The Rapscallion's Romance, page 9
And that was all Fallon had heard. A noise had interrupted the conversation, so she’d scurried back to her room, fearful of getting caught eavesdropping. However, that mysterious exchange had stayed with her for years. She couldn’t imagine anyone but Eoin as her father, but it had sounded as if there was the slightest possibility…
Fallon shook her head, pushing aside the cobwebs of her past. Now was not the time to unravel the secrets about her mother. She must concentrate on the task at hand.
Digging deeper into the bottom of the trunk, her hand brushed something made of coarse wool. She withdrew the black sweater and the pair of trousers that her grandmother had made out of the sheep’s wool they had raised and what Fallon’s grandfather had used to toil in the gardens in the winter. Fallon raised the scratchy wool to her face and closed her eyes, picturing herself back at her grandmother’s feet. Abigail would hum an old Irish tune while her knitting needles went to work. Fallon wasn’t even sure why she had packed these items, except that it had been a memory of both of her grandparents that she hadn’t been willing to let them go.
But as she held up the items and inspected them with a critical eye, she realized it would be the perfect disguise for tonight.
Hiding the items in the back of her wardrobe where Ingrid wouldn’t venture to look, Fallon put the rest of the items back in the trunk and locked it, replacing the key back in her dresser. She glanced at the clock on her mantel and noticed that it was nearly five.
Seven more hours.
She blew out a heavy breath and prayed that she could plead her case convincingly enough for the Raven to listen, for he was quite literally the one man who just might be holding her fate in his very hands.
Dinner with her aunt, Locklyn, and his mother was a strained affair. Fallon spoke when asked a direct query and picked at her food. The leering glances she felt upon her skin enough to steal her appetite, but stress about her upcoming journey had every nerve ending stretched to the breaking point.
To say she was grateful when their guests finally took their leave would have been an understatement. And, of course, when they were gone, Francine eyed her critically. “You might have been a bit more gracious to Mr. Durmor if you have any hope of securing his regard.”
Fallon offered a weak smile and what she hoped was a plausible enough excuse. “You must forgive my reluctance to engage in much conversation this evening. I fear I have a headache coming on. I believe I shall retire early.”
Francine sniffed. “Perhaps if you hadn’t spent so much of your time in the library this afternoon, you might not have strained yourself to the point of rudeness.” She stood and swept past her. “I do, however, think it is wise of you to go to bed so that you will be well rested when Locklyn calls tomorrow.”
Fallon held back a retort as she inclined her head obediently and headed to her chamber. Once she was inside, she shut the door and released her first full breath of the evening.
She walked over to the table beside her bed and picked up the book she’d been perusing so thoroughly earlier. It was a detailed map of England that she’d found in the library. Considering her time was limited, and she wanted to make it back before the servants began to stir at dawn, she needed to ensure that she had found the quickest route. It wouldn’t do for anyone to question her absence if she were gone.
Hythe was a few miles from Southampton and although she had to go around the mouth of the River Test to get there, it shouldn’t take her more than an hour or so to arrive, especially since the roads had dried out somewhat from the recent rains.
To keep herself busy until the time came to leave, Fallon had also brought a novel to her room to continue the pretense of reading. Of course, there was no way that her mind would allow her to keep track of the story when her mind was awhirl with the thought of meeting the Raven.
Until now, she’d been a bit lonely with Eliza’s continued void when Fallon had been in desperate need of someone to confide her troubles in. And yet, the Raven was one subject that she wouldn’t ever be able to openly discuss with her cousin.
Naturally, she was happy for Eliza, for she had the feeling that it wouldn’t be long before Brendan offered for her hand. Since they had extended their stay in London, they must be having a marvelous time and she didn’t feel upset that Eliza was getting everything that she wanted. But at the same time, a pang of jealousy swept through Fallon when she thought of the light of adoration in her cousin’s eyes when she looked at Brendan. Fallon had yet to feel that sort of strong attachment to any man, even Atticus Clare. She was smart enough to ascertain that attraction wasn’t the same as all abiding love. At this point, she wondered if she would ever care for someone the way her cousin obviously did for Brendan Hayes.
She had been so lost to her thoughts that by the time the clock chimed eleven, she had to rush to don her dark apparel. Once she was changed, she headed for the balcony and stepped outside. A slight, grey mist shrouded the landscape and she paused, waiting to see if any sound of life could be heard before she carefully descended the trellis. But all was quiet throughout the house. Not even a random creak could be heard.
With her hair braided and pinned atop her head, she prayed that, along with her attire, that the combination would be enough to dissuade anyone from looking twice in her direction.
There was a bite to the night air, and the breath left her lungs in a delicate puffy cloud as she reached for the top rungs of the trellis. She huddled in her overlarge sweater and paused as her fingers clutched the wood.
She hesitated, for there was no going back after this. It was time to either retain her courage to see this meeting through to its completion, or remain in her room and hope that Father O’Leary was able to send her salvation in enough time to rescue her from a lifetime of misery with Locklyn Durmor.
She threw a leg over the balcony railing and began to climb to the ground.
Not even a breeze stirred as she rushed across the lawn to the stables. She cautiously glanced around her before she disappeared inside. Her fingers were quickly feeling the chill and she fumbled with the buckles of Samson’s reins, the black gelding she had decided upon for this evening’s excursion, before she finally picked up the straps. Honey tossed her head and gave a slight nicker of disapproval at being left behind, but once Fallon patted her velvety nose and whispered soft words of praise in her ear, she quieted.
Not a single lamp burned in the house as she walked Samson a short distance away, just far enough where she could ensure they wouldn’t be overheard. She had put a regular saddle onto Samson’s back, but there had been many times in Ireland when she had ridden bareback, so sitting astride was nothing new to her. It had actually taken her some time to grow accustomed to the side saddle that was expected of ladies.
She urged Samson into a gentle canter, and then a steady gallop once they were farther away from the manor. She looked back to see Shawsea Hall wreathed in continued darkness and a small start of triumph coursed through her, although she knew she had a long road to travel before she could claim victory just yet.
It didn’t take her long to realize that she had chosen her mount wisely. The gelding was young and strong and his hooves flew over the ground with a pounding intensity that was answered in her veins. Even the chill had receded to where she didn’t feel the cold anymore. Anticipation was keeping her warm as they drew steadily closer to their destination.
The moon overhead lit their way and time quickly receded until Fallon saw a few twinkling lights in the distance that proclaimed she had made it to the small town of Hythe. More of her earlier tension eased, for if everything went as smoothly as her journey here, she would have no problem making it back to Southampton undetected.
But nearly as those exact thoughts appeared, lightning flashed in the distance and the wind abruptly picked up. She suddenly feared she might not make it back to Shawsea Hall before the Heavens released their wrath upon her. She prayed that her meeting with the Raven wouldn’t take long and she could convince him of her loyalty, as well as her desire to return to Ireland.
Few people were out at this time of night and the ones that were paid her little heed as she trotted along the thoroughfare and headed for the port. It seemed the most logical place for a pirate to be, after all.
But as she pulled back on the reins near the docks, all was silent, other than the few vessels in various shapes and sizes that were buoying in the harbor. She glanced around and waited for some sort of sign that she was expected, for it had to be nearly midnight, but when nothing but the same eerie silence greeted her, she wondered if perhaps he had changed his mind.
With a frown, Fallon dismounted. Perhaps she would have better luck searching for someone on foot. Tying the gelding to a nearby post, she squared her shoulders and walked down the wooden planks of the dock. Her boots seemed loud upon the planks, although it matched the pounding in her chest.
She reached the end of the wooden planks and glanced around, but nothing had changed. Disheartened, Fallon turned—just as a set of heavy footsteps began to walk toward her. She strained her eyes, desperately searching the darkness for some sign of the stranger, but she couldn’t make out anything but the same sinister shadows that were doing their best to play tricks on her mind.
Fallon was about to call out when a cloud abruptly moved overhead, blocking out what little moonlight had been her guide.
As the footsteps stopped, the only sound that met her ears was the rippling water around her. Terror began to fill her chest. “Hello?”
She hated how weak her voice sounded, but she disliked it even more when she received no response. Surely if it was the Raven, wouldn’t he have said something in return?
The minutes ticked by and panic began to consume her, until at last, a large figure broke free of the mist and shadows and loomed directly before her.
Terrified for her life, she could feel the blood leave her face, but when she prepared to flee, a hand reached out for her. Her throat constricted, paralyzed with her fright. She couldn’t scream, her horror causing the harbor to start spinning. She fell, limp and lifeless to the wooden platform.
Chapter Nine
Atticus rose to his feet the moment Sean walked in the door carrying Fallon’s lax body in his arms. He had decided the best place for the “bandit” to meet with her was one of the safe houses the Raven used if he needed to lay low in England for a time. While the plan had been to blindfold her for her own safety, knocking her out hadn’t been what Atticus had in mind.
He quickly closed the distance between them. “What the devil did you do to her?” he snapped, his gaze instantly roaming over her pale, delicate face as he searched for any sign of discoloration that she’d been struck.
“Don’t give me that look,” Sean warned. “You should know that I have never hit a woman in my life. She fainted dead away when I tried to talk to her. I don’t think she heard a thing I said before she just… collapsed.”
Atticus sighed heavily and cursed under his breath. He hadn’t wanted Fallon to risk riding all the way here on her own, but it wasn’t as if Atticus Clare nor one of the Raven’s crew could have chaperoned her in case she was being followed.
He jerked his head in the direction of his bedchamber. “Put her in there.”
Sean did as he instructed, while Atticus awaited his return in the kitchen. Other than someplace he could cook a few meals and lay down his head for a brief rest, there wasn’t much else to recommend this hovel. However, it’s remote location at the edge of Hythe had served his purpose on more than one occasion.
After Sean rejoined Atticus, he glanced back into the bedroom. “Do you need me to stay?”
Atticus considered this, but before he answered, he gestured for his first mate to join him outside. It wouldn’t be wise if Fallon woke up and overheard their conversation. “I think it’s for the best if she doesn’t know you have any ties to me. That way her loyalty won’t have to be tested further should she be questioned by the authorities at some point.”
Sean inclined his head in agreement. “That’s probably wise,” he agreed.
Atticus crossed his arms and looked out across the River Test. It seemed that no matter where he was, he had to have the scent of the salty air close at hand. Not only was it familiar, but it was also calming, for the water was as much a part of him as his English heritage.
“What are you going to say when she awakes?” Sean asked quietly.
Atticus looked upward to where the lightning flashed. He exhaled heavily. “I’m not sure yet,” he said evenly. “But I’m sure it will come to me.”
“Indeed. After all, she took a great hazard in coming here,” his first mate pointed out.
He turned to face the large man with a narrowed gaze. “I realize that,” he snapped. “And rest assured, once she has met with the Raven she will be guarded closely, for many reasons.” He emphasized the last, ensuring that his longtime acquaintance knew where things stood.
Sean nodded. “I won’t be far.” With that, he disappeared into the shadows.
Once he was alone, Atticus turned his attention back to the heavens. A storm was definitely brewing. He just hoped that it wasn’t a precursor of things to come.
Clenching his jaw, he turned and walked back inside. Fallon would be waking up soon and he had to ensure he was there when the storm finally broke loose.
Fallon’s eyes opened slowly. She blinked several times to gain her bearings and then took a moment to inspect her surroundings. She appeared to be in a sparse room with a faint light coming from a single lantern near the foot of the bed. A frown instantly creased her brows, for the last thing she remembered, she had been walking along the Hythe docks.
And now…
With a gasp, she sat up and instantly regretted the motion as her head abruptly spun. She groaned lightly and put a hand to her temple in an effort to cease the shooting pain at her temples.
“Anseo, ól seo.”
Fallon’s head whipped to the side at the sound of the deep voice speaking in her native tongue. She spied the dark figure looming near her, although she hadn’t heard him approach. When he extended an arm holding a glass of water, she eyed it warily.
“I assure you it’s not poisoned, if that’s what you fear,” he continued to drawl in perfect gaeilge. “I have dealt with adversaries with far less grace, I assure you, and thus far you have given me no reason to distrust you. At least, not yet.”
Reaching out a trembling hand, Fallon took the glass, careful to ensure that their bare fingers didn’t touch as she did so. His arm fell back to his side and she regarded him over the rim of the tumbler as she took a long, cool drink.
He hadn’t moved from her side.
“Better?” he asked when she had finished.
“Yes, thank you.” She set it aside on a nearby table and then clasped her hands in her lap. Her gaze shifted back to him, yearning to see something through the void that continued to separate them. “So, you’re the Raven.”
Even though she hadn’t posed it as a question, he replied, “I am.”
For a moment, she merely studied him. Even cast in shadow, she could tell that his face was covered with a black leather half mask, his hair covered by a black, cocked hat that had gone out of fashion ever since the arrival of the top hat. However, since this man was a known bandit of the seas, it rather suited him. Wearing buff trousers and a white shirt that hung open and away from his frame, she could clearly see the muscular visage beneath, for he stood in front of the lantern, letting the light shine through the thin material.
While she had carefully rehearsed her speech, she couldn’t help but note. “You’re British, for you don’t have the inflection of a true, Irish accent.”
He hesitated, but then must have decided it wouldn’t matter if he offered that bit of truth. “Aye.”
“Why are you doing all of this?” she asked, not even realizing that she yearned for the answer as she waved a hand over his disguise. “What do you gain if Ireland wins their independence?”
He stiffened slightly and Fallon wondered if she’d overstepped. But as he moved into the light and she caught her first glimpse of those glittering eyes shining out through the slits of his mask, she understood why some people thought he had the heart of a demon. There was no doubt in her mind that he was an unrelenting force to be reckoned with, and could be ruthless and deadly if the need arose. But for some reason she couldn’t fathom, she wasn’t afraid.
“I have my reasons.”
When the silence stretched between them, he leaned against the wall and regarded her with an unrelenting stance. In turn, she didn’t like sitting here on this bed, vulnerable if he chose to pounce on her, but since this was where he was willing to talk, she would take what she was offered and be grateful. “I appreciate that you consented to see me. I realize how perilous it was for you.”
“I’m not the only one who took a risk this evening,” he pointed out.
She didn’t disagree. “True. But like you, I have my reasons for taking such a risk.”
His nostrils flared slightly as he crossed his arms. “And what is that?”
She moved her gaze to her lap, finding it difficult to meet his gaze when she sighed, “Freedom.”
“Is that why you threatened to turn me in to the authorities if Father O’Leary did not do your bidding?”
She had the grace to wince slightly. “I will apologize to him for that. I was merely afraid that if I didn’t try something… drastic, that I couldn’t get him to agree. I know he wants to encourage me to seek a better life with family.”
“And have you not? From what I understand, you are doing quite well.”
She didn’t care for his superior tone, but she wasn’t surprised that he’d checked up on her. “I’m little more than a prisoner in England. I left Carraroe to live with my aunt at her request. When I arrived, her reception was not as welcoming as I’d hoped, although my cousin was delightful. But things have… changed and it is not for the better.”
