Luc’s hand on her cheek kept her looking at him. “Six years is not so long to wait. And if you don’t want to wait, we can elope and seek our fortunes in America.”
She shook her head. “’Twould leave my family with no one to support them. Since Jamie died last winter, times have been hard.”
“Your brother was a fool to get involved in rebelling against the English. Why didn’t you tell me how bad things are?” Luc chided.
“You know how proud Da is. He’d not take charity from the church, let alone you.” She stepped back, their arms still linked, but with distance between them.
“Especially me. I’m sorry my father made a mistress of your da’s first love then let her die in childbirth when she tried to claim the child was the duke’s, I had no say in my father’s actions,” he protested.
My father married another woman, but he’ll never forgive Margis’ selfish cruelty. Da would never change. Still, Da blames Margris, and you’re his son.”
“And none of that matters. You must marry me,” Luc insisted.
Grainne shook her head again. “I cannot.”
His brow furrowed. “Is there someone else?”
She clutched her hands together, pressed her lips into a thin line, and gave one slow nod.
“Be damned!” Luc grasped her by the shoulders. “Who is he? I’ll kill him. Did he hurt you? Force you?”
“No!” She pushed him away. “No, Luc. Listen to me. No one forced me, or hurt me. No one makes me do this but myself.”
“Who?”
“Squire Comerford.”
“That pig,” Luc sneered. “He can’t lick enough English boots to satisfy his greed for money and power.”
“I know he is not the best of men. However, Da is horrible sick. We need that money and power. Maybe as his wife, I can soften some of the harsher influences the English force on us through him.” She was begging Luc to understand.
“You would sacrifice our love for ease and comfort?” His handsome face was wrought with pain.
Anger rushed to the fore. “How dare you accuse me of such.” Her hands fisted, and she stomped her foot. “I sacrifice nothing, save myself. I love you, now. I always will. You’ll carry my heart forever more. However, I must take care of my family. They gave me life. They gave me time, and the ability to know true love with you.” Her chin lifted. “I owe them, and ’tis time to pay my debt.”
“You break my heart, Grainne, and I give you every shattered piece , save the one I need to stay alive. Perhaps someday you’ll find a use for those pieces. Now I’ll say farewell. I’ll leave Ireland. You’ll not see me again.”
She wiped away her tears. “Then kiss me one more time for memory’s sake.”
“Aye for memory’s sake.”
Luc took her in his arms, caressed her cheek. “Don’t cry, my darling love. I understand, even though it costs me more than you can imagine.”
She pressed her lips to his and opened when his tongue touched the seam. She submerged herself in the sweet passion he offered. Too soon he stepped back, releasing her. He bowed, turned, then walked away. Grainne watched her heart disappear down the path around the hills that led to the grand house where he and his mother lived. Then she made her way home and told her parents to accept the squire’s proposal.
Grace woke and went immediately to work, completing chores and speaking with the land manager. However, an urgent demand for certainty pressed at her. She could not deny her need for answers. Information is power, she reminded herself. One thing she knew how to do better than any other was gather information.
By mid-morning, she sat beside the phone and placed a call. The connection required three operators, and a secretary. The voices on the other end came across tinny, faint and scratchy. “Hello, Professor Coolidge speaking.”
“Archie, it’s Grace.”
“Grace? Grace Thibodaux?”
“Yes.”
“How long has it been?”
Ten years, since I graduated.”
