The Irish Upstart (23 page)

Thomas snorted.
“
How my heart bleeds for you. I am all sympathy.
”

Montague lowered his voice.
“
You know I cannot abide that dreary woman and her daughters.
”

“
Oh, come now,
”
said Penelope, looking lovely in a white bombazine dinner gown trimmed with blue lace,
“
I can see why you don’t like Charlotte and Bettina, but Amanda is not all that bad.
”

“
Granted, Amanda is a harmless enough creature, but that boring Bettina. That shallow Charlotte—
”

“
Whom you’re going to marry, and soon,
”
Penelope declared.
“
It’s time you made the best of it, Montague. It’s Papa’s wish.
”

“
Oh, I suppose.
”
Montague sighed, obviously resigning himself to a dull evening.
“
You say the Irish girl will be here?
”
At Thomas’s nod, he brightened.
“
Then we’ll soon see if she’s truly as beautiful as you say she is.
”

Thomas glared at his brother, heartily wishing he had not even mentioned Evleen, but when he’d arrived home, his thoughts had been so full of her that he couldn’t help describing her in the most glowing terms.
“
Beautiful or no, Montague, you’re to keep your hands off.
”

“
There’s a strange bit of brotherly advice,
”
Montague declared triumphantly.
“
Could my stalwart younger brother actually be jealous? Damme, if I haven’t hit a vulnerable spot in his psyche.
”

Thomas was long past the stage where anything his brother said could make him angry, though he did find himself slightly annoyed. He should not even be that, though. More than ever lately, he felt concern for his brother, who, with his drinking and debauching, was throwing his life away with both hands.
“
Leave my psyche out of this, Montague. Evleen O’Fallon is a fine woman, as you shall soon see. I have nothing but the utmost respect for her.
”

Montague laughed scornfully, but before Thomas could retaliate, Pierce invited them into the drawing room.

Stunning
. That was all Thomas could think when he saw Evleen. Even when she wore her simple Irish garb, he had known she was beautiful, yet he had hardly been prepared for this elegantly coiffed and gowned creature who returned his bow with a graceful curtsey. How striking was the charming contrast of her snow white skin against the deep orange of her low-cut dinner gown. Cappucine, he thought the ladies called it. Whatever the color, just looking at her caused a lurch of excitement within himself.

This was ridiculous. He must stop acting like a green school boy. Fresh in his mind was the conversation he’d just had with his father, still confined to his room with the gout.

“
So you like and admire this young woman,
”
the Marquess commented, after Thomas’s detailed description of his journey.

“
Very much so,
”
Thomas had answered.
“
I find her witty, intelligent, and charming.
”
had felt like adding,
and intensely exciting
, but thought better of it.

“
Surely you have not forgotten Miss Bettina Trevlyn,
”
the Marquess reminded him, wincing from the pain of his gout.

“
No, I have not, but bear in mind I have not yet proposed to Miss Trevlyn. However
...”
Thomas carefully formed the words to explain.
“
Marriage is not a consideration. Miss O’Fallon is betrothed to an Irishman named Timothy Murphy.
”

His father nodded.
“
There you have it, then. Honor decrees—
”

“
I know about honor, Papa,
”
Thomas testily replied, in no mood for a lecture.

“
Even Montague would not deign to dally with a married woman or one betrothed.
”

“
One of his few virtues.
”
A lie. Thomas knew differently, but his father had been disappointed enough without knowing the whole truth about Montague.

Thomas proceeded to inform his father how happy he was his journey to Ireland was over and how eager he was to get about the business of breeding Thoroughbreds. He found he was feigning part of his eagerness, though. To his growing chagrin, since the day he’d returned to that small cottage in County Claire, nearly every waking thought in his head had been of Evleen O’Fallon. How could he forget her bravery crossing the Irish Sea, deathly ill, yet still joking? Or, when he was trying to comfort her, how the wind caught her shining dark hair, lashing its softness against his face, taunting him, making him want to thrust his hands through its luxuriant softness. could he forget that moment at the Whispering Arch when their eyes had locked and deep in his belly he’d felt the hot stirrings of desire?

“
Why if it isn’t Lord Thomas.
”

Bettina Trevlyn’s shrill voice swiftly brought him back to cold reality. Seated on a rose-colored satin settee, she patted the cushion beside her.
“
Come, do sit down,
”
she said, her many curls bobbing.
“
I cannot wait to show you my newest pillow cover.
”

Oh God
.

Smiling pleasantly, Thomas settled himself beside Bettina. Evleen sat straight across, her dark, lively beauty contrasting with the pale blonde, washed-out appearance of the Trevlyn sisters. A rose among the thorns as far as he was concerned. At least he could surreptitiously feast his eyes upon her while being led, yet again, on another tedious journey through the land of needle-point. As he watched, Montague sat next to Evleen and engaged her in conversation. A long conversation, and then he led her into dinner where he managed, by a swift exchange of place cards, to sit next to her.

He might have known. Thomas knew the meaning of his brother’s every movement, every nuance of his voice, so no doubt existed. As the evening wore on, it became crystal clear that Montague was becoming increasingly infatuated with Miss Evleen O’Fallon.

* * *
 
                                       

“
Not an altogether unpleasant evening,
”
Montague remarked as he, Thomas, and Penelope journeyed the short distance back to Northfield Hall in their curricle.
“
Fine dinner... a few hands of Whist... I was not as bored as I thought I would be.
”

“
Who cares if you were bored or not?
”
snapped Penelope.
“
Besides, I know you weren’t bored because you spent the evening ogling down the bodice of Miss O’Fallon’s gown. Don’t deny it, I saw you.
”

“
So what if I was? Besides being quite beautiful, the girl posses a magnificent bosom. So white, so soft, so full... umm, whah!
”
Montague brought a hand to his lips and made a kissing sound that so infuriated Thomas he balled his fists. But before he could act, Penelope swiftly rapped their brother’s knuckles with her fan.
“
Stop that this instant! How could you be so crass? Miss O’Fallon doesn’t need the likes of you drooling over her. She has enough problems of her own.
”

“
What do you mean?
”
Thomas asked.

“
Isn’t it obvious? Charlotte and Bettina were green with envy. And did you not notice their mother? I swear, her claws came out when our dear brother here arranged to sit next to Miss O’Fallon at dinner.
”

“
Granted, they’re a bit jealous,
”
Montague remarked,
“
but isn’t that natural, given the circumstances? Miss O’Fallon is indeed a remarkable young woman. Bright, lively, full of charm. Surely they’ll like her once they get to know her.
”

“
Montague, lusting after women does not mean you know them very well.
”
Penelope thought a moment.
“
I hate to think what might happen when they go to London for the Season.
”

“
Why do you say that?
”
Thomas asked. Silently he had agreed with all that Penelope said.

“
Evleen is all the things Montague just described, and I like her very much,
”
replied Penelope.
“
She’s obviously well-educated and possesses infinite amounts of charm. Still, I fear she’ll have a difficult time in London.
”

“
What do you mean?
”
asked both Thomas and Montague.

“
First, there’s a rawness about her. Granted, her station in life is far above that of some dairy maid. Her manners are good enough, but she’s a country girl, not accustomed to the ton. She’s simply not as polished as she should be. I fear she’ll be like a lamb led to the slaughter. When she’s tossed into the middle of that cut-throat society of ours, every little gesture, every little thing she says will be measured, weighed, scrutinized, and discussed. Mark my words, at the very least, they’ll laugh at her.
”

“
And at most?
”

“
I fear she might be cut.
”

“
And the second reason?
”
Thomas asked grimly. He had not wanted to hear this, yet somehow he had known.

“
She’s Irish. Personally, I adore that Irish brogue of hers. When she talks, it’s like a poem set to music.
”

“
True of all the Irish,
”
granted Thomas.

“
But you know how the English look down their noses at the Irish. How can Evleen possibly escape the derision and snubs that are bound to be heaped upon her?
”

“
But she’s strong,
”
protested Thomas.
“
She’ll overcome whatever criticism might come her way. Besides, Lord Trevlyn will be of great support.
”

“
It does not bode well,
”
said Penelope sadly shaking her head.
“
I know women. The Trevlyn sisters and their mother will not only not help, God only knows what they might do to undermine Evleen’s position.
”

Thomas heartily declared,
“
They would not dare, especially when they know she has Lord Trevlyn’s support one hundred percent and is under his protection.
”

Penelope broke into unexpected laughter.
“
My dear brother, don’t you know that so-called protection will make Miss O’Fallon’s problem even worse?
”

Montague said musingly,
“
Perhaps I should take her under my wing.
”

“
You’ll do no such thing,
”
Thomas remarked, his voice icy.

Montague snickered.
“
Whatever is the matter? Not jealous of the little Irish chit, are we?
”

In the moonlight, Thomas made out Montague’s thin, aristocratic face and wanted very much to plant his fist full in the middle of it. Bad idea. He did love his brother, despite everything. Besides, Thomas recognized his own ridiculous and uncalled-for jealousies. He must set his brother straight about Evleen, though.
“
I believe I mentioned Miss O’Fallon is betrothed.
”

“
So?
”

“
So she is taken, Montague.
”
Thomas’s anger was rising.
“
An honorable man does not dally with a married woman or one betrothed.
”

“
Oh, grow up, Thomas, you’re living in a dream world. Above all, an honorable man is discreet, not some sort of chaste idiot. If I should tell you of my dalliances, some with married women of the highest rank, you would be amazed.
”

Thomas grit his teeth.
“
I would not be amazed, I would be sickened. Actually, I don’t care what you do, Montague, except for two things.
”

And what might those be, Thomas?
”
Montague asked with a snicker.