Besieged Page 16

  William Devers stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him as he went.

  Kieran laughed, and sat opposite his father. "I hope you will live a good long life, Da, for it is obvious our Willy isn't ready for all the responsibilities that you will pass on to him eventually." He gulped his whiskey, enjoying the satisfying warmth it spread through his veins.

  "I intend living a very long life, laddie," Shane Devers replied. "I can see the youngster needs seasoning. Traveling with him was no joy, I can tell you. He did nothing but bemoan his loss of Lady Lindley. I wish to God the wench had never come to Ulster! She must be a witch to have such a hold over William. I do not understand it, Kieran."

  "Fortune Lindley is exerting no hold over William, Da. It is all in his imagination, I fear. How in the name of God did my stepmother get him to agree to marry Emily Anne Elliot?"

  "She told him he had no other choice since there was no other young woman of his acquaintance he fancied who would have him. She told him it was his duty to wed and sire another generation of Deverses for Mallow Court. You know your stepmother, Kieran. When she wants something she will not be denied. At first William resisted her, but when Mary and Bessie agreed with Jane, he could no longer fight against his obvious fate. Even I have to agree 'tis best for him."

  "You had best be certain Willy is pleasant, and affectionate toward his cousin when the Elliots arrive in several days, Da."

  "I'll speak to him myself, and so will his mother. He'll treat the lass properly, or Catholic or no, you'll find yerself heir to my estate once again," Shane Devers said bluntly.

  "God forbid!" Kieran chuckled. "With that threat hanging over me, Da, I'll speak to my brother myself!"

  The two men laughed. Shane Devers loved both his sons, but he truly liked the elder. Kieran was strangely sensible for a man with such a stubborn nature, and he was honorable to a fault. It saddened Shane Devers that his eldest son had so easily given up his patrimony, but in a strange way the older man understood. Kieran, with his Celtic heritage, harked back to their more adventurous ancestors. William, with his English mother, was truly more suited to Mallow Court, particularly in their world which was changing so rapidly. Ulster, with its farms and its Scots and English immigrants, was gaining a smooth veneer more suited to the midlands of England than to the north of Ireland.

  ***

  Jane Devers was horrified to learn that the duke and duchess of Glenkirk remained in residence at Erne Rock Castle. There was no way she could avoid asking them to William and Emily's wedding. There were none of greater rank currently in the vicinity, and everyone knew the Deverses knew the Leslies because of the match gone awry. While no one was particularly surprised that William and Emily were marrying-it had always been a given despite the Deverses' try for the Lindley heiress-the scandal that would ensue if the Leslies of Glenkirk were not invited to the Devers wedding would be impossible to live down.

  The invitation was dispatched, and accepted. A large silver punch bowl, embossed with grapevines, leaves, and clusters of fat grapes, along with twenty-four matching silver cups, and a large silver ladle engraved with the family crest, arrived in the care of Adali himself. Lady Devers could scarce contain her excitement as the bowl and its accoutrements were carefully lifted by the white turbaned major-domo from the velvet-lined, polished ebony box with its silver corners and silver Devers nameplate. She managed to contain herself long enough to say, "Thank the duke and the duchess for their generosity. The bride will certainly write them when she arrives from Londonderry next week. We look forward to seeing his lordship and his family at the wedding." She smiled faintly.

  Adali made his most elegant bow. "I shall convey your kind words to my master and mistress," he said. Then he backed from the room.

  When he had gone Jane Devers made no attempt to hide her delight. "Shane, will you look at it! It's magnificent! William, is it not wonderful? Dearest Emily will be so pleased. It will provide a point of conversation for anyone who admires it. You shall be able to tell them it was a wedding gift from the duke and duchess of Glenkirk, who are related to the king himself! What generosity, especially considering.…" Her voice ceased. "It is lovely," she finished weakly.

  "I shall think of Fortune each time I see it," William said.

  "Stop it!" his mother screeched. "I truly believe you have lost your mind, William. I can only pray for you. Stop thinking of yourself! Think of Emily Anne. You hardly spoke to her when she was here in August. The Elliots thought it strange, but I told them you were just exhausted from your travels in England. When your cousin and her family arrive next week I expect you to behave lovingly toward Emily, and with dignity and respect towards her family."

  "Come on, laddie, and ride out with me," Kieran said, with a quick wink towards his stepmother. "The September air will clear your head, and you'll be thinking straighter."

  Jane Devers gave but an imperceptible nod of her head to her stepson. Kieran had been so helpful of late, and while he had certainly never been difficult with her except in the matter of religion, she wondered about his attitude. Still, she was grateful for he seemed to be the only one that William would listen to these days. She watched from the window of her salon as the two brothers rode off together.

  "Can you feel her watching us?" William said as they set their horses into a canter. "She is so afraid that I shall cry off at the last minute, and spoil her dreams, but I won't. I have no choices left to me at all. I shall marry my cousin, sire children, and do all that is expected of me. And why? Because I fully believe Da capable of turning about and giving you back your inheritance," he concluded.

  "I don't want Mallow Court," Kieran replied.

  "But I do," his brother said, for the first time admitting what Kieran had always known. Willy was indeed his mother's son.

  The two brothers rode in silence for some time, and then Kieran realized they were coming up on Black Colm's Hall. From the opposite direction another horse and rider were visible. Kieran recognized Thunder, and attempted to distract his brother, and turn about, but William, too, had recognized Fortune's gelding. He spurred forward eagerly. Cursing beneath his breath Kieran followed.

  Fortune recognized the brothers, and swore softly. She could hardly turn and run at this point. At least she would get to see Kieran even if he was with Will. She had only managed to see him once since the end of July, and then but briefly because he wanted no questions asked as to a lengthy absence. As they drew abreast of her Fortune smiled, drawing Thunder to a halt. "Hallo!" she greeted them. "What a surprise to meet you two out here. Will, how was England? Your sisters are well, I hope. My most hearty felicitations on your upcoming marriage. I look forward to meeting your bride."

  "I love you!" William Devers cried. "But say the word, Fortune, and I will tell my cousin our wedding is no longer possible!" His blue eyes were pleading with her.

  Fortune glared at him as if he had insulted her deeply. Kieran had warned her about Will's continuing infatuation. She had to stop it right now for all their sakes. "You stupid puppy!" she snapped. "I do not want to marry you! Did my family not make it clear? If they did not, then I will. You are a nice young man, Will Devers, but I would not wed you were you the last man living on the face of the earth."

  "But why?" he wailed at her.

  Fortune sighed. It was obvious her blunt tact had not worked, and was not going to work. She continued on in battle mode. "Why? Because you bore me, Will. You are the dullest fellow I have ever met. Why even Mama's estate manager, Rory Maguire, has more vitality than you, and is far better read to boot. Why? Because we have absolutely nothing in common. I am educated. You care naught for knowledge. I believe a woman can do almost anything. You think women are only good for running a household, and having babies. I could never marry a man like you. Now, do you understand?"

  He stared at her, astounded by her words. "You do not love me?" he said bleakly.

  "Nay, I do not love you, nor could I ever love you, Will," Fortune replied.


  "Then why can I not get you out of my heart and soul?" he demanded of her. "You haunt me, Fortune, both when I am awake, and when I am asleep. Why have you bewitched me?"

  "I have not bewitched you, Will. You have simply been loved your whole life by your family, and never been denied anything. I am probably the first thing you thought you wanted that you cannot have. You are most fortunate to have your cousin to wed. I am told she is perfect for you, and will be a good wife to you. Be satisfied with that, Will Devers."

  He stared at her blankly and then, turning his horse, spurred away from them.

  "You were hard on him," Kieran said softly.

  "Should I have been otherwise?" Fortune replied.

  "Nay. You knew just what had to be done, and you did it," he told her. "I miss you, sweetheart!"

  "And I you, but you had best follow your brother lest he grow suspicious. I will see you in a fortnight at the wedding." She turned Thunder about and rode off. She didn't look back. She didn't dare. The longing for Kieran had overwhelmed her when she had first seen him riding towards her. It was only in afterthought that she had noticed Will. Until today she had felt pity for him. Now, however, she felt irritation. William Devers was a fool. Her parents had refused his suit. He had spent a summer away from Ulster so he might forget. He had returned supposedly ready to wed his cousin. Poor girl, Fortune thought.

  But to everyone's delight William Devers greeted his bride-to-be enthusiastically when she arrived a week before their wedding. She was a pretty young woman, just turned sixteen, with a round, sweet face, and large blue eyes. Her strawberry-blond hair was styled in bunches of corkscrew curls that bobbed about her face. She had a straight little nose, and a cupid's bow of a mouth. Her skin was the peaches and cream tone so currently in fashion. William kissed her heartily upon the lips, and left her blushing.

  "Ohh, William!" she managed to gasp.

  "Welcome home, dearest Emily," he greeted her, and taking her by the arm led her into the house.

  "What has caused this turn?" Shane Devers murmured to his eldest son.

  "We ran into Lady Lindley several days ago out riding. Will made a perfect fool of himself, and she gave him a tongue-lashing the like of which I have never heard. I believe the words fool and bore were used several times, Da. She left him absolutely no maneuvering room, or any doubt that she didn't love him, never loved him, or ever could love him. She shattered his dream entirely, and I believe it brought him to his senses rather abruptly. He was quite surprised, for you know he has harbored this boyish infatuation for months now."

  "Thank God!" Sir Shane said softly. "Your stepmother has been hell to live with of late because she has been in fear that William would cry off at the last moment. She wants this marriage, and always has. She was only willing to give it up for Maguire's Ford, but once she met Lady Lindley, she saw an enemy who could actually take William from her, and was relieved to have her son turned down."

  "But she still covets Maguire's Ford," Kieran said.

  "Aye," his father admitted.

  "They say Lady Leslie is dividing it between her two younger Leslie sons, who are both staunch Protestants. They are already here from Scotland, I have heard," Kieran told his father. "I expect we will meet them at the wedding."

  "Yer stepmother knows," Shane Devers replied. "She is hoping that William will impregnate Emily with a daughter first. Then she hopes to match that child to one of the Leslie lads. If she cannot have all of Maguire's Ford, she is willing to settle for a half."

  "I stand in awe of your wife, sir," Kieran Devers responded.

  "As we all do," his father replied dryly. "As we all do. Praise God this wedding is but a few days hence. I do not think I can stand much more of this tarah, laddie."

  Kieran chuckled. He knew just how his father felt for he felt the same way, although for different reasons. But six days after his brother wed Emily Anne Elliot, he would marry Lady Fortune Lindley in the ancient church at Maguire's Ford. He longed for that day. He had thought the Leslies overcautious regarding his wedding to Fortune. He had wanted to share his happiness with at least his father, but today he had seen that they were right. William's infatuation for Fortune made it impossible. He didn't trust his brother now, for despite the severe put-down he had received, Kieran suspected Willy still harbored feelings for Fortune Lindley. His attitude toward young Emily was only partially sincere. When William Devers learned that his older brother, Kieran, had married the woman he secretly coveted, all hell could break loose. He would have to wait until Willy was safely off on his wedding trip to Dublin before saying a word.

  Still, he suddenly found the need to speak with someone, and so he rode to the north edge of the village of Lisnaskea to see his father's longtime mistress, Molly Fitzgerald, and his two half-sisters. Molly's home was always referred to as a cottage, but it was in actuality a fine brick house that Shane Devers had built for his mistress. Molly's old servant, Biddy, opened the door when he knocked, and seeing him her face broke into a wide smile.

  "Master Kieran, and 'tis it truly you now? Come in, come in! The mistress will be happy to see you, and so will yer sisters." She ushered him into the front salon where a good peat fire was burning in the fireplace. "Ye know where the whiskey is, Master Kieran. I'll go and fetch the mistress." She bustled out.

  He poured himself a whiskey, swallowing it down, for the ride had been chilly. Hearing the door to the salon open he turned with a smile. "Molly, you will forgive me calling unannounced."

  "Always, Kieran Devers, always," she said in her husky voice. She was a truly beautiful woman with thick dark hair, and warm amber eyes. "The lasses have missed you, but I am told you ride with the English girl at Erne Rock, and meet often at Black Colm's Hall."

  He laughed. "I had thought we were being discreet, Molly," he said. "Thank God no one has gossiped aloud lest I be in a great deal of trouble at home. You know she turned Willy down. Well, she didn't turn me down. Father Butler will marry us on the fifth of October."

  "And your father doesn't know?" Molly looked concerned.

  "How can I say anything right now?" Kieran replied. "William still fancies himself in love with her although she gave him a severe set-down the other day when we met out riding. He now pretends he is content with his cousin, but I know Willy. He still harbors passions for Fortune. We didn't want to spoil my brother's wedding by announcing our betrothal. I'll tell Da when Willy and Emily are safe off on their wedding trip to Dublin. If Da wants to come to our wedding we'll be glad to see him. If not, then we'll still be married."

  "I trust your sisters and I will be invited," Molly Fitzgerald said quietly. She took his hand in hers and led him to an upholstered settle by the fire.

  "Of course!" he said, sitting by her side.

  "So, Kieran Devers, you'll be the master of Erne Rock and Maguire's Ford," she said. "Her ladyship won't like that, I fear."

  "Nay, Moll, I'll not have either Erne Rock or Maguire's Ford. Fortune's mother understands the situation here in Ulster. She knows if she gave the estate to Fortune, and I married her, that my stepmother and brother would cause all kinds of difficulty, trying to take those lands away from me because I remain a Catholic. Instead she has arranged for her two youngest sons, Protestants both, to have Maguire's Ford. Fortune and I will not be remaining in Ulster. We'll go to England first, and then to the New World. The duchess says there is a gentleman, high in the king's favor, who is founding a colony for Catholics and others who suffer persecution, in the New World. We will go there to start our new life together."

  "The duke and duchess don't object to you marrying their lass? I had heard they were strange people; and they say she is a foreigner with a servant who wears a funny white pudding of a hat on his head. Is it all true then, Kieran?"

  He chuckled. "The funny hat is called a turban. Adali is half-French, and half-Indian. The duchess was born a princess in another land, and is the daughter of a great king. She came to England when she was sixteen, and
has lived here ever since. She's very beautiful, and very kind. Her husband is a decent gentleman who adores her. Fortune is a daughter of her second marriage. The duchess was widowed twice before she wed the duke of Glenkirk. She has seven living children. Does that satisfy your curiosity, Molly-O?"

  "It's a start," Molly Fitzgerald replied with a smile. "I hear the duchess is expecting another child."

  "Aye, and quite a surprise it was to her, I can tell you," he answered with a chuckle. "They plan to remain in Ireland until next summer when the child will have been long born, and ready to travel."

  "Will you and Fortune remain with them?"

  He shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't been able to go over to Erne Rock and discuss the matter since the family returned home from England. They'll do whatever needs to be done, Moll, and I'll have to be satisfied with that for now. It's rather odd, for I'm used to running my own life."

  "You will again, Kieran. Now, tell me how your da is. I haven't seen him since he returned. 'Tis the wedding preparations that keep him away, I know. Tell him I miss seeing him, as do the girls."

  "Where are Maeve and Aine?" he asked her.

  "In the kitchen learning how to make fine soap," Molly answered. "I'll not have them running about the village getting a reputation. There are enough small minds out there who think because I'm not considered respectable, my girls are fair game. My daughters will make respectable marriages, they will!"

  "There are few Catholic lads about any longer, Moll," he said quietly. "You may have to settle for a pair of Protestants, or ship the girls to a convent in France, or Spain." He grinned at her.