The strange thing was that Scan arose early each morning before she awoke and, as a result, never witnessed her morning sickness. Every time Kate Kennedy alluded to Emerald's condition, Sean refused to even entertain the possibility that she could be with child.

When Kate hinted about Sean's reluctance to face the facts, Emerald grew fearful. Of course Sean would be displeased if she were pregnant! He would have no doubt the child was hisa"how could it be otherwise? But in the eyes of the law, the child would legally be considered Jack Raymond's. He was her husband still, after all. Emerald could only imagine how fiercely territorial Sean would feel about his own child and how intolerable it would be to have another man publically acknowledged as the father.

Perhaps it wasn't that at all. Maybe Sean didn't even like children. Could it be that the news would displease him because he didn't want to share Emerald? She would just have to give him time to get used to the idea.

Emerald smiled a secret smile. He could deny it all he wanted, but she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she and Sean FitzGerald O'Toole were making a baby together.

She decided to say nothing further. She would give him extra attention and make sure he knew that she loved him to distraction and that he was, and would always be, the keeper of her heart. In a few months, when her b.r.e.a.s.t.s ripened and her belly swelled with the fruit of their lovemaking, Sean wouldn't be able to deny the evidence of his own eyes.

Emerald sighed with contentment. She vowed to become a perfect mother. It felt so right, how could anything spoil this miracle their love had created?

23.

When the Silver Star, an O'Toole merchant ship, arrived at Greystones, her captain, Liam FitzGerald, brought numerous messages for the earl and also a letter for Emerald. Liam delivered them all to Sean; it was his decision whether his woman was allowed correspondence.

Sean weighed the letter in his hand, immediately recognizing Johnny Montague's handwriting. His shrewd mind told him exactly why Emerald's brother had sent her a letter. He found her coming from the garden, her arms filled with blazing chrysanthemums. "h.e.l.lo, my beauty. What prompts your undying pa.s.sion for flowers?"

"I never had a garden before. Our house in London was surrounded by gray pavement. Flowers only grew in parks, and when I was small I was severely chastised for picking them."

"Well, if it makes you happy, you may pick every bloom that Greystones grows. Have you seen the meadow behind the stables? It's purple with Michaelmas daisies."

"Actually, these flowers make me sad," she said softly.

"Ah, Beauty, you become more Irish every day. You have flowers nodding on every windowsill, you pick the lovely things for your heart's replenishment. You display loving hands when you pluck them; you fill up your senses when you smell their fragrance, yet now you tell me they make you sad."

"It's because they are autumn flowers. Our summer was so short.

Next thing you know, all the leaves will be falling and winter will be upon us."

To banish her melancholy he gathered her in his arms, flowers and all, and lifted her high. "Our summer was hot and sweet; never regret it, never forget it, Emerald. The memories we made will last forever." His eyes darkened with desire. "I can no longer walk through wet gra.s.s without becoming aroused. You make every season bloom for me."

As he lowered her feet to the ground, their bodies touched and Emerald knew she wanted to stay in his arms forever. He reached into his shirt. "Here is a letter for you."

She gazed at it with pleasure. It was addressed to Emerald FitzGerald, rather than Montague, which immediately told her it was from Johnny. She didn't open the letter until she had put all her russet blooms in water and carried them to the library.

Then she sat down in a great leather wing chair by the window and broke the sealing wax. A second letter fell onto her lap addressed to Nan FitzGerald at Maynooth.

Dearest Emerald: Please be an angel and deliver this letter to Nan. I've never felt this way about any other girl and know in my heart that I never shall. I have agonized over whether I should see her again. It has been such a moral dilemma for me. How could I ask a FitzGerald to think kindly of a Montague after our parents'

disastrous relationship? But the truth is, I could not help myself.

Late last month, I went to Summerhill, a breeding farm in Meath, to select and pay for horses to fill an army contract. When I realized Maynooth was less than twenty miles away, I rode to see Nan. I've never acted so impulsively before.

It's torture being so far away from her, and G.o.d knows when I'll get to Ireland again.

I envy you and Sean so much. I would sell my soul for one-hundredth part of the happiness you have found together.

Your loving brother, Johnny Emerald's eyes lifted from the parchment as Sean joined her. He sat down at the library desk to read his own letters, Johnny Montague had written to him as well, but he would warrant it enclosed no love letters to pa.s.s on.

Sean's hidden amus.e.m.e.nt turned to satisfaction as he studied the information John sent him. The Heron and the Gibraltar were to pick up a total of five hundred horses at week's end from the port of Drogheda. Montague had bought them outright and would double his money when he delivered them to the army. John a.s.sured him the ships were not insured, and it went without saying that neither were the animals. The cost of insuring live cargo was exorbitant because there were always heavy losses.

Sean perused the rest of his messages before his eyes lifted to Emerald. "I have to visit Maynooth tomorrow; will you come?"

How had he known she was about to broach the subject of a visit to Maynooth? She was certain he hadn't opened her letter; she doubted he had supernatural powers, yet somehow he had discerned her need. "What made you ask?" she challenged.

He grinned at her. "A shrewd guess. I know who wrote your letter." He held up his own. "His writing is familiar to me. Early last month I threw Johnny and Nan FitzGerald together. The inevitable happened; I believe your brother is smitten."

"Let me finish for you," Emerald said. "You concluded a brother wouldn't bother writing to his sister unless he had an ulterior motive, and when you saw me biting my lip, wondering how I was going to deliver the love letter, you offered to take me to Maynooth!"

Sean pulled her up into his arms. "When I see you bite your lip, it gives me very wicked ideas."

"Stop this minute. How am I to face the FitzGerald females?"

He took her hands, spread them wide, and looked down at her. "You are a match for any woman breathing, not only in beauty, but in wit, intelligence, and confidence. Don't pretend you haven't the courage to face the FitzGeralds."

She cast him a saucy look from beneath her lashes. "I'll not only face them, I'll outface them. I, too, am a FitzGerald!"

He cupped her face. "The fairest of them all."

She stood on tiptoe to lift her mouth to his. He indulged his need for half a dozen lingering kisses before he gave her hack her words. "Stop this minute; I've pressing business."

"Indeed, sir, I can feel the evidence of it." She slipped her hand between their bodies to stroke that part of him that was suddenly demanding attention.

Sean's hands inched her skirts up her legs until he could caress bare thighs.

"I'm glad you are spending time in the library, it can be most educational."

She traced his top lip with the tip of her tongue. "Only with the proper tutor, and the right tools."

"That's true, you definitely need a desk." He lifted her so that her bare bottom sat on its polished surface. He opened her knees wide and stepped between them.

"I have a thirst for knowledge," she a.s.sured him, lifting her arms about his neck and threading her fingers into his black curls.

Sean opened his breeches and groaned as his swollen flesh sprang free of its tight constraints. "I'm a demanding teacher; I shan't spare the rod," he warned.

She arched against him teasingly, then withdrew. "Let the lesson begin."

The moment she arched her body, his hands slipped beneath her bottom cheeks to hold her imprisoned for his thrusts. He was delighted that she was uninhibited enough to let him take her here in the library where pa.s.sion had stolen upon them. Obviously he had the power to make her forget about servants, and the fact that it was the middle of the day.

They were so hot for each other that within seconds Sean, too, was oblivious of their surroundings. Their pa.s.sion built with such incredible speed, Emerald's cries of ecstasy filled his mouth. When his climax came, it was so hard, she screamed as his white-hot seed spurted into her. Her thirsty sheath closed on him tightly, draining him to the last creamy drop.

When she could think and speak again, she murmured, "Did I pa.s.s, sir?"

"c.u.m laude," he replied huskily, then added, "I must see to my other pressing business, but there will be homework tonight."

Emerald chose a few books to take up to the watchtower, then on impulse also took one of the vases of chrysanthemums.

Shamus brightened the moment he saw her. "Yer more beautiful every time I see you; my lad must be doin' something right."

She blushed, wondering if Mr. Burke had learned from Kate that she was probably with child.

"My Kathleen bloomed with radiance when she was carrying, and you're the same."

"So, you do know my secret," she said softly.

"What secret? Anyone with eyes in his head can see you ripening like a luscious fruit."

"Anyone but Sean," she said wistfully.

"What does he know; isn't it his first?" He leaned toward her as if imparting something confidential. "Men are not comfortable with the endless talk of childbearing. Ye need the women of yer family to confide in."

"I have no family."

"Don't be daft. Yer a FitzGerald; there's more women in yer clan than bees in a hive."

"And I've felt their sting . . . the FitzGerald females hate me."

"That's all ancient history; you were their rival then. Yer a rival no longer, not when yer carryin' his child. When they learn of it, the ranks of the sisterhood will close about ye to serve and protect, to coddle an' commiserate, to bully an' bless, to advise an' admire. Bless my soul, child, has no one ever taught ye these things? Do I have to play mother to ye?"

Emerald suddenly burst into tears.

"What the h.e.l.l have I done now?" he asked Paddy Burke.

Mr. Burke cleared his throat. "I think it was the bit about her mother."

"I'm sorry," Emerald whispered, wiping her tears away with her fingers. "I vowed to hate her forever for abandoning me, but I don't. I miss her so much."

Shamus and Paddy exchanged a significant look. They all knew her mother lived only thirty miles away in Wicklow. It was wrong to keep them apart, especially now Emerald was having a child. Shamus decided to speak to Sean about it. "Come, dry yer eyes. I'm expectin' a visit from the crew of the Silver Star. Us O'Tooles have a reputation for puttin' a smile on a woman's lace."

Emerald laughed then. She was willing to bet Shamus had been as big a devil as Sean in his day.

"That's better, Beauty." He winked and held up one of the books she had brought him. "We'll delve under the covers another day when we can be certain we won't be interrupted."

There was a commotion below as half a dozen sailors came laughing up the gatehouse stairs. As Emerald arose to leave, Mr. Burke followed her. "I've been meaning to have a word about Himself. He can no longer get from the bed to the chair without help. I'm almost afraid to leave him unattended."

"I'll speak to Sean. Shamus must come back to Greystones."

"He's too stubborn fer that. The young maids Kate sends up from the house are no match for him; he terrorizes them. He gets lots of company when one of the ships arrive, but in between, he's too much alone. Since you've bin here, I see how much he enjoys female company. I believe he would benefit from family visits."

"Do you mean the FitzGerald women?" Emerald asked thoughtfully.

"I do. He wouldn't be able to order a FitzGerald about, the way he does a servant."

"Sean and I are to visit Maynooth tomorrow. I'll speak to him about your suggestion, but I want you to tell him what you have told me. You have far more influence with him than I will ever have, Mr. Burke."

For the ride to Maynooth, Emerald was mounted on a placid sorrel mare who trotted along at her own slow speed, making Lucifer restless. "Devil take it, but that's a slow old jade you're riding." He grinned down at her. "I'd like to put something exciting between your legs." His grin widened. "I adore the way you blush."

" 'Tis a wonder I've any blushes left, between you and your father."

Sean's face sobered. "Paddy Burke thinks he'd benefit from the company of a lit/Gerald female."

"So do I," she said emphatically. "He's lonely, and he likes women a"a "Beautiful women," Sean amended.

"All FitzGerald women are beautiful."

"Not by any stretch of the imagination," Sean disagreed, then deliberately made an offhand remark while carefully watching her reaction. "The only two real beauties were my mother and yours."

Emerald closed her eyes at the memories he had conjured. When she opened them, he saw they were liquid with unshed tears. So, my father and Mr. Burke were right as usual, he thought silently. He made a mental calculation, then decided, As soon as this horse business is taken care of, I'll go to Wicklow and have a good long talk with Amber FitzGerald.

Even though Emerald was resplendent in a cream velvet riding habit, her braided hair fashioned into a regal coronet, her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s luscious beyond comparison, the FitzGerald women welcomed her with genuine delight. This was her first time at Maynooth, and their warm hospitality made her feel that she was one of them. Of course, Sean was now Earl of Kildare and Maynooth his. He lived openly with her at Greystones, clearly showing that Emerald was his chosen lady. And Sean's choice was their choice; it could be no other way.

She was surrounded by aunts and tried to keep their names straight as Sean introduced them in their pecking order. Emerald gave up after Maggie, Meggie, and Meagan all spoke in unison. Next came a group of younger women, all wanting to be fast friends. She saw the wicked glint in Sean's eye as he began the introductions.

"You remember Bridget? She entertained thoughts of becoming a nun once upon a time. Of course, that was before she became the mother of four."

Emerald was astounded. The young fat woman bore no resemblance to the naked nymph who had cavorted in the cabin of the Sulphur five years earlier.

Emerald realized that even though most of the cousins were now married, they and their families all dwelled at Maynooth. There was no end to the menagerie and never would be, by the look of how many offspring they had produced in the last five years!

A group of FitzGerald youths cl.u.s.tered about Scan, most hoping he would deem them old enough to crew his merchant ships. The FitzGerald females had married Murphys, Wogans, and O'Byrnes, yet still their sons and daughters were known as the FitzGeralds of Kildare.

"I shall leave you in the bosom of your family," Sean told Emerald with a straight face. "I have to make the rounds of Maynooth's tenant farms, so don't expect me until dinner tonight."

Maggie immediately took charge. "You'll be staying the night. Upstairs with ye', Fiona, an' plenish the master suite."

Emerald made eye contact with a tall, slim young woman who immediately flushed rosy as an Irish dawn. "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name."

"I'm Nan," she said softly.

Emerald liked her at once. She had a sweet face and a gentle voice. She didn't have that cheeky look about her that marked a number of the female FitzGeralds.

"Will you give me the grand tour?" Emerald requested.

"With pleasure," Nan murmured, blushing again.

"Not before you sit yourself down an' refresh yourself with a gla.s.s of wine, or do you prefer ale?" Maggie inquired.

"Ale indeed! She shall have my rose cordial," Tiara decreed, sweeping the others aside. "Nan, you may do the honors." Tiara leaned close to impart a confidence. "She has gentle handsa"clean, too, which is more than can be said for others in my court."

As Emerald sipped the delicious cordial, which most certainly contained something stronger than roses, she realized that the pecking order was set aside whenever Tiara spoke. She tucked the knowledge away for further consideration.

Tiara fair beamed upon her when Emerald held out her gla.s.s for a refill. "You are a lady with a delicate palate. There are so few of us who are both well bred and discerning." Someone made a rude noise. "You see?" Tiara said serenely.