“Indeed.”Aheavy sigh. “How is she?”
“I’m concerned,” the priestadmitted.“Fallonhasn’t yet confidedherrealtroubles, but I know something has happenedto cause her great distress.”
“I fear the Raven might have something to do with that.”
“Ithoughtthat might be the case,” Father O’Leary said with a touch of melancholy. “Our personal liberator has a rather lethal charm.Iwas afraid Fallon might find herself infatuated if she was around him for any length of time. It pains me to think she’llget hurtwhen she learns thetruth, and she willfigure it out eventually. Butby then itwillbe too latefor both of them.”
Sean’s reply wasjust as forlorn.“Aye.She may never forgive him.Itold himhe’s making a mistake,but what am I to do?I’m loyal to the Raven, butIalsocare about Fallon.It’s just too bad Atticus Clare has to be such a stubborn Englishman!”
The floor instantly fell out from under Fallon’s feet.Shock keptherimmobile, but when her legsfinallyobeyedher command to move, shestumbled backward andsat down hardinto a nearby chair. She clutched the arms on either side, her heart pounding as though she’d run a great distance. She squeezed her eyes shut tight as the blood poundedin her ears.
Surely she had it all wrong and what Sean said wasn’t true!Sheprayedit was so, but as the pieces that had long lingered in the back of her mind slid together and started tofallinto place, her breathing becameeven more erratic.
All of the similarities that she thought she’d seen between the Raven and Atticus—the intense dark eyes and husky voicethat she hadn’t wanted to believe were the same—had always been there,she’d justrefusedtoproperlyacknowledgethem.She might havebeen unwilling to believe itbefore, she couldn’t ignore what she’d just heard.
Her facesuddenlyflamedwhenshe recalledwhat had transpiredon the Raven’s shipjust a few hours ago. What she’d beendoingwith the Raven—with Atticus Clare!
Shestoodup, no longerunder the assumption thatshe might get any more sleep this night. All she could seenowwasthat blastedpirateon boardhisship having aglass of port,as well as agrand laugh at her expense. He wasprobablysneering at her naivety, about what a grand lovesick fool she’d been—right before he sailed back to England and straight into Josephine’s adoring arms.
It was no wonderhehadn’t botheredwith any flowery words orlovingdeclarations, and why he had been so reluctant to reveal himself.She was nothing more than a conquestto him, and she had gratefully handedeverythingto him—andithadn’tjustbeenher innocence, buther heart as well.
She covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
Dear God. She was going to be sick.
Gulping down the bile that wanted to rise in the back of her throat, along with the bitter taste of acidic tears,sherealizedthat he wasn’t any better than Locklyn. Hehad used heras a pawnfor his own gain. The difference was that she had fallen prey to his charms. She had practically begged him to make love to her, but it was a mistakethat wouldn’t happenagain.
She clenched her fists at her sides and returned to the settee where she sat staring at the hearth.It was going to be a long night, but when the sun came up tomorrow, she was going to her grandmother’s cottage where she could forget abouthorriblemen like Atticus Clare. Even if something told herit mightbe a long timebefore he would be erased from her mind.
***
Fallon picked at her breakfast the next morning. Even though Father O’Leary was doing what he could to make her feel comfortable and welcome,all she could think about was the fact hehad lied to her too. Or at least, withheld the truth.While she would alwayscare forhim, her heart was bruised in spite of his deceitand she was resentful because of it.
Surelyhedidn’toweall ofhis loyalty to the Raven, when he had known her all of her life?
“Is somethingwrong with the eggs?”
Fallon glanced up to seeFather O’Leary’s face wreathedinconcern. She set down her fork and forced herself toremain strong. “I’ve decided to leave.”
His expression was one of surprise. “Leave? ButI thoughtweagreed it was bestthat youstay here for a while. At least,until the rebellion settled down.It may not be safe for a young woman on her own.”
“I can manage,” she said firmly. “Besides, Ican’t, inallgood conscience, prevail upon your hospitalityforever.My grandmother would have expected me tofind my own way.” It sounded like a good enough excuse, and most of it was true.It would be difficult for atime, but she was resilient.
But more importantly,she was Irish.
The priestlowered his head. “I can’t force you to stay, of course, but I wish you would reconsider.”
“I need to do this.”She reached out and gave him an impulsive hug, unable to keep from doing so.Still dressed in the crewman’s clothes,shepulled back andsaid, “I could usethe loan ofahorse.”
“Of course. Keep himas long as you need to. That cottage is some distance from the village.” He led her outside to the stables where a graygeldingwas happily munching on some hay. Sheinstantly thoughtof Honey back in England and hoped that the stableboy had kept his promise to see her returned to Shawsea Hall.
She attempted a smileas she saddled the horse and took hold of the reins. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worryabout me.I’m an O’Malley.”
The sun was shining brightly assheled thegeldingout of the enclosure and climbed onto hisback.After one last wave at the priest, she told herself not to fall apart until she was alone where she could cry out her personal sorrows on her own.
She took off down the dirt roadthatledto the cliffs near the edge of the sea, and allowed her mind to wander as she left the heart of Carraroein the distance.As she drew closertoher former home, the salty air teased her nostrils and she knew she was nearly home.
But before shereached the cottage, she found herself veering off the road and heading toward a small,gated cemetery. Shepaused anddismounted, tyingup thegeldingbefore she opened thegate. It gave a creak of protest, proving that the rust was already settling in from disuse.
