The Irish Upstart (41 page)

She would leave tomorrow, quietly, with as little fanfare as possible. As for Thomas, she hoped he understood she was going home, that nothing could stop her and that she never would return to England.

When she arrived at Aldershire Manor, she was met by Pierce, the elderly butler, who asked if he could speak to her alone.

“
It’s the young master, Miss. You asked me to tell you if there were any further problems. Boys will be boys, and I hate to complain, but we’ve had another incident where he’s treated one of the servants abominably. If it were only me, I would not say a word, but when he yells at a young footman who was only trying to please, it’s quite out of line.
”

“
Thank you, Pierce. You needn’t say another word. The matter will be taken care of.
”

That settled it. She would not return alone to Ireland. She would take Patrick with her, back where he belonged.

* * *
 
                                       

Lord Trevlyn regarded Evleen aghast.
“
Your going back to Ireland is bad enough, but Patrick? How could you do such a thing after all I’ve done for the boy?
”

“
I know, sir, but you see
...”
For at least the third time, she explained to Lord Trevlyn her reasons for wanting to go home, although she was careful not to mention Thomas.
“
And I must take Patrick, at least for a while. Don’t you see I have no choice, sir?
Every day he’s here I see him becoming more vain, arrogant, and selfish. Only the firm hand of his mother can set him straight.
”

Lord Trevlyn regarded her sadly.
“
You realize, if Patrick doesn’t stay, I’m within my rights to cancel that fifty pounds a year I promised your family.
”

“
We managed without it before. We can manage without it again.
”

“
Will you send him back to me?
”

“
Of course, when and if he mends his ways.
”
She eyed him boldly.
“
You promised, sir, and don’t forget, you said you’d pay our return passage.
”

“
Hmm... so I did. All right then, go back to Ireland. Patrick’s a fine young man. Let him listen to his mother. There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll mend his ways and then you can send him back.
”
He regarded her quizzically.
“
And you?
”

“
Never,
”
she replied vehemently.
“
With all due respect, sir, I’ve had my fill of the ton and all their vainness and silly, useless rules.
”

“
You’re aware you cannot journey to Ireland alone. You’ll need a chaperone.
”

“
No, we don’t. We shall go by ourselves.
”

“
Absolutely not,
”
Lord Trevlyn said in a voice that brooked no further argument.
“
A young lady and a boy traveling clear across England and Wales, then crossing the Irish Sea, most certainly need protection. I shall send... by Gad, I know who can do it. My brother, Walter, will accompany you.
”

She knew further protest was futile. Besides, she liked poor, hen-pecked Walter well enough.
“
All right then, it’s settled.
”

“
When will you leave?
”

“
First thing tomorrow morning.
”
She gave him a rueful smile.
“
You’ve been wonderful, Lord Trevlyn, and I much appreciate what you’ve done for us, but I know now England is not for me.
”

He returned her smile and nodded graciously.

Strange, she thought as she left the room, Lord Trevlyn was not nearly as upset as she thought he would be. Did he know something she did not? It was if he didn’t believe she really planned to leave.

Chapter 17

By dawn’s first light, Evleen was packed and ready to leave. Even though doubts assailed her, she could hardly wait to remove herself from this cruel, uncaring country and return to her beloved Ireland. She felt little joy, though. Mama would be crushed that her eldest daughter had not found that rich, titled Englishman. And then there was Thomas. She felt an acute sense of loss, just thinking about him. In her heart she knew she could never love another man and doubtless would stay single for the rest of her days.

Downstairs, she found Patrick dressed, ready, and in high spirits. He had shown no great regret when she told him they were leaving England.
“
I shall miss Grandfather,
”
he said, but then his eyes lit as he added,
“
I can hardly wait to see Mama and the girls again.
”

They ate a quick breakfast. Afterwards, followed by a footman hauling their luggage, as well as Lord Trevlyn himself, they made their way to the marbled front portico where Lord Trevlyn’s coach awaited.

“
I wish you Godspeed on your journey,
”
Lord Trevlyn said brightly after hugging Patrick and pecking Evleen on the cheek.
“
Patrick, always take pride in who you are. Never forget you are not simple Patrick O’Fallon, but Viscount Montfret, heir to my estate and title.
”

At another time, Evleen would have protested Lord Trevlyn’s admonishment to Patrick. She would have ardently proclaimed that pride in one’s inherited title was misplaced. Far better for Patrick if he took pride in his honor, integrity, and the manner in which he conducted himself, and that included his treatment of his so-called inferiors. But the old man meant well. He had been part of this stilted, vainglorious society all his life, and knew no other. Strange, how little upset he seemed. She had expected he would be distraught his grandson was leaving, but instead he appeared exceedingly cheerful.

“
Where is Walter?
”
she asked.

“
Er... you’ll find your escort inside my coach. Er, goodbye, my children.
”
With obvious haste, Lord Trevlyn retreated inside his mansion. Surprising. She would have thought he would stay to wave goodbye.

The footman opened the coach door. Someone was sitting there, she assumed Walter. She was half-way inside when she looked into his face and got such a jolt she gasped. It wasn’t Walter, it was Thomas.

“
You,
”
she said, frozen half-way in, half-way out.

He
sat
there grinning at her, one boot jauntily propped on the seat across.
“
Ah, good morning, Miss O’Fallon. Fleeing to Ireland, are we?
”

She stepped back out of the coach and glared at him.
“
What are you doing here? Where is Walter?
”

“
Alas, Walter was busy, so I volunteered to take his place.
”

“
You mean... oh no
!
Surely you’re aware by now what your father told me. Why are you doing this? There’s no point.
”

His grin disappeared. He sprang lightly from the coach and standing close, took both her hands.
“
You’re making a mistake. Don’t go. There’s nothing we cannot work out.
”

She jerked her hands away.
“
I am indeed going to Ireland, but not with you. Patrick and I are quite capable of going by ourselves.
”

“
That may very well be, but if you do go alone, it won’t be in this fine coach. Lord Trevlyn insists you have an escort.
”
He cocked an amused eyebrow at her.
“
Alas, it appears the only suitable escort available is me.
”

“
I won’t go with you!
”

“
Ah, but you will
.
I give you my word I shall be the perfect gentleman, just as before. Not only that, I promise I’ll say nothing more to dissuade you from returning to your home.
”

“
Please, can’t Lord Thomas come?
”
begged Patrick, who had been listening wide-eyed.

“
Well
...”
S
he felt herself weakening.

“
Who knows the roads better than I? asked Thomas.
“
Who knows how to get to Holyhead and find a boat?
”
An amused gleam filled his eyes.
“
Who else will take care of you when you’re heaving over the side?
”

“
Oh, very funny,
”
she retorted, unamused. He had a point, though. She could not picture Walter comforting her as Thomas had done. The timid little man would no doubt himself be heaving. Still...

“
You and Lord Trevlyn plotted this together,
”
she accused.

“
Of course,
”
he instantly admitted.
“
We don’t want you to go, Evleen, but if you do, I promise, I shall be the perfect escort.
”

“
Then... oh, all right, I suppose I must.
”
But I don’t have to like it
.
She would be civil to him, and barely polite, but would keep her distance, mentally if not physically, and most certainly not indulge in any sort of personal conversation.
“
But I w
a
rn you, Lord Thomas, nothing on this earth can make me change my mind.
”

Thomas only smiled and had no answer.

* * *
 
                                       

Thomas remained true to his word on their trip across England. Always his charming self, he was helpful, courteous, and always amusing, but not one personal word crossed his lips.

Evleen remained aloof much of the day, constantly reviewing in her mind that terrible scene with Thomas’s father. The coach was well past Shrewsbury before her curiosity got the better of her.
“
Why are you doing this, Lord Thomas?
”
Quickly she corrected herself.
“
Lord Eddington, I mean.
”

“
You need not be so formal
.
”
He was sitting across, so he was able to look her square in the eye.
“
Actually, ‘Thomas’ would do, if you could possibly bring yourself to be that informal.
”

“
You have answered my question, Lord Eddington
.
”

“
Ah, so that’s the way it is,
”
he said, amused.
“
Well, then, Miss O’Fallon, has it crossed your mind that I am here because I care enough to be concerned?
”

“
Totally unnecessary.
”

“
Not unnecessary at all. According to Lord Trevlyn, you’re a delicate flower who could not possibly be allowed to travel alone.
”

She bristled.
“
Delicate flower indeed.
”
She noticed the mischievous gleam in his eye.
“
You weren’t serious.
”

“
Of course not. God help anyone who gets in your way.
”

“
You are absolutely right,
”
she replied, flinging the words at him.
“
There’s never a need to worry about me.
”

“
So true,
”
he replied agreeably.
“
Actually I foresee a marvelous future for you in Ireland.
”

“
And what might that be?
”

“
You will marry that fine, upstanding Irishman, Timothy Murphy. You will have at least ten children—make that a dozen. You will live to a ripe old age and become the wizened old oracle of County Clair, dispensing sage advice far and wide. They’ll be beating a path to your door. They—
”

“
I get the point,
”
she said, not at all amused. Oh, he could be so exasperating! She knew she shouldn’t bother to defend herself, but he needed to be set straight.
“
For your information, I shall never marry Timothy Murphy.
”