The Irish Upstart (40 page)

Not easily
, Thomas thought as a lump rose in his throat.

But I must
.

“
All that is true, sir, and I deeply sympathize, but you may as well know that nothing on this earth will prevent me from asking Evleen O’Fallon to be my bride.
”

Thomas braced himself, waiting for the eruption that was sure to follow his rebellious stand. But instead, with baleful softness his father remarked,
“
So you choose to defy me.
”

“
You have never even met her. If you did, you would see—
”

“
I have no wish to meet her,
”
Papa snapped.
“
There’s nothing I can do to dissuade you?
”

“
You can disown me if you like.
”

“
Don’t be ridiculous. You’re my only son and heir now. Nothing will change that.
”

“
Then I take it you’re agreeable to my marrying Evleen?
”

“
We shall see, son.
”

“
I want an answer now,
”
Thomas demanded.

“
I have no desire for any further discussion concerning that Irish girl.
”

What did Papa mean? Although Thomas initially felt pleased that his father appeared to capitulate, he felt a certain unease. Later, his disquiet grew as the more he thought about it, the more he suspected this wasn’t the end of his disagreement with an ever-stubborn, ever-domineering, father who, one way or another, nearly always managed to get his way.

* * *
 
                                       

In the small family burial plot at Northfield Hall, Montague, Lord Eddington, was laid to rest under the spreading branches of an ancient oak tree. Most of the black-garbed crowd attending had come up from London for the day. They remained a somber lot during the services. Afterward, inside the magnificent mansion, when servants passed among them serving refreshments, the atmosphere lightened considerably.

For Evleen, dressed in borrowed black, it had been a most difficult day. Not only did she grieve for Montague, she was in an agony of doubt over Thomas. Did he believe the rumors flying around? She had not spoken to him since before the accident. Now it seemed a lifetime ago when they were laughing at the ball. She recalled the urgency in his voice when he said he wanted to speak to her. Did he still? Today would he greet her warmly or would he blame her for Montague’s death and cut her dead? As it was, she sensed a certain coolness among many whom she thought were her friends. Nobody snubbed her completely, though, until she was given the cut direct by Lady Chatsworth, an old friend of the Marquess. There could be no doubt. The elderly woman ignored Evleen’s greeting, stuck her nose in the air, and moved away.

“
You must ignore her,
”
said Amanda as she and Evleen stood together in the ornate drawing room.
“
She’s a silly old lady who doesn’t know any better. I shall go set her straight this instant.
”

“
No, you mustn’t,
”
Evleen replied.
“
Your mother will strongly disapprove if you do.
”

“
There are times when you must do what you know is right.
”
Amanda flashed Evleen an admiring smile
“
You taught me that. You do not deserve such treatment and I shan’t allow it. Here I go. Wish me luck with Lady Chatsworth.
”

Evleen watched gratefully as Amanda moved away. Truly, the girl had changed of late. Evleen wasn’t sure if she should take credit, but Amanda had recently discovered she had a backbone. Her new attitude showed in the way she held her shoulders back and the manner in which she looked people square in the eye.

Lord Thomas had been busy acting the host. Evleen surreptitiously watched as, deeply grieved, yet alert to the comfort of his guests, he moved among the crowd accepting condolences. Finally he came to her. She held her breath, not knowing what he would say. What a relief when he took her hand in both of his and said warmly,
“
I’m glad you could come today.
”

He listened carefully as she told him how sorry she was about Montague. When he finished, she hesitated, wondering what more she should say, deciding it was best he know what was in her heart.
“
I know there have been stories going around, but—
”

“
But we shall pay no attention to them, shall we?
”
he said, a world of love, concern, and comfort in his dark eyes. He bent toward her and in a soft voice said urgently,
“
I must see you later, Evleen, after the guests have gone.
”

Someone interrupted. With a quick nod he moved away, but nonetheless she felt a vast relief, He wasn’t angry.
Thomas wants to see me
. She felt suddenly buoyant and had to suppress an urge to laugh aloud, which most certainly would not be seemly at a funeral.

Not long after, the butler took her aside.
“
His lordship would like to see you, Miss O’Fallon.
”

Thomas’s father? What could he possibly
... ? She had met the Marquess briefly when four male servants carried him down for his son’s funeral. He appeared to be in pain, and as soon as the services were over, was carried back upstairs.
“
He wants to see me now, this very minute?
”

“
Now, Miss.
”

An oddly primitive warning sounded in her brain. This was not going to be good, she knew it. With each step up the massive winding staircase, she grew more apprehensive.

* * *
 
                                       

“
Do come in, Miss O’Fallon,
”
said the Marquess.

As Evleen entered the bedchamber and seated herself, her heart went out to the white-haired old man sitting with his bandaged foot propped upon a low stool. He had lost a son. He was obviously in pain. Thomas mentioned once what a robust man of action his father used to be, but obviously not anymore.

Evleen offered her sincere condolences, then sat back to hear what the Marquess had to say.

He wasted no time.
“
Were you aware my son wants to marry you?
”
He fastened
her with his piercing gaze.

She was taken aback and had to collect her wits before she replied,
“
I suspected as much, but I wasn’t sure.
”

“
And what will you say when he proposes?
”

The effrontery! If this were anyone but Thomas’s father, she would surely get up and leave. At least she readily knew the answer.
“
I would say yes. I love Thomas very much, although I have yet to tell him so.
”

The Marquess cocked his head and examined her thoroughly.
“
You’re pretty enough. Well-spoken, too, I see.
”

She’d had enough. He had a reason for saying all this and she wanted to know what it was.
“
With all due respect, sir, what are you getting at?
”

He wasted no time in replying,
“
Young lady, what I’m getting at is that I do not want Thomas to marry you.
”

This had not been a good day to begin with. Now the effect of the Marquess’s words seemed to her the final, shattering blow. Over the lump growing in her throat, she managed to inquire,
“
May I ask why?
”

“
Do not take this personally, Miss O’Fallon. You’re a lovely woman, obviously well-bred, but you’re not
...”
He appeared to be searching for the least hurtful word.

“
Quality?
”
she inquired, hardly able to speak. A wave of bitterness struck her.
“
What you mean is, I am ‘below your touch’ as you English so quaintly say. Worse, I come from Ireland, that God-forsaken land where only the lowliest of savages dwell.
”

“
Now, now, I have no wish to insult you
.
”

“
I am sure you don’t, yet I don’t hear you denying what I just said.
”

“
The facts remain,
”
the Marquess stated firmly.
“
My son will soon inherit a vast estate. Surely you can see he must have a wife of impeccable breeding, not to mention unimpeachable propriety.
”

She asked incredulously,
“
Are you implying there’s something wrong with my propriety?
”

“
I have heard the rumors.
”

“
About... Montague?
”
His nod caused her to fling out her hands in simple despair.
“
I did not, in any way, cause the death of your son, but you won’t believe that, will you?
”

He squeezed his eyes shut a moment. She could see this horrid scene was as difficult for him as it was for her. In a deadly calm voice he said,
“
I wish you no harm, Miss O’Fallon, but the fact remains you are not... of our element. Please, I beg of you, do not marry
Thomas
.
”

She stood, stunned and sickened, her pride telling her there was only one course she could follow.
“
You have won, sir. Rest assured, I shall not marry your son.
”

* * *

Thomas was surprised to see Evleen coming down the staircase. There was only one reason for her to be upstairs—she had been talking to his father. He felt a flicker of apprehension which turned to consternation when he saw her stricken face. He asked quickly,
“
What is wrong, Evleen?
”

“
Nothing’s wrong
.
”

“
Of course there’s something wrong. Come, let us talk. I think the library is empty.
”

“
No.
”
Eyes cold and proud, she backed away.
“
We’ll be having no need to talk, not now, not ever.
”

He was thunderstruck.
“
But see here—
”

“
It won’t work, Thomas.
”
She laughed bitterly.
“
Funny, isn’t it? My mother wanted me to find a rich, titled Englishman. Well, now you are one, and much too good for a poor Irish peasant girl like me. Goodbye, Lord Thomas... oh, no, excuse me, it’s Lord Eddington now, isn’t it? Saints preserve us, you’re a future Marquess. Pardon me if I don’t curtsey, but I’m Irish so I don’t know how.
”

“
You’re being ridiculous
.
”
He
reached out to her.
“
Please, we need to talk.
”

“
I have nothing more to say.
”
The gaze she leveled on him was full of anger, despair, and pride.
“
I am going home to Ireland, the sooner the better
.
”
She
turned and hastened away.

Thomas watched wordlessly, knowing to go after her now would be sheer folly while she was in her current mood.
Papa
. Thomas could guess what the Marquess had said to her, but he needed to know exactly what transpired. Driven by urgency, he sprang up the stairway but came to an abrupt halt at the top. He must calm himself before he faced his father. Otherwise, God knew what might happen when he discovered what cruel words the Marquess had employed to offend and enrage the only woman in this world he had ever loved.

* * *
 
                                       

Home to Ireland!

The words rang in Evleen’s head as she slipped from Northfield Hall without so much as a goodbye, and on foot hastened the short distance to Aldershire Manor. Despite all the grief of these past few days—Montague’s death, the lies that were told, and now this last horrible insult from the Marquess—her heart lifted at the thought she was going home.

Patrick would stay, of course. She had done her best to change his arrogant attitude, and hoped she had. How she would miss him! Still, he was better off with his grandfather than he’d ever be in County Clare.