Patrick.” He raised his arm in a broad gesture of welcome. “Come, the three of you, shall we go inside?”
Lord Thomas demurred, saying he was anxious to see his father.
“Of course, Thomas. Your father still suffers from the gout and will indeed be happy to see you. Also, Montague is home. I know you’ll be anxious to see him, too. But come to dinner tonight, won’t you? You, Penelope, and Montague.” When Thomas nodded affirmatively, Lord Trevlyn placed an arm around Patrick’s shoulders. “My brother and his family are out visiting this afternoon, but you’ll meet them soon enough. Now come inside and I shall show you your new home.”
“Evleen, I think I’m going to like it here,” Patrick called over his shoulder as he was led away.
Lord Thomas spoke up. “Miss O’Fallon will be right along, sir. I want to tell her goodbye.”
They were alone, still standing beside the coach. One of the horses pawed the ground and whinnied softly as Lord Thomas took both her hands in his and gazed down on her fondly. “So it’s goodbye.”
“But won’t I see you at dinner tonight?”
“You will, but by then we’ll be two different people.” He smiled ruefully. “We shared the intimacy of a journey, you and I. God knows, it wasn’t all fun, but still, we did what we pleased and had many a laugh, didn’t we? But it’s over now. Tonight we return to society’s rules. I shall be Lord Thomas, all bows and elegant manners. You will be Miss O’Fallon, dipping curtseys and fluttering your fan.”
“I don’t own a fan.”
“Ah, but you will.” He stepped closer and looked deep into her eyes. “I have never enjoyed a journey as much as this one.”
“I, too... well, except for crossing the Irish Sea. That I could have done without.”
“I thought you were magnificent. You never complained.”
He stepped even closer, and there it was again, that mystic force between them that caused her heart to race. “I try never to complain,” she said, shrugging and trying to look as if she didn’t notice how close he was standing when all the time she felt overwhelmed by his presence and hardly knew where to look. He was right about the intimacy of their journey. They had formed a close bond, laughing together, sharing a parents’ kind of joy over Patrick and his antics and bright remarks. They shared the grueling voyage over the Irish Sea when Thomas did all he could to ease her suffering, not too proud to hold her in his arms, comfort her, assure her she shouldn’t be embarrassed. Now, a feeling of emptiness swept over her. In all the excitement, she had not fully realized until this very moment that from now on their relationship could never be the same. Of course, it was obvious she would see him again, but how different would be the circumstances.
“I shall never forget your kindness to Patrick and me.”
A long silence followed. They seemed locked in each other’s gaze. He looked as if he was about to speak, as if he was on the brink of saying forbidden things he shouldn’t say. That would be wrong, though. Anything between them would be wrong. Never love an Englishman. That was mama’s good advice which she most assuredly must heed. Breaking the spellbinding moment, she stepped away. “I like Lord Trevlyn already,” she said, striving to sound casual. “Now that we’re here, I’m sure all will be well.”
A shadow of doubt crossed his face before he said, “I hope it will.” Fondly he touched his finger to her cheek. “But be careful.” One corner of his mouth quirked into a half smile. “Never forget you’re descended from the kings of Ireland.” Before she could answer, he pulled her close and kissed her, only a brief kiss, but it was full on her lips and she’d heard the intake of his breath as, afterward, he quickly thrust her away.
“Goodbye and good fortune,” he called and was in the coach, signaling to the coachman, and then gone.
* * *
When Pierce, the dignified, white-haired butler, showed Evleen to her bedchamber, she was astounded at its size and opulence. Beside her, Patrick exclaimed, “All of this room just for the two of us?”
Pierce concealed a smile. “No, Master Patrick, this is Miss Evleen’s. Your bedchamber is right next door.”
Evleen could not believe it. After Pierce left, Patrick eagerly trailing behind, she wandered about the spacious bedchamber, admiring the plush Administer rug, the fine, damask draperies. She