To Tempt an Irish Rogue by Kaitlin O'Riley Page B

Mara’s sake as well as his own. And each day he spent out of that sickening atmosphere strengthened his resolve that he had made the right choice. Mara seemed a little happier. And he felt lighter than he had in years. In fact, since the day he married Margaret.
    The simple pleasure of walking in a park on a summer day in the company of a beautiful girl renewed his sense of hope that he could get out of the tangled nightmare his life had become.
    The three of them continued strolling through the shady park, pausing from time to time for Mara to look at some flowers. His daughter picked a handful of daisies and Declan ended up carrying the book for her. They walked out of the park to a nearby restaurant that Paulette was familiar with, which she declared served the best ice cream in the city. Seated at a small outdoor table, they enjoyed their vanilla dessert served in pretty glass dishes. Mara was especially taken with the creamy sweetness and ate more than Declan had seen her consume in her life.
    “I think she likes her ice cream,” Paulette commented, with an amused smile.
    “Mara darlin’, you have some ice cream on your nose,” Declan pointed out, reaching over with his cloth napkin to wipe the cold treat from her tiny face.
    Before he could do so, Mara wiped at the vanilla ice cream with the tip of one of her chubby fingers, then shoved it in her mouth to lick off the cream. A delighted giggle escaped her once again and his heart constricted in his chest. He knew in that moment that taking her away from all the sadness at home in Cashelmore was for the best, no matter what Margaret’s family said.
    That made twice in one day that Mara had laughed. She had made a typical childish show of delight and he nearly burst with the joy of it. And all they had done was walk in the park, look at a picture book, and have some ice cream. The normalcy and ordinariness of the sunny day outdoors must have prompted the change in her.
    “You’re having a good time, aren’t you, darlin’?” he asked her with great affection. He loved her so.
    Mara looked up at him with her wide green eyes and smiled.
    “Paulette Hamilton!”
    Startled, Declan and Paulette both turned at the sound of her name. A tall and extremely good-looking gentleman with dark hair stood before them. On his arm was a gorgeous blond woman, dressed in a gown with outrageous pink ruffles.
    “Paulette, it is you!” the man exclaimed in surprise. “What are you doing here, little minx?”
    Declan’s brow raised in question. Who was this man who addressed Paulette so familiarly?
    “Jeffrey!” Paulette cried in disbeleif, her expression one of complete astonishment. Declan noted a bit of nervousness in her expression as well.
    “What a surprise to see you here!” Paulette continued. “When did you get back from France?”
    “Just yesterday. And I have presents for all of you. But first let me introduce you to my friend, Miss Francine Hunter. Miss Hunter, I’d like you to meet Miss Paulette Hamilton and . . . ?” The man glanced rather skeptically at Declan. He had a proprietary air about him that instantly put Declan on edge.
    “I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Hunter,” Paulette said with a note of amusement in her voice. “This is the Earl of Cashelmore, from Ireland, and his daughter, Lady Mara Reeves. And Lord Cashelmore, this is a dear family friend, Lord Jeffrey Eddington.”
    Declan exchanged a handshake with the man, wondering what claim he seemed to have over Paulette.
    “Are you here in London on holiday, Lord Cashelmore?” Lord Eddington asked.
    Declan bristled under the other man’s intense regard. “No, not a holiday.”
    “Then you are planning to stay here?”
    “I’m not sure how long I’ll be here,” Declan responded tersely. The man’s tone had a critical edge to it. There was not a doubt in his mind that Lord Eddington glanced disapprovingly between Paulette and Declan.
    Mara stared up at the handsome stranger with wide