They entered Erina’s room. “Your Mr.Feather is a good man.” Cathleen perched on her bed. “Why did hebring you to Ireland? Didn’t your father object?”
As a flush crept across her cheeks,Erina picked up some garments thrown onto a chair. She opened adrawer and tucked her folded chemise inside. “I haven’t beenentirely truthful with my father.”
Cathleen’s eyebrows rose. “You didn’ttell him?”
“Papa will understand whenhe hears how I wished to help you,” Erina said in a rush, wishingshe was sure of it.
Doubt rumpled Cathleen’s paleforehead. “He probably expects you and Mr. Feather to wed. Are youabout to become engaged?”
“No. He’s merely afriend.”
“A friend?” Cathleenlaughed, more light-hearted than Erina had seen her. With hersparkling green eyes, she looked very pretty. “He’s in love withyou.”
Erina was quite sure he wasn’t. “Harrymade it perfectly clear when our fathers tried to arrange ourmarriage, that he has no wish to marry me. And why would he? I’msuch a long meg, and Father says I have a temper.”
“You’re lovely, Erina. AndMr. Feather wants you. Why else would he be here?”
That license. She must broach thesubject with Harry. “Because I talked him into coming.”
Cathleen grinned. “I don’t doubt yourpowers of persuasion, but he doesn’t seem the sort to be easilyswayed, unless he wished to be. He’s quite imposing.” She giggled.“How skillful he was dealing with Douglas Gormley! I laugh wheneverI think about it.”
“Yes, that was a surprise.”Erina had found Harry besting Gormley quite thrilling herself. “ButI don’t want him to feel he has to marry me because I’ve got myselfinto a pickle. And that’s what I fear, Cathleen.”
“Then you’ll have to askhim. The question is, Erina. Do you have feelings forhim?”
Erina sank down on the bed. “When Ithought he would die, I couldn’t bear it.” She drew in a shudderingbreath. “To have brought him all this way and see him cutdown…”
“But does he make yourheart pound? When I’m near Clan Leahy, I quite lose m’breath.”
“Clan Leahy?”
Cathleen placed her hands on hercheeks. “Clan left Naas when he heard Gormley and I were to marry.I didn’t have a chance to explain. And what good would it have doneif I had?”
“Then we must find thisClan Leahy. Where might he be now?”
“He has family in Limerick.Said he would never come back to Naas. He won’t either.” A wistfulexpression entered her eyes. “A man of his word is ClanLeahy.”
“How far is Limerick fromhere?”
“Aww, tis a longway.”
“Can you send him aletter?”
“I could. Should I bewriting though? He was terribly angry.”
“I’m sure he won’t be ifyou explain the whole affair.”
“Aye. Then I will. But I’dlike to go home tomorrow, Erina. I’m worried about m’ animals.Unless you’d prefer I stayed to keep you company?”
Erina hugged her. “No, you must go andsee to your animals. I pray you hear good news from Mr.Leahy.”
Cathleen shrugged. “What will be willbe.”
Her cousin seemed so calm, sopractical. A little envious, Erina wished she could be more likeher.
“As Gormley cannot producea deed of sale, I’ve got m’ home back, thanks to you and Mr.Feather. Write and tell me how he fares. I hope the dear man is onhis feet very soon.”
“I will write often,” Erinapromised.
