Kevin raced away, while Dunmore bit back what more he would have said, lifting Maggie into his arms. He kissed her brow, as she settled her head against his chest, striding to their cabin. Once all three were inside, Dunmore stripped Maggie of her coat and scarf, running his hands over her. “I can see no injury,” he murmured, kneeling at her feet. “Maggie, beloved, what happened?” he asked, as he rose and cupped her cheeks. When her eyes filled, and she began to gasp, unable to speak, he guided her to a chair and spun to Nora. “Madam? What happened to my Maggie?”
Nora cleared her throat. “Jacques was in town.”
Dunmore dropped his hands from his hips and took a menacing step toward the door. “He’s a dead man.”
Smiling mischievously, Nora murmured, “It’s ironic you would say that because he is a dead man.”
“What?” Dunmore asked, staring from Maggie to Nora. He gripped Maggie’s hand, holding it between both of his, when he felt how cold it was. With a sigh, he motioned Nora closer to the stove in their small cabin. He sat on one chair, tugging Maggie onto his lap, and pointed to the other for Nora. “Please be comfortable, while telling me your tale. And don’t bother lying. Maggie will tell me the truth eventually, and I’d like for us to continue to be friends.”
Nora smiled and sat with a grateful sigh. Just as she was about to speak, the door burst open, as Seamus, Ardan, Kevin, Declan, and Niall burst inside. The small cabin felt even smaller at their presence.
“Maggie!” Seamus called out, shutting the door to keep the cold out. “What’s happened to the lass?” He looked from Dunmore to the Madam, his gaze filled with terror.
“Madam Nora was about to explain,” Dunmore said, before he murmured calming sounds against Maggie’s head. “Nora?”
Nora sat regally in her chair, smiling her greeting to the O’Rourke men. “Jacques visited me today. Said he had a proposition for me. He realized it would be near impossible to steal Maggie away in the middle of winter, but he remained obsessed with her. He believed she would come to the Bordello, if I asked, and then he could have her. Ruin her, so that you, Dunmore, wouldn’t want her, and she would be his. That she would be his own private Siren.”
Maggie shivered in Dunmore’s arms, and he whispered soothing words in her ear.
The O’Rourke men stiffened, as though readying for battle. “Where is he?” Ardan asked. “Wherever you’ve hid him, he’ll pay for what he’s done to Maggie.”
Nora glanced at Ardan and the irate O’Rourke men and then focused on Dunmore tending to Maggie and her fears. She waited until Dunmore looked up at her and nodded for her to continue speaking. “A man like Jacques would never stop in his pursuit of Maggie, until he died, perhaps killing Maggie in the process. I knew what needed to be done.”
“So you lured Maggie there? Under false pretenses?” Dunmore asked, his gaze flashing with rage. “How could you endanger her?”
Nora sighed, ignoring the grumble of agreement from Seamus and his sons. “I took a calculated risk. A man like Jacques would always believe himself in control. He would never believe a mere woman could outwit him, although Maggie had already done so at least twice.” She paused. “And I knew his penchant for fine liquor.”
Seamus gasped and then burst out in incredulous laughter. “You sly woman.”
Dunmore paled. “You … ?” He didn’t say anymore, just lifted an eyebrow. When Nora played with the pendant at her throat and nodded, he sighed, leaning heavily into the chair and squeezing Maggie tight.
Niall frowned, sharing a look with his father, before facing Nora. “You poisoned the man?” He grunted, when Declan slapped his hand against his belly. At their subtle nods, Niall whistled in awe.
“I regret that Maggie was ever in that man’s presence again, albeit for a short time. However, I do feel, in this one circumstance, the end justifies the means.” Nora sat, unrepentant and calm, as she looked at the men in the room.
“Jesus,” Dunmore breathed. “I hope the townsfolk know better than to ever cross you.”
Nora smiled enigmatically. “As I told Maggie, I protect my own.” She rose and bent over to kiss Maggie on her forehead. “Rest, darling girl. All is well.”
Maggie reached her hand out to grip Nora’s. “Thank you, Nora.” Maggie’s eyes filled, and she shrugged, as she knew there was so much more to say but no possible way to express it.
At Nora’s nod, the Madam left the cabin, while Maggie relaxed again in Dunmore’s arms.
Seamus approached Maggie, bending to kiss her on her head. “I’m sorry, my darling girl, that you were scared again, for even a moment.”
“Aye,” Ardan said, as he followed his father and kissed his sister’s cheek. “I’m only sorry I didn’t kill the man.”
Each brother followed Da’s lead, and soon they stood near the door again, as they watched Maggie rest in Dunmore’s arms. “I’ll be forever thankful to the Madam,” Seamus murmured. “She’s a true and loyal friend, and we must ensure she never suffers for aiding us.”
“Aye,” Declan said. “I only wish she’d rid us of Chaffee at the same time.”
Ardan and Kevin nodded, while Seamus sighed. “I fear we haven’t heard the last of him.” Seamus looked at his daughter and nodded. “Rest, my girl. I’ll let your mum know what happened, and she’ll look in on you tomorrow.” He winked at her and gave Dunmore a knowing look. “For now, let your man tend you.” He ushered his sons outside, leaving Maggie and Dunmore alone.
* * *
“I can’t believe it’s really over,” Maggie whispered, at least half an hour later.
Dunmore gave a grunt of disagreement, rising to carry her to their bed. He stripped her of her dress and corset, leaving her in her underclothes, before he did the same,
