The first mate relented slightly.“I know you don’t want to see her hurt. Neither do I. But don’t you think it does more harm than good bynotconfidingin her?”
“I don’t have a choice,” Atticus returned firmly, the set of his jaw nearly cracking under the pressure. “I will not yield in this.”
Sean finally relented. Giving a nod, he said, “Very well.”
As he left, Atticus still had the urge to slam his fist into something, but he knew it still wouldn’t dull the sharp ache in his chest.
Chapter Fifteen
After her interaction with the Raven,Fallonfound that she wasabruptlyrevived,any injuries forgotten,but without anything to wear other than a worn counterpane, she was forced to pace the room. After a time, she plopped back on the cot and laid down for lack of anything else to do.
She must have found a way to go back to sleep, for the next time she woke the sun was shining in her eyes. She blinked against the light coming through the single porthole and sat up, wondering how long it would be before the Raven returned.
Shortlyafter that thought the door opened, but it wasn’t the captain of the vessel that greeted her with a rather sheepish grin. “Dia dhuit,Fallon.”
“Sean?” Her mouth fell open as he walked in with a tray of food that instantly caused her stomach to grumble.He’d also brought a small pail of water and a rag.But the shock of seeing him there outweighed everything else at the moment. She jumped up, but made sure to keep the blanket carefully clutched about her. “You’re part of the Raven’s crew?”
“Aye.” He nodded his red head,but that’s all he offeredas he set thetrayon the desk. He walked forward and tossed a bundle on the cot beside her. “It’s not much, but it’s something to wear. I’ll step out while you get dressed.”
When he was gone, Fallon discarded the blanket and picked up the gray, woolen garmentsthat had been left behind.The shirt and trousers wereslightly large, but certainly preferable to nothing at all. After she hadcautiously removed the bandage from around her head andrun her fingers through her hair in an attempt to calm thelong tresses, she finally gave up and decided thather appearancewould have to do without the proper toiletries.“I’m ready,” she called out through the door.
Sean returned and glanced at her approvingly. “Doesn’t look too bad.”
She smoothed her hands downhersides.“But the question is, who did you steal this from?”
“One of the other crewmen.” He reddened slightly. “I fear we have a shortage of dresses on board for stranded female passengers.”
She smirked. “Oh, really? It wouldn’t surprise me if the Raven invited women on board all the time.” She turned away so that Sean couldn’t see the hurt on her face should he admit the truth.
But as she was under the pretense of inspecting the fare he’d brought, he said, “That’s where you’re wrong,lass. No matter what rumors you might have heard about the Raven, he’s an honorable man.”
She heaved a sigh. “It wasn’t so long ago that another man made the exact same claim, but I’m not sure I’m inclined to believe either one of them.”
Sean was silent, and then he said quietly, “You need to eat. And then maybe some fresh air on the deck might do you some good.”
When the door shut behind him, Fallon released another breath, but rather than using her strength to think of the Raven, or Atticus Clare, she sat down on the cot and ate in silence.
Feeling even moreenergized,she decided that she would take Sean’s advice and venture to the top deck.
Not one of the crew spoke to her asshepassed, although if she caught their gaze they gave a brief nod before looking away. No doubt the Raven had given them strict orders not to engage with her.
She walked to therailandpeeredout over thecrystal,calm watersandimagined the moment when thedistantsightof her beloved homelandwouldcome into view.A burst of longing filled her chest, for shewas reminded of the day all those weeks ago when she hadwatched it recede into the distance.
So much had changed since then. In some ways, she didn’t even feel like the same person. And yet, she was going back to Ireland with more questions than when she’d left. Before, she might not have known where she had belonged, but now she realized that everything she’d known had been a lie. Her mother was an enigma that she might never have any hope of unraveling, but she would do her best to try.
Fallon turned from the horizon. By this evening they should be docking and she could finally be free from England, the Raven, and this ship, and try to find some semblance of peace.
Asuddenshout from above caught her attention and she saw the captain falling from one of the masts above her. Gasping in horror, the blood fled Fallon’s body as she watchedthe Ravenprepare to meet his death, but in the next instant, she realized that he had merely swung down from a rope to the next sail to help the rest of the crew secure the rigging.
“He does it all the time.”
Fallon turned to find Sean at her side. She hadn’t even heard him approach. “Pardon?”
He lifted a russet brow as his lips twitched. “I just wanted to ease your mind. You seemed concerned for our captain.”
She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant when her heart was still pounding.She certainlywouldn’t admit that the idea of the Raven falling to his demise bothered her more than she cared to admit. Instead, she retorted,“Some people enjoy the thrill of danger rushing through their veins, even ifitseems rather foolhardyto me.”
“So notonlydo I have no honor, but now I’m foolish?” a deep voice interjected behind her.
