eyebrow. “Is that right? Then perhaps you and I should talk.”
“You promised you wouldn’t.”
“I promised I would do nothing to dissuade you from returning to your home.” He glanced out the window. “It would appear this coach is indeed heading west toward Ireland, just as you wished.”
She took pains to conceal her rising curiosity. “Then say what you have to say.”
“This is not the time nor the place.” He replaced his mocking smile with a gentle one. “When it is, I shall let you know.”
* * *
They crossed the Irish Sea on a ship called The Union, which pitched and rolled as much, if not more, than The Countess of Liverpool. Evleen found herself hard-put to maintain her aloof attitude with Lord Thomas, especially when she was sick again, and he, all kindness and concern, was there to comfort her every mile of the way.
Back on land, Thomas hired a carriage in Dublin which he drove himself. They were nearly half-way across Ireland, near Athlone, when he made an unexpected turn and started down a familiar road.
“Are we going to Conclonomaise?” asked Patrick, full of enthusiasm.
“Oh, no, not now,” cried Evleen. The closer they got to County Claire, the more anxious she was to see her mother.
“It will only take a few minutes,” said Thomas. With a slight smile, he continued, “Indulge me.”
* * *
The enduring silence of the ancient monastery grounds was broken only by the melodic chirping of the birds. Overhead, fleecy white clouds skittered about an azure blue sky as Evleen gazed down at the carved stone crosses dotting the emerald green setting of Conclonomaise. They were like silent sentinels guarding the centuries, she mused.
Since that terrible scene with Thomas’s father, she had lived in her own little world of hurt and resentment, but gradually, as she gazed at the ancient ruins lying below her in the sunshine, her inner turmoil stilled, replaced by a marvelous feeling of serenity. “Just think, it was founded in five-forty-five AD,” she murmured. “It’s hard to imagine, all those many years ago.”
Thomas stood close by her side. “Here, I can think of Montague without feeling bitter at his wasted life. I know he’s at last found peace.”
Thomas has done so much for me, she thought with sudden clarity. The thought barely crossed her mind when another followed. Even though grieving for his brother, he had taken the time to escort Patrick and her home to Ireland. “How thoughtless of me. I’ve been so sunk in my own troubles, I forgot how terrible you must feel.”
“This is the least I can do. My father treated you abysmally.”
“Yes, he did, but still...” She was silent for a time, putting her thoughts in order. “I’m so glad you brought me here. It’s not easy to explain, but I’m thinking of all the people who’ve lived here over the centuries and how they’ve come and gone. They had troubles, too, but now, what does it matter? I stand here in awe. This place makes me realize how petty are my own concerns.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “A hundred years from now, all those uncertainties of ours that loom so large today won’t matter one whit.”
So very true, she thought. Although she had been deeply wounded by the Marquess’s words, a year, six months, from now, what would they matter? Aside from honor, the one thing in her life that truly mattered was her love for her family, and their love for her. And equally important...
Her heart swelled with newly discovered feeling. My love for Thomas. She smiled up at him. “I feel better somehow.”
“You should. Of your many admirable qualities, the one I admire the most is your faith in yourself. You know my father was wrong. You are not going to wallow in self-pity.”
“I know, and I won’t.”
He took her hand. “Let’s stroll, shall we? I want another chance at that Whispering Arch.”
Patrick was off exploring when they reached the ruins of the cathedral and The Whispering Arch. “You stand here,” said Thomas, placing her on one side of the arch. “And I’ll stand here.” He stood on the other side and they faced each other.
Evleen’s heart was pounding as she asked, “Would you mind telling me why you brought me here?”
He asked, “Do you remember what the old man said to us the first time we were here?”
“He said courting couples have been coming here for centuries. They stand, one on each side, whispering their words of love to one another.”