Fallon couldn’t see the late-night visitor, but he wasbreathing heavilyas if he’d run a great distance, and yet,hiswords burst forth. “They caught him. The Raven!He’s in custody right nowon his way to Dublin.”
Fallon wavered on her feet and had to hold on to the newel post for support. Even then, it was all she could do not to collapse.
Atticus…
If they’dtrulycaught him,hewouldn’t have a trial, but go straight to the hangmanfor his crimesagainst the Crown.
The rest of the conversation Mrs. Hinks had with the visitor faded into oblivion, as Fallon considered a future without Atticus Clare in itandfinding it impossible to do so. She was… incomplete without him, because she’d done the unthinkable and fallen in love.
All this time she’dimaginedthatIrelandwould hold all the answersto her happiness, but when she’d fled from Atticus, she realizedthat the most important thing she’d ever had wasin front of her all along. From the first time those dark eyes had warmed on her face and he’d offered her that heart stopping grin, she had been lost.For months,she had fought against her attraction to him, not knowing that he and the Raven were one in the same. Whenshehadbelievedthebandithad abandoned her to her fatewith Locklyn, the truth wasthat Atticuswas there all along, safeguarding her from a distance like some seductive,guardian angel.
Although she still didn’t know how Atticus felt about Josephine, for a man who had made such passionate love toher, surely he had toat leastcare? In spite of her anger and hurt, could she truly just turn her back on him and leave him to his fate?
Tears filledFallon’svision as Mrs. Hinks shut the door, bringing Fallon out of hertrance.She put a hand over her chest, the breath leaving her lungs in a rush asshe hurried forward. She clutched Suzanne’s arm.“Did he sayif they’vemade it out of the village yet?”
Suzanne looked at her quizzically. “I don’t believe so.It sounded as if theyjustleft—” Fallon didn’t wait to hear anything else, but raced out the door.
“Wait!Yourshoes…!”
Fallonleft Mrs. Hinks’ panicked voice behindas she ran down the street. Her feet might become shreddedon the hard cobblestoneswithout anything to protect them, but she didn’t care. It would be a minor pain compared to what would happen to her heart—her verysoul—should Atticus no longer walk this earth. She didn’tevenknow what she intended to doonce she reached the soldiers other than plead on his behalf, but shecould notstand idly by and let him be taken to prisonwithout tryingto do something to save him.
The gaslightburningin the village was startingto dim as she reached the edge of town. Shehastilyturned the corner of a buildingin shadow—andimmediately came up against a hard chest.
She was stunned for a moment, although a masculine hand reached out to steadyher.“Whoa, there, miss,” he chuckled. “Where are you off to in such a hurryat this hour?”
Fallon’s headshotupin surprise, herlonghairfalling away from her face. Shefrozeat the exactmoment the soldierrecognized her. Of all the men sheshould encounternow, it would be the one she’d attacked inCarraroe.
Shequickly recoveredand attempted to flee, but it was too late.
His fingers bit into her fleshas he tightened his grip. “Well, now.” His voice was smooth, practically dripping with smug sarcasm. “If this isn’t fortuitous.”
Fallon said nothing, just kept her jaw clenched and her chin at a mutinous angle.
“Nothing to say?” he purred mockingly. “Surely you remember me. I know you’ve led me on a merry chase for the past few days, but that has come to an end.”
He started to drag her alongbehind him, but she dug in her heelsand began to struggle. “I’m not going anywhere withyou!”
He put his face up right next to hers,andshe could smell his unsavory breath and the sweat and body odor coating his skin, the scent strong even underneath that detestable uniform he wore. “We’ll see about that.”He started to bend down and grabher behindthelegs and heft her over the top of his shoulder, but an ominous voice spoke up behind her.
“If you are wise, you will release the lady.”
The soldier straightened, but didn’t release his hold on Fallon, merely turned andslowlyfaced the speaker.
AsFallon’s gazepivoted andlanded on Atticus,her heart began to pound in her chest with a mixture of elation and disbelief, for he couldn’t be real, standing in front of her in a pair of black trousers, boots and a russet shirt that revealed an appealing amount of that strong chest.He looked so magnificent with hisblackhairhanging around his shouldersanda day’s shadow of stubble covering his strong jawthat she no longer doubted he was the fearsome bandit that had caused England to quiver under the name, Raven. Hispiercing, onyxeyeswerestormy and direct as they stared upon her captor, butshe could have wept, forhe washereand not on his way to a Dublin prison. She didn’t know how he’d managed todo it, but it didn’t matter, just so long as hewasfree.
“Mr. Clare,” the soldier said evenly. “I wasn’t aware you were acquainted with this miscreant.” He gave her arm a shake for good measure, as if to emphasize his words and by the way Atticus’s eyes flashed dangerously, shewondered if he mightactuallybecontemplatingsome sort of malicious intent.
“Indeed, I am.” Those mesmerizing eyes shifted to her for a brief moment. “I plan to marry her if she will have me.”
Fallonyearned to run into his arms, butshewasn’t abletoembracethe moment forlong, asthe soldier let loose a loud guffaw. “Is that so?And hereI thought you had more taste than to fall for an Irish whorewho enjoys challenging the authority of a Royal soldier who is loyal to the Crown.”He tilted his head to the side. “If you want me to let her go, it makesme wonder who the real traitor is in this situation.”
Atticus took a threatening step forwardand completely ignored the accusation. “I’m not asking again.”
“Or what?”thesoldiersnorted. “You’llshootme?”
“Of course not,” Atticus returned smoothly. “A gun would draw too much attention.”His focus shifted to the side.
The soldier turned his head, but it was too late.Sean was primed and ready where he’d snuck upfrombehind, and he shoved the sword through thesoldier’s midsection. Fallon was abruptly released asthe sharp, gleaming point protrudedthrough his stomach on the other side. He made a terrifying gurgling noise, his eyes wide in shock ashe fell to his knees.
