“And who might that be? Perhaps I’m familiar with the family.”
His dark eyesnever left her face, continuingto assess her, as if taking in every detailof hercharacter.She didn’t particularly care for the perusal, but she replied,“Mrs.FrancineShaw.”
“Indeed.” He glanced toward Sean and they exchanged a look that she had no idea how to interpret. “Ihappen toknow theShawsrather well.”
Shedidn’t have time to wonder what that meantas another voice interceded.
“Fallon O’Malley?”
She turned to see a curly-haired blonde in a creamy satin gowntrimmed in ivory lacewalking hesitantly toward her.Thelovelypicture she madecausedFallontofeel even more dowdy and out of place, a true stranger in a strange land.However, she hadn’t lost her pride, so she lifted her chin slightly and confirmed,“Aye.”
Afterthe confirmation of her identity,the girl gave a squeal andenvelopedherin an enthusiastic hug. Taken aback, it took Fallona moment torespond.
She patted the girl on her back and after drawing out of the embrace, the blonde announced with perfect English pronunciation,“I’m ElizaShaw.It’ssolovelyto have youhereat long last. I couldn’t wait to meet you and insisted oncoming in person to escort youtoShawsea Hall, rather than allowing one of the servants to do so.”
Fallon’s head was spinning at her cousin’s apparent enthusiasm when she hadn’teven known of her existenceuntil just a few short weeks ago.A critical fact that her aunt hadnearlyfailed to mention, although not completely unwelcome considering her bright nature.Butwhen Eliza suddenly turned and realized that they weren’t alone, her blue eyes lit with mischief andshescrunched up her nose in a flirtatious manner. “Why,Mr. Clare,whatever are you doing here?”
Fallon glanced between Eliza and Mr. Clare and was abruptly struck witha sudden twinge of annoyanceasher cousinbatted her eyelashes at the man. Of course, such a reaction washighlyabsurd. She’d just metMr. Clare. Sheshouldn’t care in the leastwho he associated with, or how familiar he might be toward her cousin.
“Hello, MissShaw.” He lightly kissed the gloved hand that was extended to himwith a tolerant air. “Always a pleasure.”
“I do hopethat you will be attending ourball at the end of the week.I shall be very upset with you if you don’t.”Eliza gave a fake pout and Mr. Clare’s lips twitchedin a way that hinted at deep grooves in his cheeks.
“I’m sure I can find the time,” he returned. Although he’d spoken to Eliza, that penetrating gaze had turned back on Fallon.She returned it in kind, daring him to glance away first.
Eliza motioned to a man in blue and silver livery standing erect by a shiny, black coach.“I’ll have Abramscome collect your things.”
As she continued to converse with Mr. Clare,Fallondismissed them andturned to Sean.“Thank you for everything.” She pushed back the emotion that threatened to intercede. “I shall miss seeing you in Carraroe.”
Hereached out and gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “Oh, I think you’ll see me often enough in Southampton.”
“I hope so,” she returned sincerely.Feeling as though she had to say something to the man in gray,sheforcedherself to turnin his direction. “Good day, Mr.Clare,” she said coolly.
“Miss O’Malley.”His voice caused her to shiver, but she pushed the reaction asideas Elizahappily threaded her arm through hers.As Fallonwalked towardthe carriage, she had to fight the urge to look back over her shoulder, for something told her that he wasstillwatchingher. She could feel those dark, intense eyes upon her as surely as a physical touch.
Onceshe was seated across from her cousinandtheybegan moving away from the docks, Fallon found that she couldn’t contain her curiosityabout the strangerany longer. “Who exactly isMr. Clare?”
Eliza’sbright blueeyes instantly lit up withvividinterest. “Hisfatheris the localsquire, andwhileyou’lllearnthat little happens inour quiet corner of England—it’s not as exciting as London, after all—Mr.Atticus Clareis our own personal scandal.”
Fallon’shead tiltedslightly. “How so?”
Her cousinlaughed, for she must have looked suspicious. “It isn’t as if he committed a murder. He merely avoided serving in the Crimean War, which many thought was rather unpatriotic of him.But as you might have already guessed, Mr. Clare isn’t the type to care aboutanyone’sopinion, however detrimental.”
Fallon considered this.“I’m sure he wasn’t theonlyone who chose to evade warfare,”shepointed out. “Many men are scared when it comes to enlisting—”
“Scared?” Eliza giggled behind her hand. “Atticus Clareis many things, but no one would dare call him a coward to his face!Besides, notchoosing tofight isn’t why somany regard himwithanunflatteringmien.As the carnage was taking place on the continent, he was profiteering fromit.He becamequite a wealthy merchant, sono matter how low some people may regard his actions,few dare to cross him.”
“Are you telling me that he’s apirate?” Fallonsnorted.That would certainly explain his unfashionably long hair and muscular frame.
“Not quite,” Eliza explainedwith a smug expression. “He’s aprivateer. There is a difference. Of course,” she shrugged. “He has given uplife on the sea and prefers to conduct business on land these days.His father, WadeClare, is very influentialin politics in the House of Commonsandhas done a lot forthe community ofSouthampton’s commerceand many recognize him for it. He’s highly respected, whichis probably the reason Atticushasn’t been completely ostracized.”She shook her head. “And at least the elderMr. Clareseems to have reconciled with his son,for it was rumored they weren’t on speaking terms for some time,but I imagine his wife had a lot to say about that. He adoreshis wife,Onelia. Theyhave an estate atthe edge of town,Clare Manor, although Mr. and Mrs. Clare spend most of their time in London.”
Fallon wasn’t sure what compelled her to ask,but she found the words escaping before she could stop them.“Is Atticusnotmarriedthen?”
“Oh, heavens no, andmost of usdon’tthinkhe ever will go so far as to take a wifeas heappearsto be a confirmed bachelor.More’s the pity.” Eliza sighed almost dreamily. “He’s rather handsome, but he prefers to keep to himself for the most part. His personal life has always beenkeptratherquiet.He’s a true mystery.”
Fallon digested thisinformationand decided that it would be a good idea to steer clear of sucha questionable man. Even if hisrebelliousdays were behind him, it was difficult for people to change completelyand it sounded as though hecould be a danger.
Her curiosity satisfied, she changed the subject. “Tell me aboutShawsea Hall.”
