“You knowexactlywhat I’m talking about!” she berated gently. “I’ve never seen Atticus Clare give anyone the same sort of attention that he gave to you. Why, he seemed positively smitten!You must have made quite an impression on him.”
Fallonwaved a hand, but had toswallow heavilybefore she couldspeak over the lump in her throat. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous, am I?” Eliza smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
***
Atticus glanced over his shoulder as he disappeared with Brendaninto a quiet, deserted section of the manor and slipped outside. Here the festivities were adiscreethum in the distance, and after one last scan behind them to make sure they hadn’t been followed, they walked over to a lone coach that was parked along the long line of carriages at ShawseaHall. At first glance it might appear that it was just another driver waiting on their recipients to leave the ball, but it was far from that.
He offered a curt nod to the driver,whowas one of the Raven’s crewmen, and climbed inside with his cohort. BrendanHayes was a trusted informant in Southampton, for his father was a member of the House ofCommonsand supplied Atticus with valuable information when it came to the English tactics regarding the rebellion in Ireland. Like Atticus, he was a fellowIrishsympathizer who wanted to make a differenceinendingthe poor andheavily taxed country from crumbling into ruin.And they both knew in order to do that, something had to change. He was also one of the few people, other than his crew, who knew that Atticus had adopted the secret identity of the Raven.
As Brendanshut the coach door securely shut behind them, Atticus faced his courier, Stewart Parnell. Sincethe younger manwas an Irish native, and yet, attendeduniversityin England, his presencetraveling back and forthbetween the two countrieswas generally ignoredwithout much incident.
“Your message said it was urgent that we meet tonight,” Atticus prompted.
The courier wasted no time in returning, “You wanted me to give you any information that I could find on Miss O’Malley.” He handed over a sealed packet. “But I feel confident that you won’t find anything amiss. Her grandfather was involved in the uprisinglast yearand was killed for his efforts, even though it was meant to appear as an accident, so no charges were ever filedagainst the murderers.”
Brendan turned to Atticus with a lifted brow. “You are investigatingEliza’s cousin?”
Atticus tucked the packet inside his jacket. “You know that I inspect every new Irish arrival to England, especially when they are this close to the Raven’s headquarters. We don’t know who could be a spy.”
Brendanlaughed. “Yes, but… Eliza’smousycousin?”
Atticusthought of the lady in question with her bountiful breasts on display and her trim waist and decided there had been nothing “mousy” about her appearance in the least.In truth, he had been quite intrigued by the change. But now he gritted his teeth and said,“Indeed. What better disguise than the least obvious?”
Finally, Brendan’s laughter died awayand he turned back to Stewart. “Surely this wasn’t why you wished to meet this evening.”
“No, it’s not. I fear there is a larger concern, but one that may involve Miss O’Malley after all.” Atticus’s focus was fixed on Parnell’s next words. “It appears that Locklyn Durmor has been a rather frequent visitor to the Hog’s Head Pub.”
Since they all knew it was a seedy tavern in the heart of Southampton, and considering the character of the man in question, Atticus nodded. “Go on.”
“It hasn’t been his presence there that has raised some concern, but rather who he’s been conversingwith. Apparently, he’s met with Francine Shaw there on occasion and while she appears to go to great lengths to hide her appearance with a cloak and choosing a dark corner in which to talk, you know the Raven’s crewmen are not that easily deceived.”
“Indeed, not,” Atticus murmured. He rubbed his bottom lip with his thumb in contemplation. “Keep me apprised of any new developments and notify me at onceif they meet again. Locklyn’s mother, Martina Durmor, and Francine carry quiteabit of weight in Southampton due to their widow stipends that have been put to good use in the growing industry trade. They could be formidable allies—or enemies, if we aren’t careful. As for Locklyn, I think we can all agree on what sort of miscreant he is.”
The other two men murmured their assent and since the meeting was concluded, Atticus and Brendan returned to the ball before their disappearance was overtly noted.
Chapter Five
The ballroom at Shawsea Hall was bustling with laughter and polite conversation, but it wasn’t long before the buzzing din went straight to Fallon’s head.She was quite sure that the entire population of Carraroewould have fitin this room, if not more.She wished thatshe could disappear for a time, just to catch her breath, and she was quite sure that her face wasfrozen in a permanent smile, her cheeks aching from the strain oftrying tobe thegenteel ladythat her auntexpected of her.
She was grateful for the lessons from the local village seamstress, for theyhad become a blessing,asshe had yet to make a misstepall evening. The problem wasthe lack of air in her lungs from the tightly laced corsetthatshewasn’t yet used to thathad causedspots to dancein front of her eyes during some of the more vigorous sets. Thankfully, her current partner understood her plight and went to fetch some refreshment,allowing hera moment’s reprieve.
Unfortunately,her relief was short livedfor she glanced up and saw Locklyn Durmorheading in her directionto claim her for the supper dance.
She barely withheld a groan, for meetinghimand his mother, Martina, had been the mostunwelcomepart ofher time in Southampton thusfar.Fallon had been introduced to them one afternoon when they had stopped by for an impromptu tea with Francine, just as Fallon had started to step out with Eliza to visit the tenants. She got the impression that Francine wanted them to cancel their plans, but since the carriage had already been laden down with various supplies, Fallon hadn’t offered to delay. She knew that some of the people were waiting on the different salves that she had made, while others had already run out, claiming that she had found some miraculous cure for their ailments.
The sad part of it all was that Fallon didn’t even knowwhyshe didn’t care for the gentleman, for it wasn’t as if Locklyn was unappealing.In truth, some might agree that he was rather handsome withhisaristocratic bearing,highcheekbones,and patrician nose.His dark blond hair and blue eyes werealsoa compelling combinationto hislean build.
Butthen, Fallon decided that maybe it was his leering expression that was just a bit too bold, along with his mother’s haughty disposition,that had caused Fallon to takean instant disliketo them both.Along with the constantglares she received from Francine, itwas enough to put herofftheir company for long, simplyknowing that they were friends.
Standing up with him for a quadrille,Locklyn then escorted her into the large dining room. Fallonspied Eliza seated further down the table chatting merrily toBrendanHayes.Her cousin had claimed that she had been trying to gain the man’s attention, butconsidering the way he regarded her withsuch abandon, Fallon guessed that the feeling wasmoremutualthan Eliza might have imagined. She certainly wouldn’t be surprised to hear that they were soon courting.
As Fallon continuedher perusal,shespied Atticus Clare. He was seated next to his parents and Brendan’s father, Mr. George Hayes, whom she had met earlier. They appeared to bequiteinvolvedwithan in-depth conversation. She noticed that a lock ofthe privateer’slong dark hairkept wantingto fall forward over his brow, as well asthe way his dark eyes crinkled at the corners when hegrinned. Even his mannerisms carried a certain allure, and although she’d warned herself that he was a dangerous man, she was still a woman. She would have to be blind not toseethat he was in fact, a very attractive man.
As if sensing her appraisal, those obsidian eyes lifted and looked directly at her.She quickly looked away, embarrassed to have been caught staring so blatantly.
“Miss O’Malley.”
