Something about seeing them together made herterriblyunsettled. She had no claims on Atticus Clare, and before too long she intended to be sailing back to Ireland where the chances of seeing him again were rare.
He was nothing to her.
She turned away,at the same time Eliza held up a bright, yellow satin. “I think this is the one, for it would surelygo far to brightenyourspirits!”
As if scenting a sale, the woman in charge walked over and nodded her head eagerly as she glanced from the fabric to Fallon. “Oh, yes! It would look divine on her! There aren’t many women who could wear such a brilliant color, but I agree that it will be lovely on you!”
Eliza handed the material to the woman, although her eyes were sparkling as they lit on Fallon. “We’ll take it.”
***
It was growing late by the time Fallon and Eliza returned to Shawsea Hall, forafter theirshoppingexcursion,they had also dined with theHayesfamily. Fallon had always thoughther future cousin-in-law wasrather friendly, but as they retired to the parlor after the meal for some entertainment, she found that he was quite humorous as well. Her earlier doldrums quickly vanished, so that by the timesheclimbed into the carriagewith Eliza, she had a true smile on her face.
Eliza bid her goodnight with a wide yawnwhen they returned homeand Fallon started to do the same, but once she’d changed into her nightdress, she remembered that there was a novel in the library that she had intended to finish reading, so she slipped on her robe and headed back downstairs to retrieve it.
She found it on the table where she’d left it, but instead of going back to her chamber immediately, she curled up in one of the chairs and opened the novel.
She woke up some time later, having fallen asleep in the middle of a chapter. Apparently, she hadn’t realized how tired she’d been.
Holding the book in her grasp, she got up and started to make her way back upstairs.The house was dark and still, althoughwhen she passedbyher aunt’s study,she noticed that a lightwasstill shiningbeneaththedoor.With a frown, she considered knocking, for as much as she seemed to be at odds with Francine, she was concerned if she was working this late.
However, when she heardmuffled voicescoming from inside, she instantly halted.Who could be calling at this time of night?
As the sounds drew closer to the door, Fallon’s heart started to pound, for it sounded as though the visitor was preparing to leave.
Not wishing to be caught standing out in the open, Fallon darted across the hall to the parlor and hid behind the open door just as theoccupants left the study. She held her breath,as the voices started to driftacross the hall. But itwas spyingthe visitorthrough the crack in the door,surrounded by a circle of candlelight,that surprised Fallon the most.
Locklyn’s mother,Martina Durmor,was drawing on her gloves. “Thank you for keeping me apprisedof the situation, Francine. I know you are as anxious as I am to see thiseventcome to its conclusion.”
Fallon froze. Whileher grandmother had always warned her that nothinggood could come of eavesdropping, at the same time a frisson ofwarning crawled up her spine.
“Icanjustimagine how you’re feeling, Martina,” Francine returned evenly. “You’ve certainly waited long enough for justice.”
Martina lifted a brow. “Let’s just hope everything goes according to plan.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that.My dear niece is perfectly naïve.”
“Let’s hopethatcontinues to bethe case,” Martina pointed out.
Fallon’s heart thumped loudly in her ears asshe realized they were speaking abouther. She was the “situation” that they were speaking of. And the wayher aunt spoke with such cold, calculating words…
“Rest assured, she doesn’t expect a thing. It’s all falling into place like I imagined it would. Now, you bestgethomebeforeanyone discovers you’re gone.”
“Ishouldn’t worry about my absence being overly noted,” Martina drawled. “The servants are used to my son coming in at all hours of the night.The boy can’t seem to cease his nightly visitsto the brothels in towneven though Itold him our plan willonlysucceed should he continue to play his part.”
As the conversation came to an end, Fallon heard the front door open and close and then a single setof footstepsventureddown the hall. The candle flame flickered as Francine headed up the stairs. The momentit was extinguished,Fallon finally allowed a shaky breath to escape. Sheremained where she wasfor a moment, shock keeping her immobile, as hundreds of unanswered questionstumbled aboutin her mind.
While she had always been curious about the divide between her mother and Francine, she had been so preoccupied with the Raven of late that she’d allowed some of herearlierconcern to fadeinto the background, but now it had suddenly taken precedence.Tohearsuch…animositycoming from someone who was supposed to be family, speakingwith the intent toenactrevenge… itmadeFallonrealize that something unforgiveable must have happened for Francine to take such extreme measuresintakingherretributionyears later.
Leaning heavily against thewallof the parlor, Fallon tried to regain some ofherstrength, as she silentlycrept back to her room, afraid with every step that Francine would discover her.
She made it back to her chamber, butsinceany hope of sleep had deserted her, Fallon walked over to her dressing table to retrieve the key to her trunk. She inserted it into the lock and lifted the lid. Shewithdrewthe portrait of her mother and stared at the face that resembled her own. From what she could remember of Moira O’Malley, she had been happy,full of smiles,but now Fallon wondered—had it all been a façadeto hide deepersecrets?
After hearing the exchange between Martina and Francine she realized that there wasn’t any more time to wait. She had tolearnwhat had happened between Moira and her sister to cause this terrible animosity, and then she had to return to Ireland, even if she had to do it on her own.
Tomorrow, sheintended tospeak to Eliza.
***
