resignedly back in her chair and addressed Thomas again. “So begin, sir.”
At least she’ll listen to me, thought Thomas with some relief, although he still didn’t hold out much hope. “To begin with, Patrick will have everything—wealth, position, power.”
Evleen sniffed disdainfully. “Jonathan Swift said, ‘Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.’”
Blast the girl. At least she was literate. “Well, then, if you are against Patrick going to England alone, then Lord Trevlyn invites you and your entire family to come to England. He will see that you are more than amply compensated for this major adjustment in your life and will provide a home of your own choosing, as well as an ample income to last the rest of your life. Your new home would be close to your son, of course. Or, if you prefer, you are welcome to come live with Lord Trevlyn at his home—”
Sinead burst into laughter. “My, my, he must be desperate. But no, that’s going too far. I could never go to England.” She eyed Thomas intently. “What else?”
“Then...” Thomas flicked a quick gaze at Evleen before he continued, “If you are concerned about Patrick going to England alone, Lord Trevlyn has suggested one of your daughters could accompany him.”
“And how would she be treated?” asked Sinead. “For all I know, Lord Trevlyn would make a servant of her, force her to share a cold, tiny room in the attic with a scullery maid.”
Lord Thomas drew in a patient breath. “If you would allow it, the daughter, whichever one you chose, would be accorded every consideration, every luxury. She would have a Season, as well as clothes, jewels, and, as Lord Trevlyn put it, ‘baubles to her heart’s content’.”
“Baubles,” Sinead repeated, voice oozing with contempt. “You ask a true daughter of Ireland to trade her beloved land for baubles?
Blast. Thomas had known this would be difficult, but nothing like this. It was obvious that despite her illness, Sinead was still a willful woman, tenacious in her beliefs. He would treat her as such and lay down the hard facts. He’d not patronize her because of her present condition.
“From what I understand, aside from your two adult daughters, you have a girl of fifteen, one of fourteen, and then Patrick, of course, who is ten.”
“That is correct, sir.”
“May I be brutally frank?”
“By all means.”
“I do not pretend to know your finances, but I would surmise, since you’re not in good health, these are difficult times for you.” At Sinead’s bare nod, Thomas proceeded. “Then think, madam, of what forty pounds a year would do. Fifty. I am sure Lord Trevlyn would be happy to raise the amount.
“And in return I lose my son.”
“You don’t lose him. England isn’t that far away. Of course you will see him from time to time and–”
“I’ll lose him,” came Sinead’s anguished cry. “He’ll turn into a bloody Englishman.”
Thomas could almost smile at the unexpected use of such a forbidden word coming from a lady—and Sinead O’Fallon was a lady, despite her poverty. “I assure you, Patrick will never forget his Irish heritage. Take my word, Lord Trevlyn is a reasonable man with great sensitivity. He’ll not turn Patrick into an Englishman, not ever. To make doubly sure, I would make him aware of your feelings.”
“Would you?” Sinead sat thinking so long that Evleen, who had been listening with obvious growing concern, now spoke up.
“Mama, you’re not seriously entertaining the thought of relenting, are you?”
“I’m old and I’m sick,” Sinead answered. “Until this moment I never considered letting Patrick go, but the future of all you children is at stake. Lord Thomas has helped me see that perhaps, considering the wretched state of my health... I hate even to think it, but perhaps sending Patrick to England would be the right choice after all.”
Evleen was flabbergasted. “You’re not thinking of going to England?”
“Of course not. I shall never leave Ireland.” In deep thought, Sinead bit her lip and pondered. “Evleen, would you go with Patrick if I asked you to?”
Before Evleen could answer, Darragh, her face reddening, spoke up. “Why does it have to be Evleen? I’ll go, Mama, I would love to go.”
Thomas watched as Evleen’s heavy lashes flew up in surprise, followed by a mixture of confusion, bewilderment, and downright astonishment spreading across her face. “I can’t believe this, Mama. That you would even consider—”