The Sea of Love Read online

  The Sea of Love

  Sorcha MacMurrough

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  SYNOPSIS

  COPYRIGHT

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  AFTERWORD

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  Ireland, 1546

  Wrongfully accused of murder, Aidanna O'Flaherty's only ally against her evil brother-in-law Donal is the dashing English-bred aristocrat Declan Burke. Saving him from certain death, they fall in love, only to be separated when Declan is falsely accused of treason. Languishing in the Tower, Declan is powerless to assist his beloved Aidanna as she undertakes an epic struggle to expose her enemy and save her family and friends. She must race against time to prevent all she loves from being swept aside in a thunderous tide of foreign invasion….

  Finally Aidanna found Declan at the water's edge. She was just reaching out to hug him, when he turned to look at her coldly. She felt as though she had been dealt a blow to the stomach as he asked, "How many days left until Tomas' boat comes to bring me back to the mainland?"

  "Five, six, it all depends on the weather," she managed to get out, before dropping her hand to her side and staring at him longingly. He looked down at her as though she were a total stranger, and as the tears began to fall, she stalked away to the coracle, anxious to be alone with her grief.

  Declan struggled with his conscience for two minutes until the boat went out onto the billowing waves, and then he ran to the water's edge, and called, "Aidanna, I'm sorry! Come back, please!"

  But as she ignored him and continued to row out even further, he tore his doublet off, and began to swim after her as if his life depended upon it.

  "Aidanna, please, we've always been honest with each other. Will you listen to me now?" he pleaded as he clung to the edge of the boat.

  Aidanna's main impulse was to bash him over the head with her oar, but he sounded so sincere, that in the end she helped haul him into the boat by his shirt, and they sat facing each other like two enemies. He broke the ice by reaching out to touch her hand, which he took and kissed.

  "I won't lie to you and tell you our friendship isn't special for me, but I'm betrothed to the youngest daughter of the Duke of Norfolk."

  Aidanna felt a pain in her chest so acute that for a moment she could barely breathe.

  Declan continued more firmly, "There can be no future for us. I would be even worse than I already am if I continued to take advantage of your warmth and generosity by pretending I had no doubts or reservations, or if I allowed you to believe that I was free, or that my feelings for you could go beyond the respect and admiration I've held for you ever since we met."

  "I understand," Aidanna said, fighting back the tears. The one man who had ever truly treated her as an equal didn't care for her, while all those who claimed friendship were only after her bed and body, and all her castles and ships. But all the castles and ships couldn't match the incredible wealth of the Duke of Norfolk, Aidanna acknowledged bitterly.

  "So it was farewell all along, wasn't it, Declan? In spite of all the discussions we've had, between the two of us and with Ruairi and Diarmuid, you've always known you had to go back to do your duty, fulfil your destiny as a great courtier in Henry's household.

  "Well, I must compliment you, sir, on your devotion to duty, your levelheaded attention to business, and the fact that you can resist succumbing to your base desires by avoiding a liaison with a woman who would only drag you into disrepute."

  "Aidanna!"

  "No, Declan, I understand exactly what you've said. If you dislike hearing the truth, just think how I feel. Spare me the absurd protestations, and catch some fish."

  Her glowering silence made it quite clear to Declan that Aidanna did not forgive him, but nor was she the type to cause a scene by attempting to change his mind.

  Declan longed to kiss her senseless, if only to hear her whisper his name with longing, and he felt a telltale tightening in his loins which he knew he would not be able to subdue forever.

  They sat for a time in silence, until it became so oppressive, Aidanna turned the coracle around and headed back to the cave.

  She was just about to re-enter when Declan reached to help her, cupping her elbow very near her breast. brushed up against her. The warmth of each other's flesh burned like a hot brand...

  Reviews:

  "Aidanna O'Flaherty's world is pitched into chaos when she is wrongfully accused of murdering her stepson. Her only ray of hope lies in the dashing, English-bred aristocrat Declan Burke. They are drawn together against the threat of Aidanna's evil brother-in-law, and soon fall in love.

  "Their love is threatened when Declan is falsely accused of treason and thrown into the dreaded Tower. Aidanna must expose her enemy to save all she holds dear.

  "The Sea of Love is a captivating tale woven with rich settings and vivid characters. Aidann's and Declan's attraction is magnetic, and the suspenseful drama keeps a reader turning the pages." —Romantic Times, 4 stars

  "A marvelous romp back in time. It hooked me from the first sentence. Aidanna is a feisty heroine with a mind of her own, able to outwit most of the men around her, but with a heart of gold. She takes risks for those she loves, and most of the time she wins. But like all true seafarers, she sometimes sails too close to the wind.

  "Declan, the oh-so-sexy hero of the novel, is in way over his head when he first meets Aidanna. He has his own life back in England, and the last thing he wants is to be embroiled in Irish power politics. But his growing love for Aidanna makes him realize that he too has to stand up for justice.

  "Pacy, suspenseful, and always fascinating, this is one for your keeper pile." Evelyn Trimborn, Castles in the Air

  "Fascinating. The characters, the time periods, the intrigue, all make for a heady brew. Right from the start, you know Aidanna and Declan are made for each other, but the intrigues between rival clan members and the evil Duke of Norfolk, plotting with the Spanish for the overthrow of Henry VIII, make the lovers' lives uncertain. Aidanna braves everything fate can throw at her to be with the man she loves. Totrally gripping from start to finish, this is definitely one to be read in one sitting." Jacinta Carey, The Wildest Heart

  A selection of 5 star reviews from Amazon and Barnes and Noble

  Barnes and Noble Top 50 e book, June 2001-November 2001

  What a thrill!

  Non-stop action and romance that will have your heart pounding from fear and delight. Mystery, suspense, and a whole lot more, in a winning combination from this talented and prolific author.

  A superb read!

  At last, a sizzling romance about Ireland in a different period of time, and an author who does not talk down to their reader. Excellent research, sizzling romance, and more murder, mystery and intrigue than an Agatha Christie novel! Great stuff! Enjoy every word of it, just like I did!

  A rousing read; I loved it.

  Well-researched, with spellbinding characters and sizzling love scenes, it has all you could want in an historical novel and more. It was an action-packed novel from start to finish. I can't wait to read more of Ms.
MacMurrough's books on Ireland and its tumultuous history.

  Fantastic!

  I loved it! A great period of history which has not been explored yet. The author certainly knows their stuff! And the romance and suspense-better than any thrillers I read recently. Definitely one to watch out for in the future!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Sorcha Mac Murrough

  Sorcha is a prolific writer of historical novels and romances who loves to cook and travel.

  Other works by the author:

  Contemporary Romance:

  Heart's Desire

  Star Attraction

  Romantic Thriller:

  Ghost From the Past

  Historical Fiction:

  Medieval

  The Hart and the Harp

  Tudor

  The Faithful Heart

  The Sea of Love

  Regency

  The Rakehell Regency Romance Series

  18 titles

  Napoleonic

  The Scars of the Heart Series

  THE SEA OF LOVE

  SORCHA MACMURROUGH

  HerStory Books

  Dedication: to my family.

  Copyright the author 1998, 2001, 2004 USA, UK, Rest of World

  Fourth edition with additional material copyright 2008

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

  Under the 1988 UK copyright laws, the author asserts the right to be identified as the creator of this work.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Published by HerStory Books

  1-58345-789-5 paperback

  ISBN 13: 978-1-58345-789-4

  www.herstorybooks.com

  Please visit us for more great historical romance.

  If you like this book, please post a review at the site. We have a weekly contest to win free books, and much more.

  The West Coast of Ireland, Summer 1546

  CHAPTER ONE

  The oaken door splintered inwards with a mighty crash. Aidanna lurched upwards from the bed, and gasped as her brother-in-law Donal caught hold of her wrist and jerked her to her feet.

  "What's wrong? Is Malachi ill again?" Aidanna gaped, as she trembled with fear and cold.

  She looked from one face to the other in the dim torch light, and suddenly realised she was standing before them completely naked. Donal threw her arm away from him as though he had been burnt, and barked at the serving girl, "Get her a gown!"

  One man, a stranger, tall and dark, stood staring at her unabashedly. Aidanna flicked her long auburn tresses over her shoulders to fall forward over her breasts as Rosa scurried about for her smock.

  She shivered again, but her anger welled up as she demanded, "What is happening? Are we under attack? You have no right to come barging in here like this, with the entire clan at your heels!"

  Rosa pulled the smock over Aidanna's head from behind. She thrust her arms into the sleeves, and then squared up to the portly man standing in front of her. "I've only just got to bed after nursing my step-son for the past fortnight, so if this is some sort of game, Donal Mor, you're going to regret it!"

  She had always mistrusted her brother-in-law, and the dislike certainly seemed mutual as he lifted his huge fist and smashed her in the face. Her jaw throbbed, but she was only temporarily dazed, and would have fought him with her bare hands had her arms not been wrestled roughly behind her and tightly bound.

  "We're arresting you for the murder of Malachi Burke, and don't pretend your innocence, you witch!"

  Aidanna ceased her frantic struggles, as her aching jaw dropped open.

  "Dead! What do you mean, he's dead! He can't be! The fever had turned! He was well. He was going to come to the ceremony tomorrow," Aidanna trailed off in a whisper, as she realised with a pang that not only was her stepson dead, but she herself was now in grave danger.

  She looked from one face to the other, and read nothing but hatred. Except for the stranger carrying the torch, they all avoided her gaze. Only he seemed to listen to her, his light brown eyes almost golden in the flickering light. But before she could say another word, Donal ordered her to be taken to the dungeon.

  As her feet dragged over the rushes, Aidanna's patience snapped.

  "I'm innocent! For God's sake, he was my stepson! I saved his life, nursed him! He was well! Ask the servants, they'll tell you!" She struggled furiously, wriggling out of the two clansmen's grip like an eel desperate for survival.

  "They'll tell us naught with their throats cut, as you well know," Donal snarled.

  She landed on the floor with a thud, and stared once more. Donal certainly had worked it all out, down the the smallest detail…

  She kicked out at the bench nearby, ramming it hard into the legs of the men trying to drag her to her feet once more. They grunted in pain, and she flashed up onto her feet to dodge them. Think, Aidanna, think….

  "Rosa, a warm woollen gown, and my cloak!" she called out in the confusion.

  "Take the little bitch already, will you!" Donal barked.

  "All right, I'll go," she said firmly. "But only to prove my innocence and that I have nothing to hide. But there's no need to be so rough."

  They gripped her a bit less tightly, but still dragged her toward the battered down door. As the room began to empty, she took advantage of the clattering and hubbub to whisper urgently to her maid in Spanish, "Diarmuid, get him to safety, before they kill him too!"

  Donal Mor hadn't noticed the exchange, but the stranger had, and he stood there frozen to the spot.

  Aidanna met his odd golden gaze, and pleaded desperately, "Whoever you are, surely you can see this has to stop? That I'm innocent."

  Another violent backhander from Donal's gauntlet prevented her from saying anything further, and her head lolled backwards as her knees crumpled and she began to lose consciousness.

  Strong arms caught her up behind her shoulders and knees, and she felt herself carried, almost tenderly, down the twisting spiral stairs of the castle.

  "No one is to see or speak to the prisoner, and I want all her household executed for their part in this conspiracy," she heard Donal command.

  "No!" she shrieked. "You can't do that! It's monstrous. They've done nothing. I'm innocent!"

  The last words she heard were a softly whispered, "I know. I won't let them kill you," before the cold darkness enveloped her completely.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Faithful to Donal Mor's word as the acting head of the Burke sept now that their acknowledge leader, young Malachi, was dead, Aidanna saw no one for days as she shivered in the icy dungeon accused of her step-son's murder. The surly servant who brought her a meagre amount of bread and wine once a day never spoke, indeed, never even looked at her.

  Aidanna paced up and down the cell, trying to stay warm, and piece together the events of the past few weeks, the past few months. Her life seemed to have been nothing but a series of tragedies, and the more she reflected upon them, the more convinced Aidanna became that a pattern was discernible.

  An icy fear gripped her heart. She had been so foolish, so trusting, and now felt certain she was being used as a pawn in an ambitious political chess game, with Donal Mor in control.

  She sighed and rubbed away the tears which had fallen unheeded. So many dead already, and she was to be next. How many more had been killed, just for being in the castle with her for the feast? Worse still, what would her father Murtagh do when he discovered Donal was holding her in the dungeon?

  Or Conn, her cousin, who had been a second brother to her, and her best friend and closest companion since her only brother Cathal's death four years ago. Wou
ld he foolishly try to rescue her himself, and be cut down in the process?

  The sound of footsteps descending the stairs made Aidanna wary, and she pulled her gown and cloak into some semblance of order and stood at the door quietly. She was prepared to meet her visitors with dignity, and was determined not to show fear.

  Donal came with two of his men, and the tall dark stranger, who seemed to trail along behind rather than actively accompany the three menacing figures. Aidanna once again took in the golden eyes, and lush mane of jet black hair which, however, was worn without the traditional Irish long fringe at the front. He was also completely clean-shaven, and she could see a deep cleft in his chin, and a small dimple which peeped out as he compressed his mouth into a grim line and stood outside the door. Aidanna concluded he had come from Dublin or England for the investiture ceremony of Malachi as tanaist or head of the Burke clan, only to find himself involved in a case of murder.