He turned her around to face him. His expression was serious, but as handsome and alluring as ever. “I know it isn’t the news you were hoping for, but at least it’s the truth, and that’s what you were searching for, wasn’t it?”
She lifted a hand and placed it on her brow. “I suppose”—she gavea laugh that held no humor—“I honestly don’t know anymore. I wonder if ignorance had been preferable. As it stands, there’s an empty, gaping hole in my past and I don’t know how to go about repairing it.”
“You can’t,” he said bluntly. “Theonlything you can do is move forward.”
She searched his gaze. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“You won’t be.” He gave a half-hearted smile. “I didn’t really want to do this now, preferring some sort of grand gesture, but…” He took her hands in his and looked deeply into her eyes so that she could see the adoration shining through. “You asked ifImeant it when I said I intended to marry you and the answer is yes. From the first moment we met, I knew you would change me into a better man. I just never thought that you would change me irrevocably. I have become hopelessly and head over heels in love with you and I would like nothing more if you would consent to be my wife. You may not ever know your true parentage, but you can be sure that our children will know theirs.”
Tears trickled down Fallon’s cheeks, but she couldn’t seem to stop the flow. “That was rather eloquent, Mr. Clare.”
He lifted a brow. “Does that mean yes?”
She nodded firmly and sobbed even harder. “I would be a fool to say otherwise when I love you so much that it tears me up inside to imagine my life without you in it.”
“Then it seems, Miss O’Malley, that we are engaged.” Hetouched the tip of her nose and then turned his head to address Father O’Leary. “It would be an honor if you could extend your visit long enough for you to perform our marriage ceremony.”
He inclined his head.“Of course, Mr. Clare.”
“I’ll be your maid of honor!” Eliza chirped in happily from beside the priest.
Atticus looked at Fallon. “It appears it’s all settled.” He lifted a brow. “As long as you don’t mind living in England.”
She wound her arms around his neck and proclaimed, “Anywhere isheaven, so long aswearetogether.”But then she paused. Worrying her lower lip, she asked, “What about your parents? What if they don’t accept me—?”
He interrupted her with a stern tone, “First of all, our union will not be anyone’s business but our own.Even if my family didn’t approve, I can promise you thatI make a goodwage on my own. I don’t have torely on my father’s money, like other men in theton, nor do I have to worry about inheriting a title someday. Butyou have nothing to worry about in that regard for my father himself offered us his best wishes.”
“He did?”
“Indeed.” With his eyes shimmering with promise and perhaps something a bit more, he nibbled at her lower lip. “Now kiss me properly.”
Fallon was all too happy to comply.
***
Two weeks later, amid a flurry of well wishes and cheers from a rowdy band of revelers, FallonO’Malleybecame Mrs. Atticus Clare.
Eliza had whisked her away to London for a week of dress fittings and made sure that she had a proper trousseau for the occasion. Atticus’s mother had joined them and she was eager to introduce Fallon to all of the women of society she was acquainted with. Thus, even though Atticus had arranged to procure a special license, he was forced to wait an additional week to see his bride, for Fallon was inundated with invitations to afternoon teas with matrons eager to make her acquaintance.
Since Onelia was the reason for the delay, Atticus was forced to wait until the carriage had finally returned to Clare Manor, where the wedding wouldofficiallytake place.
But instead of a quiet, intimate ceremony that the couple had expected, numerous carriages lined the drive and it wasn’t long before the front parlor was buzzing with activity, filled to the brim in preparation for the grand event.
Fallon was in her temporary bedchamber with Eliza and her maid while they added the finishing touches on her ivory, satin gown, when there was a knock at the door.
Wade Clare entered the room and beamed with pride when he spied Fallon. “Are you ready, my dear?”
Without a male relative there to give her away, her future father-in-law had offered to do the honors.
Fallon walked forward and accepted the arm that was offered to her.
Later, after the vows were completed, Fallon stood next to her husband and thought of how far she had come. From an Irish orphan who’d lost everything in the famine, to a tumultuous upbringing in rebellious Ireland, to even further turmoil in England, when she looked back on it all, she realized it was all in preparation for this moment. Ironically enough, everything had led to love with a former bandit, but she wouldn’t have had it any other way for she could say she was truly happy. While she might never uncover the mystery of her mother’s past, or who her father truly was, at least she could live content knowing that herownchildren would be settled.
“Mind if I stealthe brideaway for a moment?”
Fallon’s eyes widened in delight when she turned and spied Mrs. Hinks.
Atticusrolled hiseyesdramatically, but relinquishedhishold on herwith a grin. “I suppose if you must.”
