Sean blinked. “You knew MoiraO’Malley?”
“Justbyrumor,” Atticus admitted. “She caused quite the scandalwhen I was young. She ran off withMartina’s husband, Kolin Durmor.Onlyshe hadn’t gone by Moira then. She was known as Mary Reading.”
Sean sucked in a breath. “Are you sure it was the same woman?”
Atticus nodded. “It’s been years now, but I remember my parents talking about it. Apparently, theReadingfamily moved to Southamptontojoin the railroad craze in 1840and it wasa few months laterwhenMaryand Kolinran off together. But their love affairdidn’t last long.Some weekspassed and thena letter arrived announcing Kolin’s death from scarlet fever,andMarywas never heard from again. Many thought shehadperished along with her lover. Her family was so ashamed of her behavior and the ensuing gossip that followed them that they moved to London.I never imagined that Fallon’s mother, and Mary Reading were one in the same until I sawaportraitshe had with her the day of the picnic.Itdidn’t takemelong to put the pieces together.”
Sean was silent for a moment, as if pondering the ramifications that Atticus hadn’t yet put into words. “Do you think Francine knewshehadn’t died, but merely changed her identity?”
“I would say it’s very likely she discovered the truth,” Atticus concurred. “And it stands to reason that she would want retribution for the scandal she had to weather when Mary left. Since she’s friends with Martina, something tells me they have found a way to punish Mary by way of heronlychild.”
The burly Irishman’seyes flashed with indignationas he started to leave. “I need to warn her—”
Atticus stopped him with a hand on his arm, his tone low with warning.“That’s the worst thing we could do!It wouldn’t do anything butcauseFallon to do something rash.I just read another letter she sent to Father O’Leary.You should know her well enough to realize thatif she has another reason to leave, she will. And do you really want her returning to Irelandon her own right now?”
As they stared eachotherdown for several moments, neither willing to back down, Sean finally sighed heavily and muttered, “Damn your eyesfor being right.”
Atticus released him, forhis acquiescenceknew thatSeanhad seen reason. “I promise you that no harm will come to her,” he said vehemently. “You have myword.”As his first mate gave a brisk nod of his head, Atticus said, “Good. Now let’s get to work. The rest of the crew will be here shortly andwe have to get things ready for the Raven to depart right aftertheball.”
“Aye, sir.”
Atticus watched as Sean headed below deck.
Now that he was alone,Atticusreleased the heavy breath he’d been holding and allowed the frown to crease his brow, because he wasactuallymoreworried about Fallon than heintendedto allow the overprotective Irishman to see.
***
The night of Eliza’s engagement ball was filled with tense silence as the carriage carrying Fallon, her aunt Francine, and the Durmors wove through the countryside toward Hayes Manor. Feeling asthoughshe might collapse under thechargedatmosphere, Fallon focused most of her attention outside, even though the slight sliver of moonlight did little to illuminate anything beyond the pane.
She looked upward andfocused ona lone star twinklingdown at herout of thedarkness, and Fallon instantly brought Atticus’s onyx eyes to mind. Butthatwasn’t surprising.These days, she saw his features in every faceandin every set of broad shoulders that she passed. Just the thought of seeing him that evening had her pulse racing in anticipation, even if Josephine would likely be by his side.
The carriagefinally came to a stop and the door was openedby a footman.A gust of wind blewas she alightedand Fallon withheld a shiver, either from the cold or because she was forced to accept Locklyn’s arm, she wasn’t sure.
As theyentered the brightly lit manor,more footmenwere there totaketheir outerwear,and then they tooktheirplace in line togreet the host and hostess.
Eliza andBrendanwere also in the receiving line as the guests of honor and she embraced her mother and Fallon. “I’m so glad you’ve finally arrived.” She beamed atboth of them. “I thought you would never get here.”
Elizagreeted Locklyn and his motheras well, but while it was polite, it was decidedly more reserved.Francine remained behind with Eliza and afterthey descended into the ballroom,MartinaleftFallon with Locklyn.Together they meandered about the edge of the ballroomwheretherewere already several guests in attendance.
Glancing about at the sea of faces, Fallon searched for one in particular. She didn’t catch sight of thatmagnificentdark hair pulled back into a queue, but she did spy Josephine Stuartstanding near the refreshment table,so she imagined Atticus wouldn’t be far behind. As suspected, shequicklycaught sight of him standing with his father and several other older men.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ retiring room. I fear my hem has come undone.” Locklyn rolled his eyes, but bowed stiffly and walked away, while Fallon headedtowardthe punchinstead. She decided now would be the perfect opportunity to approach the lovely widow andfeel outhow thingsreallystood between her and Atticus.
Josephine turned her head as she approached and Fallon offered afriendlysmile.“Mrs. Stuart. How lovely to see you again.”
“Miss O’Malley,” she murmured in return.
Fallon wasn’t sure what to say next, but the choice was taken from her as Josephinenoted almost absently, “Did you know that Mrs. Clare is cousin to the queen?”
Fallonfrowned, confused. “Pardon?”
“Queen Victoria,” Josephine explained, as if she didn’t know which monarch she was referring to. Shenoddedacross the room to where Wade Clare was standing. “I’m rather surprised Mr. Clareattendedthis evening, considering his wife isstillin London.Iwould have thought hemighthave joined herinstead.” Sheglanced at Fallon. “They are often in London as you know, as Mr. Clare has a seat in the House of Commons.”
Fallon felt a strange buzzing in her ears that eclipsed everything else around her. For someone who was directly tied to the Irish Rebellion against England in the past, to ever imagine that Atticus and his family might welcome herwith open armswhen Onelia Clare had a familial relationship to the Monarch wasalmost laughable. Her throat tightened. “Why are you telling me this?”
Josephine’sblue eyes flashedwith pity. “BecauseI’ve noticedthe way you look at Atticus when you believe no one isobservingand I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Fallonlifted her chin. “I don’t know what you mean.”
