what you say about me. But leave Emma's name out of this
scandalous talk."
Emma surprised him by laying a hand on his arm and smiling at her
sister-in-law. "What you suggest happens to be very true, Briana."
At that, Briana managed a half smile. "Thank you, Emma. Your
honesty is refreshing."
She turned to Keane, who had remained silent through this exchange.
Pressing the tip of her sword to his chest she said, "Now we will talk
about you, my lord. You think you know what is best for me? That
you can decide, without consulting me, what will make me happy?"
"I saw your tears, Briana, when you first saw your home. And I saw
the love in your eyes when you were surrounded by your family. Can
you deny those feelings?"
"Nay. I love Ballinarin. And all who dwell here. And will for all my
life. But that doesn't change the way I feel about you. And I know that
you feel the same way about me. Can you deny it?"
When he said nothing, her smile flashed in triumph "You see? You
cannot say the words, for you know them to be a lie. Without me,
what would your life be like now? It was I who persuaded you to
teach villagers to defend themselves. Was I not right to do so?"
"Aye." He watched her, loving the way the morning sunlight turned
her hair to fire and her eyes to gold.
"Was I wrong to persuade you to go to England and reclaim your
daughter?"
"Nay, Briana." She was so magnificent, she took his breath away.
"You were not wrong."
"Then what must I do to persuade you to admit your love for me,
Keane?"
"You can begin by lowering that damnable sword."
"Nay. It is my only power. Without it..."
He caught her by surprise, dragging her close and wrenching the
weapon from her hand. He tossed it aside with a clatter, muttering,
"Woman, haven't you yet figured out your true source of power? It's
this." He drew her firmly against him and kissed her until they were
both breathless.
Oh, how long he had wanted, needed this. Just touching her had the
heat rising, the blood surging through his veins.
As for Briana, she was so stunned, all she could do was cling to him.
She had been so desperately afraid. Afraid that her bold confrontation
would only drive him further from her.
When at last he lifted his head, he was aware that the entire household
was staring at them in stunned silence.
He flashed a wicked smile. "Well, it would seem my plans have
changed again." In one smooth leap he pulled himself onto her
stallion's back, then reached down and lifted her into his arms. "And
it would seem, Gavin, that Briana has seen through all of us. If she
can forgive me all the sins of my past, as she has forgiven you, what
choice have I except to do her bidding?"
"Where are you going?" Gavin demanded.
"For now, we're going to find a quiet place where we can finish
this...lover's quarrel, and come to some sort of understanding."
"And then?" Gavin shouted.
"Then, I think you and the good friar had better plan a wedding. The
sooner the better." He wheeled his mount. "And Gavin, I'll expect a
very large dowry to take this troublesome lass off your hands."
With a clatter of hooves he urged the horse across the courtyard, then
headed toward a distant meadow.
When the others were far behind, he brought the animal to a halt and
slid from the saddle, still cradling Briana in his arms.
"A very large dowry to take me off my father's hands. I can't believe
you really..." The words died in her throat as he covered her mouth
with his.
"God in heaven, Briana," he muttered inside her mouth. "Have you no
mercy? I'm starved for the touch of you, the taste of you."
"Oh, Keane. No more than I. But I need to know. Did you mean it
when you spoke of a wedding? I need to know our future...."
"This is our future," he muttered against her mouth, as he took it with
a savageness that made them tremble. "You are my future, Briana
O'Neil. From this day on, there is no past." They came together in a
firestorm of passion, unlike any they'd known before. And as he lost
himself in her he whispered fiercely, ' 'There is only tomorrow. And
all the tomorrows of our lives."
Epilogue
The chapel at Ballinarin, the ancestral home of the clan O'Neil, was
filled to overflowing with family and friends who had come from as
far as Malahide Castle in Dublin, and Bunratty Castle in Clare. The
mood was festive as they prepared to witness the union of Briana
O'Neil, only daughter of Gavin and Moira, and Keane O'Mara, Lord
Alcott, rumored to be one of the wealthiest men in Ireland, and one of
its greatest patriots.
In a small room off the chapel, Briana, wearing a gown of white,
stood quietly, head bowed, lips moving. Sunlight spilling through a
high, narrow stained- glass window bathed her in a rainbow of colors.
"Praying, are you?"
At the sound of Rory's voice, she looked up, then hurried forward.
"Memorizing what I want to say to Keane."
"You needn't put yourself through so much trouble, little sister."
"And why not?"
He caught her hands and held her a little away, looking her up and
down with approval. "When he sees you looking this beautiful, every
single thought will go out of his brain. The poor fool won't know what
happened until it's too late."
"Oh, you." She hugged him, and he drew her close to press a kiss to
her temple.
"I still can't believe my little sister is all grown up and getting
married."
' 'If you tell me one more time about how you used to carry me around
on your back and be my obedient horse, I may have to throttle you."
"And ruin that lovely gown?" He laughed. But there was a twinge of
sadness in his smile. "I hope you know that if you ever need me, for
any reason, you need only send me a missive and I'll be at your side."
She pressed her forehead to his. "Still my hero, are you?" •
"Aye. And ashamed of how I let you down."
"You didn't, Rory. I know you were just looking out for me."
He swallowed, too overcome to say more. "I'd better join AnnaClaire.
She has her hands full these days with young Patrick. I'll probably
have to take him out of chapel halfway through the service." He
squeezed her hand. "Be happy, Briana."
She nodded and watched him walk away. Minutes later she looked up
to see Conor standing in the doorway, studying her in silence.
"I've just left Keane," he said as he walked toward her. "And if it's any
consolation, he's as nervous as I was on my wedding day. Like a
warrior about to taste his first battle."
She caught his hand, and offered her cheek for his quick kiss. "That
doesn't sound like Keane.""You don't understand what marriage does
to a man. Or rather the thought of a marriage ceremony, with pomp
and pageantry and all."
"Would you do it again, Conor?"
He laughed and nodded. "Aye. For Emma. For myself, I'd rather be
run over by a carri
age."
Brother and sister shared an easy laugh. He took both her hands in his
and lifted them to his lips. "I haven't been much of a brother to you
these last years, Briana."
"You had no choice. I wasn't here."
"But I immersed myself in my own life, and gave little thought to
what you were going through. I hope you and Keane will visit us
often. I want us to have what we once did."
"I'd like that, too." She brushed a kiss over his cheek. "Even when
we're apart, we'll always have something special that binds us
together."
"Aye."
They both looked up at a timid knock on the door. Seeing Innis,
Conor bid goodbye, leaving his sister alone with the lad who had once
been her dearest friend.
"Innis." She hurried to his side and looped her arm through his. "I'd
hoped you'd come to see me before the ceremony."
"We've seen little enough of each other since you've returned."
"Aye. My fault, I'm afraid. There was so much to catch up on. And
the plans for the wedding."
"And Keane."
"Aye. And Keane." She waited a moment, then took a breath. "You
don't approve?"
He shrugged. "It isn't for me to say. Rory and Conor seem to like him
well enough. Even your father's come around."
"But not you?"
"It isn't Keane. He seems a decent sort. It's..." He disengaged his arm
from hers and crossed to the table, where her veil and prayer book
lay. His big, work- worn fingers played with the edge of the veil. "I'd
always thought..." He tried again. "When you went away, I thought
I'd die of loneliness."
"I know. It was the same for me. At least you had Rory and Conor and
their wives. And all the lads from the village."
He looked up. Met her direct gaze. "They weren't you."
And then she understood.
"Oh, Innis." She stood where she was, afraid to go to him. Afraid to
touch him. He was so grown up now. Almost a man. With a man's
feelings. She knew that she had to tread carefully. "Of all the things
taken from me, losing you was the worst, Innis. You were my best
friend. The brother I chose, rather than the ones given me by my
family. The one I always opened my heart to. We stood together,
against the others. The two outcasts. Remember? You, because you
were the only survivor of your clan. And I, because I wanted so
desperately to have what my brothers had."
"Aye." He nodded. "That's it. We always stood together. And when
you were sent away, I was more alone than ever. And I used to dream
of storming the abbey and rescuing you from that horrible life." He
ducked his head. "It shames me to admit that I never even tried."
"Shame? Oh, no, Innis." She did go to him then, and threw her arms
around his neck, hugging him fiercely. "We'll never know what might
have been, if we'd never been separated. But this is now. I'm so
happy. And I want you to be happy with me."
"What's this?"
At the stern voice from the doorway they both looked up. Keane was
studying them with a frown. "I leave my bride-to-be alone for a
moment and find her in the arms of this handsome lad."
Even though he blushed clear to his toes, Innis felt a sense of
satisfaction, that a man like Keane O'Mara would consider him a
threat.
"I hope you just came in here to wish Briana luck."
"Aye." The lad leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. His big hand
squeezed her shoulder and suddenly he meant every word. "Luck and
love, Briana."
"Thank you, Innis. You know I wish you the same. Always."
As the lad brushed past him Keane said, "There's a lovely lass out
there with pale yellow hair and dimples in each cheek, who's been
asking for a certain lad she claims is the finest horseman in all of
Ballinarin. Would that be you, Innis?"
His smile brightened considerably. "Lindsay. Aye. I've been teaching
her to ride."
"You'd best be careful, Innis." Keane winked and offered his hand.
"I've seen what a dimpled smile can do to a man's heart."
"Aye." The lad accepted his handshake, and even clapped him on the
shoulder. Then, with a quick glance-toward Briana, he was gone.
Keane barely noticed his exit. He was too busy staring at the vision
before him. "Ah, Briana. I've never seen you looking so lovely."
"You weren't supposed to see me until I walked to the altar."
"I couldn't wait. I had to see you this minute. Or die."
With a laugh she walked closer, touched a hand to his forehead. "I
believe you do have a slight fever."
"Slight? I'm burning up. And feel this?" He caught her hand, placed it
over his heart.
"Oh, my. It's racing like a runaway team."
"Aye. I'm not sure I'll make it through the ceremony. I think we
should sneak away right now. We could have a village priest marry us
on the way back to Carrick."
"I never took you for a coward, Keane O'Mara."
"You see? This is what you'll be stuck with for a lifetime. Maybe
you'd better reconsider."
She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. ' 'Not on your
life. I went through too much to get you here. I'm not letting you get
away now."
Against her lips he muttered, "Tell me. Did Mother Superior have an
uplifting sermon for such an occasion as this?"
Her cheeks turned nearly as red as her hair. "I must confess
something." She was so embarrassed, she didn't notice the way his
mouth curved with humor. "I hated the sound of Mother Superior's
voice. She was constantly preaching. And so I learned to close my
mind to her, and take myself off in memory back to Ballinarin, riding
across the green meadows with Innis and Rory and Conor. I... made
up most of those things I attributed to her."
He did smile then. And pressed his lips to hers as he whispered,
"You're not a very good liar, Briana ! figured it out a long time
ago.""You...knew I was lying?"
He touched a finger to her mouth, and felt the heat growing. "Aye.
But you were such a joy to watch, I didn't have the heart to tell you.
Oh, my beautiful, clever little Briana. What a wonderful delight you
are. I can see that my life is always going to be filled with sweet
surprises."
A shadow fell over them and they looked up to see Gavin O'Neil
standing in the doorway, glowering at them.
"Could the two of you keep your hands off each other until after the
ceremony? It's about to begin. The bishop's here and a cardinal from
Rome. I thought I'd bring them in to talk to the two of you about
your...marital duties and such."
Briana grinned, while Keane nearly choked.
"Nay, Father. I'll not speak to the bishop or the cardinal. I've told you
before. They are free to assist at the Mass. But I want Friar Malone to
be the one to say the words."
"Now, about this other business..." Gavin flushed. "Your mother tells
me I'll not be giving you to your husband."
"Nay, Father. I give myself. Freely. Besides, I've just decided
something. I wish to walk up the aisle beside Keane,
carrying Alana
in my arms. We're a family, now. I want the whole world to know it."
"You'll scandalize the entire congregation, Briana."
"Aye, Father. I probably will. But it will be nothing new, will it?"
Gavin glared and turned to Keane, "I should be grateful you're taking
this obstinate little female off my hands."
"Aye. You should indeed." Keane caught her hand and brought it to
his lips while he smiled into her eyes. "And when she fills my home
with children, I'll expect their grandfather to be as generous as he was
with the dowry."
"You drive a hard bargain, Keane O'Mara."
"I had a good teacher, Gavin O'Neil."
"Come along, then. Let's finish this thing you've started."
As he turned away, Briana called, "Wait, Father."
He turned. She crossed to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'll miss our battles," she murmured against his cheek.
"As will I." He drew her into his arms and closed his eyes for a
moment, remembering the wee lass who used to snuggle against him
just this way. She would, for all time, have the ability to tug at his
heart. Or break it. "Know that I love you, Briana."
"And I love you, Father."
He turned away, brushing a tear from his eye.
The sound of a harp could be heard, filling the chapel with the
sweetest of music.
Mistress Malloy and Vinson paused in the doorway and watched as
Keane took Briana's hand.
"Excuse me," the housekeeper said. "I've brought Alana, as you
asked, to watch from my arms as her father is wed."
"Thank you, Mistress Malloy. But I've changed my mind. She won't
watch from afar. She'll be part of it. As she will always be a part of
our lives."
Briana took the infant from her hands and cuddled her close. At once
the little girl closed her chubby fist around a red curl and made soft
cooing noises.
While Keane watched, the housekeeper lifted the veil from the table
and settled it over Briana's head.
"Nay, Mistress Malloy. Lift it away from my face."
"But it isn't proper to show the bride's face before the ceremony."
"I don't want to hide, Mistress Malloy. I want to see where I'm going."
She shot a quick brilliant smile at Keane. "And who I'm going with."
Keane threw back his head and chuckled. "I'd expect no less from
you, my love."
The housekeeper did as she was told, then watched as Keane and