The moment Sean was in sight, Atticus strode toward him. The anger he’d felt when he’d returned tothe cove tofind that Fallon was gone and his first matehad departed with her—needless to say, he was going to find out why his orders hadn’t been adhered to.Because he didn’t need anyone around to witnessthe upcomingconfrontation,he’d sent his crew off for a brief shore leave.
“Do you want to tell me what thehell—”
Sean held up his hands. “As if a tempest could stop Fallon O’Malley when her mind is set.” He tilted his head to the side. “If you’d wanted her locked in her quarters, you should have told me that.”
Atticus narrowed his eyes. “Of course that’s not what I wanted. Shewasn’tmy prisoner.”
Sean shrugged. “Then why are you so angrythat she’s gone?”
He opened his mouth to make a firm retort, but then closed it again because nothing compelling was forthcoming. He searched his brain for some sort of plausible excuse and then said, “It’s dangerousand she was under my protection.I wasonlydoing my duty—”
“I was more than capable of seeing her safely to Father O’Leary.”Seanscratched his jaw. “In truth, I would probably drawlessattention than you seeing as how I’m Irish and you’re not.”
Atticus ground his jaw together. “I can adopt the language when it suits me. Or have you forgotten that I speakgaeilgebetter than you at times?”
“Aye, I won’t argue with that. However—” He held up his index finger to make a point. “When it comes to women, I think I’m better equipped.”
It took Atticus a moment to realize that Sean had walked past him and was heading for the ship. “And what exactly isthatsupposed to mean?”he demanded.
“Exactly what I said,” the burly man said evenly. “For someone who has had his share of liaisons in the past, you would think you would know more about the fairer sex.”
Atticus stopped and crossed his arms, glaring at his long-time friend. “If I didn’t know better, I wouldthink I’m being insulted.”
Seanshrugged.“Take it as you want, but the fact you’re keeping Fallon in the darkabout who you areis not helping your cause to win her heart.”
Atticus stiffened, for when it came topersonal mattersthat’s where he had to draw the line. “She was my passenger, not my wife.”
This time, he walked away from the Irishman, butit wasSeanwhorefused to let the matter lie. “So,you’re just going to let her go without any sort of explanation?Use her and discard her so you don’t have to admit that you love her?” He snorted with a sound of disgust. “If that’s the case, then perhaps you aren’t the man I thought you were.”
Atticus spun on him. “I warned you onceto leave matters alone. I won’t do it again.”
“If you need to punch me to knock some sense into yourownhead, then by all means.” He spread his arms wide and the challenging glint in his eyes was almost too much for Atticus to resist, but in the end, he was the one who relented.
Shoving a hand through his hair,Atticus dropped his shoulders andsaid quietly, “Iwilladmit that I care for Fallon a great deal.” He swallowed thickly. “But I can’t involve her inAtticus Clare’slife until I can figure out a way for the Raven tofinish what he’s started, and right now he’s needed more than ever. I should think you, of all people, wouldn’t disagree with that.”
“I agree that Ireland owes you a debt of gratitude,” Sean said. “But are you truly willing to give up everything for the cause? Even Fallon?”
Atticus found that he didn’t havea ready reply, so he let the silence speak forhim.
“I see.”Sean released a deep breath. “Father O’Leary told me that he has another donation for the Raven, so I will beheadingto Carraroeagainthis evening.”
As heheaded for the ship,Atticushad the overwhelming urge tosee Fallon.He glanced toward the directionof Carraroe, and then returned his attention back to theCrimson Rose.Clenching his jaw, he strode up thegangplank.
This fight wasn’t yet over and there was still so many Irish who depended on him.Besides,Fallon was back where she had longed to be. And while Sean imagined that Atticus didn’t want to be with her—the truth was, she no longer neededhim.
***
Fallon didn’t know what time it was when she woke, butother than the fire crackling cheerily in the grate,it was still dark.Her eyes were grainyfrom lack of sleep, but whileshe was warmand comfortable on Father O’Leary’s settee, sleep refused to return to claim her.
She shut her eyes tight and willed herself to fall back into her previous slumber, but the sound of a noise coming from the direction of the kitchen caused her eyes to pop back open in alarm. Sitting up, shesilentlygot up and searched for something she could use as a weapon, fearing it was an intruder.
She spied the fireplace poker, and holding the ironwith afirmgrasp, she tiptoed toward the closed door. But just as shereached out her hand to turn the knob, she overheard Father O’Leary’s voicetalking to someone. She recognized Sean’s deep baritone, butasshe lowered the poker, thinking nothing of his visit other than he might wish to check on herwelfare—although it was an oddhourto do so—she started to return to the settee.
However, whenshe heard the Raven’s name mentioned, shecouldn’tresist the urge tolinger. Putting her ear to the wood, she held her breath and concentrated on the hushedconversation taking place on the other side.
“Once again, the Brotherhood thanks you for your generous donation, Father. Rest assured, the Raven will put it to good use, as always.”
“If I had any doubt it wouldn’t be leaving this parish,” the priest returned. “Your captain has given the people something to celebrate that no monetary value can ever repay, but at least it will assist hisfutureendeavors.”
