When he gave her a quizzical look, she blushed and added, "All this
talk of rebellion and the King of Spain makes me rather dizzy. But I'm
certain whatever you said was very wise. And the queen will take
your words to heart."
"I hope so." He drew back the reins, slowing the team to a walk as
they labored up a hill. "I reminded Elizabeth that England can hardly
bear the expense of a war at this i time."
She couldn't mask the censure in her tone. "Is that all that concerns
you about a war between England and Ireland? The gold it would
take?"
His tone was patient. "What concerns me is the cost to my family. My
father. My brother, Rory. My friends and neighbors, who would
gladly give their lives in defense of ! their homes and families. But
such things matter not to the . queen. And so I reminded her of the
gold it will take, for that is something that does matter. Gold, and her
place in her people's hearts, are always uppermost in Elizabeth's
mind."
Emma looked at him with new respect. "So, it would seem that you
know what to say, and what not to say, to impress the queen. You
must understand her very well."
"I've made it my job to know her better than I know myself. The fate
of my people depends upon it."
At his words, spoken so forcefully, she glanced at him in surprise.
"Do you put the fate of Ireland above your standing with the queen?"
He shot her a dangerous look. "What do you think?"
Instead of replying, she fell silent. Was there more to this man than
merely the queen's charming rogue? Or was she reading too much
into his words? Before she could give it more thought they came to a
fork in the road.
He turned to her. ' Which way, my lady?'
"This way." She pointed and he flicked the reins.
It occurred to Conor that this had been one of the most pleasant days
that he could ever recall. There was something so easy about being in
Emma's company. After all this time in England, being with her made
him feel as if he'd come home. Perhaps it was the soft brogue that was
so musical after the shrill voices at Court. Or perhaps it was the young
woman herself. She was as modest, as unassuming,, as the nobles
were haughty and overbearing. Whatever the reason, being with her
had a soothing effect on him.
The team followed along the road until they came to a lovely, curving
driveway that led to an elegant manor house.
At the sight of it, all Emma's thoughts centered on her father and little
sister. Finally, she would be given her chance to see them, to touch
them, to assure herself that they were truly well. Celestine wouldn't
be so cruel as to keep them apart this time.
"This is Clermont House." She said it with such reverence, Conor
turned to study her. "My father bought it for my mother, in the hope
that English physicians might be able to help her, when the Spanish
physicians failed. This is where she died. And afterward, my father
couldn't find the heart to leave it and return to Ireland. I think he
believed that he would somehow feel closer to her here."
"And then he met his new wife."
"Aye." Her tone hardened. "Celestine." She spoke the name as though
speaking of a serpent.
As they pulled up to the courtyard, a servant helped Emma from the
carriage.
"Welcome, my lady."
"Thank you, Charles."
Another servant took the reins from Conor.
At the door, Emma's way was barred by the butler. She stopped,
puzzled.
"Edward, is my stepmother here?"
He glanced from Emma to the man beside her. "Lady Vaughn is
entertaining friends in the parlor."
"It isn't necessary to disturb her. I came to see my sister and father.
Will you fetch them please?"
He seemed to hesitate, then stepped back. "Follow me." The butler
led them along the hallway to a large, fashionably appointed room
that looked out over the formal gardens. Without a word he left,
closing the double doors as he did.
Emma was too agitated to sit. While Conor watched in silence, she
began to pace from the fireplace to the windows, then back again.
With each tick of the clock on the mantel her nerves seemed to stretch
and tighten, as she continued glancing toward the doors.
At last the doors opened and she spun around. Her bright smile faded.
"Celestine. I was told you were entertaining friends,. I didn't wish to
bother you."
"I'm certain you did not." A satisfied little cat-smile touched the
corner of Celestine's lips. "I have given Edward orders that I am to be
informed of everyone who passes through these doors." She flicked a
glance over the young woman, then turned to study her companion. '
'Who might this be?"
"This is Conor O'Neil."
"O'Neil?" Celestine's eyes widened before she caught herself.
Emma kept her tone cool. "Conor, this is my father's wife, Celestine."
"Lady Vaughn." Wearing his most charming smile Conor crossed the
room and lifted her outstretched hand to his lips. "What a delightful
surprise. I must admit, I was expecting someone older."
Emma could see the subtle change that came over her stepmother.
Her eyes softened. Her lips curved in a most inviting smile. "Conor
O'Neil. I can see why the queen is so taken with you."
"And I can see how you managed to capture Lord Vaughn's attention
and heal his broken heart. You must be an extraordinary woman."
"Why, thank you." It was plain that she was dazzled by Conor's
charm.
"I've brought..." Emma cleared her throat and tried again. Her
annoyance at feeling shut out by these two made her tone sharper than
she'd intended. "I hoped I might have a chance to see Sarah and my
father."
Celestine barely flicked a glance in her direction. ' 'That isn't
possible."
"Why?" Emma had to grip the back of the chair to keep from
crumpling. "Where are they? What have you done with them?"
"What have I done with them?" Celestine smiled broadly at Conor.
"What a silly child our Emma is. Do you see what I must tolerate
from this stepdaughter?" She turned to Emma and her eyes narrowed.
"They are asleep."
"In the middle of the day?"
' 'I had to see that Sarah was given a potion for pain. As for your
father, he was given a potion to settle his nerves. Else I would have no
respite from the constant whining and complaining from the two of
them. But have no fear. Whenthe potions wear off, they will be
refreshed and renewed by sleep. There are servants looking after
them who will notify me when they have awakened."
"The same servants who were looking out for Sarah when she fell
from a pony cart and broke a leg?'
Celestine shot her a calculating look. "That happened in the country,
where there are less restrictions. The child has learned her lesson, I
expect. Next time, she'll take better care."
"She's just a baby, Celestine. She needs comfort. She needs me. And
her father."
"Your fathe
r isn't strong enough to even see to himself. How can he
care for a six year old? That's what servants are for. As for you, your
place is with the queen. Why, I would have given anything to have
the opportunity I've given you."
She turned to Conor and her smile was back. "Daniel's two daughters
are so ungrateful. I've brought order into their lives. And dignity and
nobility. The sort of nobility that only a member of the royal family
can bring. And all they can do is complain."
Conor returned her smile. He'd been listening intently. Not only to
what was said but also to what was left unsaid.
With a look of dogged determination Emma started toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Celestine demanded.
"To see my father and sister. Whether awake or asleep, I neett'to see
for myself that they are truly well."
"That isn't possible." Celestine reached the door first and stood in
front of it, barring Emma's way. "As I explained, they've been given
potions to help them sleep. I'll not allbw you to disturb them."
"Please, Celestine. I'll be very quiet." Emma's voice was close to
pleading. "What more do you want?"
"I desire the same as you, Emma." Celestine's tone became patient,
soothing. "We both want your father and sister to grow strong and
healthy. That is why I must forbid you to disrupt my schedule at this
time. I know, better than anyone, what is best for them. But, since it is
my nature to be generous..." She managed a benevolent smile. "And
since you have come all this way, I must insist that you and your
handsome guest take tea with me before you leave."
Emma started to shake her head.
"I insist. And then you and I will talk, Emma. Alone." Celestine
looped one arm through Emma's, then placed her hand on Conor's
sleeve. "Come. I'm entertaining Lady Bolton and the Duchess of
Trent. They'll be so delighted to meet Daniel's daughter and Queen
Elizabeth's much- admired advisor." She fluttered her lashes. "Why,
all of England has heard of the handsome, charming Conor O'Neil."
"Here you are, my lord."
Conor accepted the reins from the servant and climbed to the seat of
the carriage. He turned to watch Emma, standing in the doorway of
Clermont House, head bent in earnest conversation with her
stepmother. It was the first time the two women had taken a moment
to speak privately. Emma stood with her back to him, her hands
clenched tightly at her sides. Celestine, facing Emma, was wagging a
finger as she spoke. Though he couldn't hear the words, he could see
the look on her face that said she would tolerate no nonsense.
Within minutes Emma turned away and nearly ran to the carriage.
When she was seated beside Conor, he lifted the reins and the team
broke into a trot. He glanced over her head and noted that the door
was already closed.
"No fond farewells from your devoted stepmother?"Emma didn't
bother to respond. Instead she clutched her hands tightly in her lap.
"Your father's home is beautiful, Emma."
"There was a time when I thought so." Her voice was drawn, tired.
"Now I consider it merely big and cold and empty."
"Like the woman who presides over it." He urged the horses faster, as
eager to escape as the young woman beside him.
"I hadn't thought you'd noticed." She looked at him angrily.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what it means. You were so busy charming
Celestine and her friends, I nearly choked on my tea."
"It cost me nothing to be charming."
"It never seems to cost you, does it, Conor?" Her throat grew clogged,
and she knew she was close to tears. "Whether it's the queen or a
stranger you've just met, you're always the same. Smiling.
Captivating. Completely irresistible. Why, you had those women
practically feeding you their cakes, while you told those enchanting
stories that everyone finds so endearing."
He bowed his head and smiled wickedly at her. "Thank you, my lady.
From your reaction, I thought you hadn't noticed."
"Oh,..I noticed." To her embarrassment her eyes filled, and she had to
blink furiously to keep them from spilling over. It wasn't jealousy,
she consoled herself. It was simply the emotions of the day.
She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I was forced to sit
there listening to you prattle on while all I wanted was the chance to
see my father and sister. And I...I fear I'll never see them again."
He brought the team to a sudden halt and turned to her. "You'll see
them, Emma."
She shook her head and buried her face in her hands. "Nay. Celestine
will never allow it. She's a vile, evil woman."
"I know." He gathered her into his arms.
She lifted her head. "You...know?"
"Aye. The lady is so sure of herself, she doesn't even bother to hide
her feelings." He felt the dampness of her tears against his chest and
pressed a clean handkerchief to her hands. "But while I was busy
being charming and amusing, I had a chance to notice several things."
She hiccuped and blew her nose. "Things?"
"Aye. Such as the burly servant she has posted at the foot of the
stairs."
"To keep everyone from going above stairs." Emma's tone was filled
with sadness.
She blinked, not at all understanding. "You made a great show of
admiring it."
"So that your stepmother would allow me to go into the garden for a
better look. I tested it for strength. It rises to the second story of the
house. And it's sturdy enough to take my weight."
She looked up. "Your...weight?"
He nodded. "I thought I might bring you back at some time when your
stepmother is gone."
"How would you know when she's gone?"
' 'I gave the butler, Edward, a gold sovereign to send me a message
the next time Lady Vaughn goes into London. I've found that most
servants are willing to perform a great many...extra services, for the
sake of gold."
She stared at him in stunned silence, unaware of where this was
leading.
"And while Celestine is in London, and we arrive at Clermont House,
you will keep the servants occupied, Emma, while I climb that rose
arbor and take a look at your father and sister."
She started to shake her head. "What you're suggesting could be very
dangerous."
"It could be. Are you afraid?"
She stiffened her spine. "Of course not. I'd risk any danger to see my
father and sister. But what about you? Why would you risk such a
thing?"
"Let's just say..." He winked, and she felt her heart do a series of flips,
"...that I have a need to do something nice for a lovely lass from my
homeland."
"Oh, Conor. I don't know what to say." She was weeping again. But
these were tears of happiness.
As he gathered her into his strong arms and sought to comfort her, she
clung to him. And then, without giving a thought to what she was
doing, she lifted her mouth to his, pouring out all her fee
lings of fear,
of confusion, of hope.
He was caught by surprise. And deeply moved. There was no time to
be clever. No time to prepare himself for the flood of feelings. He
returned her kisses with a passion that left them both breathless.
She gave a little gasp, and he swallowed the sound with another long,
slow kiss that had both their heads spinning.
He poured all his hunger into the kiss. Needs, so long denied, began
to pulse and throb. With every touch of his hands along her spine,
with every press of her soft body against "his, the need grew.
All around them the air was perfumed with the fragrance of primrose
and lavender. It taunted him with thoughts of lying with her in the
cool grass, and loving her until they were both sated.
He knew this was madness. Knew that he had no right to want her.
But he did. Desperately.
Emma was shaken to the core. His kisses were no longer easy or
gentle. His mouth moved over hers with a savage- ness that shook
them both. His hands moved up her spine, igniting fires everywhere
as he pressed and kneaded. When his thumbs encountered the swell
of her breasts, he stroked until she moaned and moved against him.
They were both thoroughly aroused, and struggling for breath.
It was Conor who came to his senses first. He drew back, determined
to bank the fire, for her sake. He pressed his forehead to hers, hoping
in vain to clear his mind. But the touch of her, the warmth of her body
against his, had him fighting for control. And losing.
His touch gentled as he held her a little away. His thumbs made lazy
circles along her shoulders. "My mind knows that I have no right to
this, Emma. But I'm not certain my heart is listening."
She gave a shaky laugh. But when she looked into his eyes, her
laughter died in her throat. "Perhaps we could linger here."
Stunned, he lowered his mouth to hers for another drugging kiss.
Emma felt a series of tremors that rocked her.
Against her lips Conor whispered, "If I could have but one wish, it
would be to stay here and lie with you in this meadow, and make
slow, lazy love with you all through the night."