Samantha James Read Online Free

on his knees. Maura had almost hated herself for what she was doing—in all the days of her life, Murdoch and Jen had never spent a night apart.
    She’d almost been relieved when the driver gave a crack of the whip. She waved to the assemblage. Patrick swept off his hat and offered a swaggering bow. Toothless Nan gave her a wink. Her pulse speeding up, she in turn gave Nan a tiny little nod.
    And then they’d set off, en route to the Baron of Killane’s estate.
    Almost from the night her father died, Maura’s mind had been working furiously. Somehow she had to get to Scotland—to the Duke of Gleneden’s estate. She weighed several possibilities. What if she were to pass herself off as a distant relation? Too risky, she decided, for several reasons. He might not believe her. Plus she had no way of making certain she could manage an invitation. Even if she did, it would likely be for only several days, at best, and she had no idea how long it might take to find the Circle.
    What if she landed a position in his household staff? Ah, but what if there were no positions available? Provided she did manage to secure one, what if she ended up as a scullery maid? But such a post would doubtless offer no chance for her to search for the Circle. Even a position as a housemaid might not give her the opportunity she needed.
    And what she needed was the ability to roam about freely, wherever she wished. Whenever she wished.
    Maura recalled what the newspaper had stated: One cannot help but wonder if the dashing Black Scotsman will capture the hearts of our Irishlasses as surely as he has captured many a heart in his homeland.
    It simply would not leave her mind. And with that in mind, she had conceived her plan…
    Her first obstacle was getting herself into the Baron of Killane’s masquerade. The second—and this the hardest!—would require boldness and daring. It involved a very great risk.
    A very great deal of luck, for everything had to fall perfectly into place!
    A very great deal of boldness and daring.
    She was prepared to take that chance. Within her breast beat an unwavering resolve.
    She would do whatever she must to find and bring home the Circle of Light.
    With a stash of funds from her father’s room, she and Murdoch had taken modest lodgings at a hotel not far from the baron’s estate. During the journey, she had purchased several new gowns, and saw to it that Murdoch was fitted with several new suits of clothing as well. For her plan to succeed, Murdoch had to appear a proper gentleman. Luckily, he needed little training in manners and the like. Though Maura’s father did not insist on formality, both Jen and Murdoch were familiar with the proper deportment when needed. Their first position before being hired by Maura’s parents had been with the Earl of Rawlins in County Cavan.
    “Murdoch!” she’d chuckled after commanding him to show her one of the new suits. “Oh, if Jen could see you now! I vow you’d take her breath away as you did those many years ago!”
    “It is indeed my breath that causes me worry,” he’d grumbled, running a finger between his stock and his throat. “It reminds me most heartily that if your father had insisted I dress like this day in and day out, my time in his employ might never have landed beyond a week!”
    “Oh, cease!” Maura had given him a mock frown. Both Murdoch and Jen were more family than servants. “I,” she said rather airily, “maintain that you look quite handsome”—she pretended to flick off a wad of wool from his sleeve—“my dearest uncle.”
    It was crucial that they arrive early so they might ferret out what information they could about the Baron of Killane. It was Murdoch who discovered at a pub in the next village that the baron was elderly; his wife, Lorraine, had been dead for nearly a decade.
    Perhaps it was rash. Perhaps it was foolish to think that she could gain entrance to the ball. But by Jove, she would sneak in if she had to.
    They