Teaser Chapter
Lady Eliza Blacknall slipped through the front doors of her home at Killinan Castle. The evening was still and clear but cool, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself as she sat down on a marble bench.
Suddenly, strong, warm fingers slid over her eyes, and the light scent of soap and new wool tickled her nose. Her heart skipped, then pounded in her breast, so hard she was sure everyone could hear it.
“Pence for your thoughts,” a low, rough voice whispered.
Eliza reached up and caught those hands in her own, holding them tightly as she twisted around on the bench. Their owner smiled down at her, all golden hair and gleaming blue-green eyes in the shadows.
“Will!” she cried out, too loudly. Lowering her voice, she leaned closer and whispered, “Will, what are you doing here? We might be seen.”
“Seen by whom? The moon? The stars?” As he spoke, a cloud slid in front of the moon, leaving them in the haven of darkness.
Will sat down beside her, twining his fingers tighter with hers. He raised her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her fingers.
“Can you come riding tomorrow?” he murmured.
“I don’t think so,” she said reluctantly. “I have to have tea with my mother and Lady Mount Clare. But the next day I could.”
As she spoke, the clouds slid from the moon, and its chalky light streamed down over their hidden garden. That was when she saw it.
Will wore the scarlet coat of the Thirteenth Regiment of Foot. An English regiment. A cold wave seemed to break over her at the sight of that hated coat. Her skin turned to ice, and she leaped up from the bench to move away from him.
“You—you purchased your commission?” she said, her voice strained.
Will frowned, tucking his hands behind his back as if he too felt the sudden chill. “Of course. My family has long intended me for the army. This is the best way for me to make my way in the world. Surely you see that?”
All Eliza could really see was that he was leaving.
“Eliza,” he said coaxingly. “The regiment is being sent to the West Indies. May I write to you?”
“I don’t think my parents would allow that,” she said.
“When have you ever cared what your parents allowed?” he said with a puzzled laugh.
True enough. Her parents seemed to lecture all the time about proper behavior and family honor, and she seldom listened. But maybe it was time she started paying heed.
“You are thinking of your future,” she said. “I must think of mine. And mine is here, in Ireland.”
And she turned and walked quickly away from him, hurrying toward the lighted edifice of Killinan Castle. It looked just the same as ever. Yet, even though she had only been gone half an hour, she felt completely changed.
