanythingother than picking out the most wonderful dress for your dear cousin’s betrothal ball should take precedence!”
Fallonsmiled, overjoyed for her cousin and her recent news. But suddenly, her eyes began to water and her chin quivered. While she couldn’t behappierthat Eliza had finally gotten her proposal from Brendan in London, it made Fallon realize how short her time with her cousin would be, especiallywhenshe returned to Ireland.But if there was one bright spot in making thisjourney to Southampton, it had been Eliza Shaw.
“What is this?” Eliza chided gently as she reached out and hugged Fallon, who was crying in earnest now. “Truly,you must forgive my babbling. I feel I haven’t been very attentive to you.” She pulled back and took Fallon’s hands in hers. “Did something happen while I was away? Other than mother’sannoyinginsistence that you allow Locklyn Durmor to pay you his addresses?” She rolled her eyes. “I hope this is merely a phase and she will soon turn her attentions to my upcoming wedding and give you a reprieve from such nonsense.”
Since she couldn’t confide in Eliza without exposing the Raven, she pasted on a false smile.“It’s nothing.Truly.Perhaps I’mmerelyhaving sympathetic marital jitters.”
Eliza eyed her sternly, although her lips twitched. “I’m not sure Ibelieve you, but I shall allow you to avoid the matter for now. Justknow that I am always here for you should you need a listening ear.” She gave her an affectionate pat. “Until then, I shall cheer up your spirits by finding the perfect shade to go with yourcoloring—”
As Eliza continued tosearch thebolts of fabric, Fallonwandered over to the window.Thank goodness the shop hadcurrentlybeen vacant ofothercustomers, so no one had been witness to her abrupt emotional display. She had never been the type to break down like that and couldn’t understand why that had suddenly changed.
Ablur of movementin the streetcaught her attention and she glanced beyond the pane. With a gasp, she quickly ducked out of sight as a lady walked over to peer inside theshop. Josephine Stuart wasquitefetching in a walking dress of dark pink, the shade contrasting quite admirably to her copper locks. The matching bonnet, tilted just slightly on top of her head, and the parasol she held were the same adorning color.
But it wasn’t her attire that had made Fallon shrink back, but rather the man who stood at her side. She couldn’t hear what was being said, buther throat tightened as she watched Atticus bend down to whisper something inthe lady’sear. It sparked immediate laughter and Fallon watched as thecouple’seyes met briefly, before they continued to stroll past without even knowing that they had been observed.
Fallon’s heartsank, even thoughshe had heard the rumors that they were about to become engaged as well. And withsuch a beguiling woman hanging on toAtticus’severy word, it was no wonder. She had always thought they made a handsome couple from the first time she’d seen them together. A match between them would make perfect sense.
And yet…
