Fallon nodded, understanding entirely too much. “My parents died in the famine, so I went to live with my grandparents inCarraroe.I just wishnow…” Her words faded asshe wasn’t sure how much of her past to reveal.
Mrs. Hinks must have noted her reticence, for she said gently, “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but I’ve found that sometimes it helps to get things out into the open.”
Fallon glanced into the liquid in her cup and frowned. “I guess the problem is that I really don’t know how to put my troubles into words that would make much sense.”
Theladylifted a brow. “Oh, you might be surprised what these ears have heard over the years. If you’re worried about judgment, I promise that I have always left that up to the good lord above.” She pointed toward the ceiling, as if to add credence to her statement.
With a deep breath,Fallonrealized that she had desperately been wanting someone to talk to and since this woman was making such a kind offer… “Earlier this year I was contacted by my aunt, my mother’s sister, to come live with her in Southampton. Since all of the family I had known were gone, I decided to leave Ireland and make a fresh start.” She winced. “Butit wasn’tthe warm welcome I had been hoping for. The lady who took me in wasn’t even myrealaunt, but someone who was merelypretendingto be my relation for the sake ofaclose friend. I havegoodreason to believesheis mykin, butshe holds such horrible hatred toward my mother for running away with her husband that she had planned to take out her revenge through me.”
“Oh, how awful.” Mrs. Hinks shook her head. “Forgiveness is obviously not in her nature. She must truly be rather despicable to want to wish you ill when you are innocent of any wrongdoing.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not the worst of it.” Fallon explained about her engagement to Locklyn and the fact that her father might not even be her true sire.
“That is quite a conundrum you’ve had to face all on your own,” Mrs. Hinks murmured.
“I wasn’t alone.” The words burst from her before she could hold them back. Her cheeks warmed slightly and her hostess smiled knowingly.
“Oh, I see. You have a beauthat cares for you.”
Fallon couldn’t stretch the truth that far. “I might have entertained the notion, but I’m afraid his path has turned in a different direction than mine.”
“Young love is the hardest of all,” the lady said soothingly. “All I can say is that it’s his loss. You are a lovely woman. And Irish, even if you believe you don’t hold the blood, you embrace the spirit and the same determination.” She winked. “There’s nothing much better than that.”
Unwittingly, Fallon felt a bubble of laughter erupt out of her chest. “Indeed.”
After a shared chuckle, Mrs. Hinks said, “Do you mind telling me the name of yourmother? Lots ofwomenhave come and gone through my door. Perhaps I might beof some assistance in helpingyou solve thismystery.”
Fallon wasn’t going to hold out hope that such a thing could be possible, but she couldn’t discount thehopeeither. “She went by the name Moira Burleigh before she married my fatherEoinO’Malley. ButI believe thatshe was born Mary Reading.”
For a moment, the lady was silent, as if going through the catalog of visitors to her boarding house. In the end, she shook her head. “I have to say the name doesn’t sound familiar, but I’ll ask around.I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right.” Fallon tamped down the bitter taste of regret. She had known it would be a stretch to learn Mrs. Hinks had knowledge of hermother. “I may never know the truth and I have to content myself with that.”
“Spoken like amaturelady.” Mrs. Hinks rose from her chair. “I don’t like to give up good company, but it’s getting late and it’s time I put thesewearybones to rest. Feel free to peruse the shelves for a bookto read, if you wish. I know that always helped me sleep when my mind was restless.”
Fallon smiled as the lady left, grateful that she had a safe and welcoming place to stay until she could write to Eliza and make arrangements. In the morning she would make sure to do just that, for shedidn’t wish toimpose on Mrs. Hinks hospitality forever.
Fallon leaned her head back against the chair andstared at the stark, white ceiling. She closed her eyes and was suddenly overwhelmed with a tidal wave of emotion. Notonlywere her thoughts consumed with Atticus once again, but the secrets of her mother’s past had returned with a vengeance. She tried to act as though she hadn’t been disappointed when Mrs. Hinks didn’t have any information for her, but the truth was, she was devastated. She yearned to know that her mother wasn’t a completely terrible person, and that she had lovedEoinO’Malley,who washer true father. It would certainly make her own mistakes a bit easier to bear if she couldfind a way toforgive her mother’s transgressions, or at least understand why she acted as she had.
Rising, Fallon headed for her bedchamber and changed into herborrowednightclothes. Slipping under the covers, she willed herself to close her eyes, but she had the feeling sleep would not come that easily.
***
Locklyn sputtered and coughed as he inhaled the salty, sea waterAtticusthrewin his face. Hishairwasstill dripping, his face twisted into a snarl as heglared at Atticus in pure hatred.He attempted to lunge forward, but the bounds around his wristskept him from going far.“You bastard!Release me at once!”
Atticussat in a chair facing his nemesis andcalmly adjusted the cuffsof his shirt. It was just the two of them in the debris littered interiorof an abandoned house he’d used several times to escapedetectionas the Raven whenhe wasin Galway, and healsoknew it would betheperfectplacefor this interrogation.
Starlight shonethrough gaps in thethatchedroofand other than a single lantern burning on the counter behind Atticus, it was thesolitarylight in the dwelling.After Atticus had taken an unconscious Locklyn away from the pub, the rest ofhiscrew hadleftto carry out the rest ofhisplan,other than Andrew, in case further muscle was required to keep Locklyn in place.But Atticus wasn’t overly worried about that. If he needed to be further subdued, he would be glad to deliver his own blow.
Atticus settled in his chair and said evenly,“You’re not going anywhere until I get some answers.”
Locklyn laughed richly, and then winced when his jawobviouslysmarted from the left hook he’d received. “Go to hell. I don’t have to tell youanything.”He spat at the floor near Atticus’s feet.
Heignored the slight. “Wereyou that upsetto learnyour fiancé ran away, rather than risk marrying you?”
“She’ll learn she made a mistakesoon enough,” he snapped.
Atticus stilled. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that,” he murmured.
