Chapter Sixteen
Eileen sank up to her chin in the rose-scented water.
While grateful for the time to indulge in a bath, at the same time she was oddly anxious to get their vow-taking over with.
It wasn’t just the temptation of being held in Flaherty’s embrace as he bombarded her senses with his passionate kisses, but the prospect of being married to the man.
He’d teased her with hints of what he would do when they met in the marriage bed, suggested that he would dial back on his need to tell her what to do.
Reconsidering his dictate that she not work at the tavern anymore was a huge concession.
She wondered how many more he would make before he put his foot down.
It would only be right if she made a few concessions of her own.
Thinking of the way Flaherty had changed his mind, she wondered if his brother or O’Ghill had anything to do with it. She would find out. O’Malley would know. If he knew, then Mollie would—since it did not directly involve their duty to protect the duke’s Cornwall properties.
She swirled the tip of her finger in the hot water, watching the rose petals form patterns, break apart, and form more.
Her mind jumped from thoughts of Flaherty changing his mind and acquiescing to her wishes—she truly enjoyed working alongside the Doyle sisters—to wondering what she would be willing to give up for him.
Her breath snagged in her breast as the answer all but smacked her in the face.
Flaherty would not even have to ask. He and O’Malley were part of the duke’s private guard.
The duke embraced his duty to both his title and his seat in the House of Lords.
His Grace would expect no less than to have Flaherty’s bride give up her evening excursions helping her father and his men with their… free trade.
She swallowed against the lump in her throat.
It would mean giving up time she spent with her father.
Eileen didn’t act as lookout because she wanted to ensure she got a share of the smuggled goods, nor did she drive the wagon filled with ill-gotten gains to enjoy their spoils.
She gave up her evenings to be with her father, to ensure nothing untoward happened to him under the cover of darkness.
From the moment her mother let go of her tenuous hold on life and slipped away, Eileen had vowed to see to it that nothing happened to her father. She could not bear it.
The longer she thought about it, the more she realized that she would need to set aside the time to visit with her father during the day.
To continue with her nighttime excursions, aiding her father and his men in breaking the law, while married to one of the Duke of Wyndmere’s private guards was unconscionable.
She would have to tell Flaherty, so that he would not have to ask her to do so.
A soft knock sounded on the door to the dressing room. “May I come in?”
Mollie’s back already? “Yes.” Eileen’s time to mull over her past was through. It was time to get ready for her future—a future that included the man who both irritated her, and dazzled her when he was kissing her breathless.
“It smells lovely in here,” Mollie said, entering and picking up the large drying cloth. “Ready to come out, dry off, and get dressed?”
Eileen blew out a breath and shook her head.
Mollie sat down on the bench next to the copper tub.
“Ah, I think I know a bit of what’s on your mind.
” Before Eileen could speak, Mollie continued, “You’re thinking that Flaherty will expect certain things from you, and you’d be right.
Finn did not have to ask if it had to do with interfering with his duties to His Grace.
To balk against it would be a slap in the face to Finn, Fenton, or any of the duke’s men. ”
“How did you know?”
Mollie smile was warm, and eased some of Eileen’s worry.
“I’ve been keeping in touch with the other O’Malley wives, as well as wives of the hardheaded Garahans, and three Flaherty brides before you.
Now that you’ll be joining our ranks, you will be included in the twice-monthly round of letters.
It is how we have become more than friends—we’re sisters of the heart. ”
Eileen smiled at the thought. “I have always wanted a sister, and it is a large part of the reason I was so angry with Flaherty for assuming I’d give up my job working at the Mermaid’s Glass.
I grew up with Siobhan and Moira Doyle, and would miss not spending those hours we worked together.
The daily chores involved in running our fathers’ households doesn’t leave much time for visiting.
Our time at the tavern is when we have the chance to catch up. ”
Mollie rose from the bench, holding the cloth up again. This time, Eileen didn’t hesitate, standing and pulling the cloth around her. As she dried off, Mollie asked, “Will you be staying with your da, rearranging things in the barracks, or moving here?”
Eileen moved behind the dressing screen, draped the damp cloth over the top, and pulled the fresh chemise over her head, inhaling the scent of rosemary. It calmed her. She was reminded of her mother, who’d used the herb when making soap.
Her thoughts drifted as she let Mollie help her don the gown she would wear to marry Flaherty.
She would need to prepare more of her mother’s special herb-infused oil.
Their supply of soap was in need of replenishing, as well as the rosemary water she used to rinse her hair after washing it.
The time-consuming chore might keep her busy while her husband was on patrol in and around the village.
She sat to pull on her stockings, securing them with bright blue ribbon garters.
She would need to make twice as much soap so that Da would have a supply…
Who would clean their cottage and keep him fed once she wed Flaherty?
She would have to ask Moira or Siobhan if they knew of anyone looking for work.
“Are you still angry with Flaherty for not telling you about their ruse and the wake?”
Eileen’s mind had settled now that she had an idea of how to solve the issue of cleaning two households.
Though, in truth, if they lived in the manor house for a time, as Flaherty suggested, she would not be the only one cleaning it.
“Actually, Fenton mentioned that he’d ask if we could stay here until he had a cottage built for us. ”
Mollie nodded. “I’m quite certain that the duke will be expecting you to.
Stay as long as you like and know that you will be welcome.
We can split the household duties between the staff and ourselves.
” When Eileen nodded, Mollie added, “Please do not be angry with Flaherty for keeping the ruse of his wake from you. Finn kept it from me as well.”
That surprised Eileen—didn’t husbands tell wives everything? Her thoughts drifted back in time, and she realized her father may not have confided everything about his smuggling to her mother—for her safety. “Didn’t he trust you?” she asked.
Mollie sighed. “It is his vow of honor to the duke. Anything that involves their duties is sacrosanct and not to be discussed with anyone other than his brothers or cousins in the duke’s guard.
Give yourself time to adjust. Flaherty will be adjusting, too.
My sisters-in-law have asked more than once how I managed to accept not being informed of my husband’s duties and assignments. ”
Interest piqued, Eileen asked, “What did you tell them?”
“Not accepting Finn’s vow to the duke and dedication to his duties would be not to accept the very heart of him. They are so tightly emmeshed, twined together, that they cannot be separated. I would give my life for Finn, as I would give it for our daughter.”
Mollie’s words settled like a balm over Eileen, soothing frazzled nerves, quieting worries. “Thank you.”
Mollie waved away the thanks and put her hands on her hips, studying Eileen. “What will we do with all that hair?”
Eileen smiled. “Part of it is still damp from when it slipped from its pins into the tub.”
“It has a lovely curl to it. Why don’t you let me fashion a loose braid for you? I could leave a few strands to frame your face, and a few to distract Flaherty, as they curl against your neck, draping the braid over one shoulder.”
“I’m not sure I’m all that distracting,” Eileen murmured.
“Fenton only offered to marry me once he heard how the rumors he had not intended to start were being whispered in and around the village.” She bit her lip.
“And after I pulled him out of the waves. My father helped me drag him above the waterline. Once I helped push the water out of him, Da remarked on Flaherty seeing my gown plastered to me after I dove in to save his life, and that he’d best be keeping his word. ”
Mollie understood. “That he would of course marry you. Anyone could have seen you that night and speak of it.”
“Aye,” Eileen agreed. “So other than a few heated kisses…”
Mollie paused to pull a strand free from the braid she’d fashioned. “Ah, so there’s heat between you.”
“More than I could imagine.”
“’Tisn’t a bad start, and nothing to be ashamed of.” Mollie pulled a few more strands free and left them to curl however they would. She stepped back to survey her work. “You look stunning. Flaherty will be speechless when he sees you.”
Eileen snorted. “I highly doubt that. The man is never without words.”
Mollie gave a self-satisfied smile. “You’ll see.”
Eileen shook her head at Finn’s wife, all the while wondering about the night ahead of her.
At the heavy knock on the door, Mollie smiled. “That will be Finn and your father, come to fetch you.” She hugged Eileen, then stepped back. “Are you ready to get married?”
Eileen’s throat tightened with emotions trying to push to the surface. She managed to corral those emotions and reply, “I am.”
“Wonderful.” Mollie walked to the door, opened it, and smiled. “We’re ready!”
“You are beautiful, Eileen,” her father said, entering. “Your bridegroom is pacing in front of the fireplace in the sitting room. We best not keep him waiting.”
“A little pacing, worrying, and wondering if Eileen’s changed her mind will be good for me eedjit cousin,” O’Malley said, offering his arm to his wife.
Mollie smiled and slipped her arm through his. “She won’t.”
“I know I all but forced Flaherty to marry you, the night of the storm,” Doonan said, “but if you do not want to marry the man, after he kept you in the dark about the rumors, the wake, and—”
Eileen interrupted her father. “I understand that there will be many times in the future when he won’t be able to confide his assignments and duties to me. It’s part of his vow to the duke.”
“Aye, lass,” O’Malley agreed. “That it will be. I’ve known Flaherty more than half me life, Doonan.
Ye have no worries. He’s so far gone over yer daughter that he forgets what he’s saying halfway through a sentence, walks into a room, and walks back out.
” Turning back to Eileen, he said, “Flaherty couldn’t have told ye even if he wanted to.
It would have compromised that part of our mission. ”
“Which was?” Doonan asked.
O’Malley’s face lost all expression. “To verify the name of the man—or men—who attempted to take his life that night on the cliff, and later at Penwith Tower.”
“And you have,” Doonan said.
“Aye,” O’Malley agreed. “That we have. Now then, we’d best go save me cousin from his worry that ye’ve changed yer mind, lass.”
Eileen drew in a breath and slowly exhaled. “I’m ready, but I’m not sure Fenton knows just what he’s getting into.”
Her father chuckled. “I think he does.”
O’Malley snickered, and Eileen said, “He’ll be getting far more than he bargained for.”
“There’s my girl. Just don’t drive the man to drink for at least a fortnight, if you can help it.”
She smiled. “Yes, Da.”