Besieged

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.