It did not help that Alec’s mind veered in the same direction. “Your father,” he said curtly. “Is he truly dead?”
Maura was stunned. “Do you think I would lie about my father’s death?” Bitterness etched her words.
Alec walked to the end of the fireplace, then back. He stopped, crossing his arms over his chest.
“And your mother? She was not acquainted with the baron’s late wife, was she?”
“My mother was laid to rest when I was a wee one.”
“And you had never met the baron before then?”
She shook her head.
“It was just a ruse to get you into the masquerade?”
“Aye.”
“So it was no accident you sought me out.”
“You seem to have all the answers, your grace. What do you think?”
A muscle ticked in Alec’s jaw. This was not the time to challenge him.
She continued, “If you’re looking for someone to blame, your grace, you need not look any further.”
“So you lied about who you were?”
She surged upright. “I did not lie! I am Lady Maura O’Donnell. My father was the earl!”
Alec clenched his teeth. McBride, he thought. She was no longer Maura O’Donnell. She was Maura McBride.
“And Murdoch, your uncle?” he demanded. “By heaven, he allowed you to come here alone? He abandoned you not knowing what kind of man I am? What I might do once we were alone?”
Maura thought of Murdoch, not so very far away in the next village. She cautiously decided that was best left unsaid.
He regarded her—regarded her until the silence that spun out was suffocating. “You’re hiding something,” he said softly. “What, I wonder? What role did he play in this?”
Maura couldn’t help it. Her gaze veered away, while Alec’s sharpened.
“Out with it, Irish!”
“Murdoch is not my uncle,” she said finally. She chose her words carefully. “He is…has been with my family for years.”
“He’s been with your family for years, eh? I suppose next you’ll be telling me he’s the family butler!”
Her eyes flew wide.
Alec swore. “Sweet heaven, he is, isn’t he?”
He didn’t need Maura’s affirmation to know it was true. Her features told the tale all too keenly.
“You tricked me into marriage,” he charged. “Why, Maura? Did you relish making a fool of me?”
“Think what you will, but it wasn’t like that. It wasn’t like that at all.”
Alec gave a self-mocking laugh. “Then how was it? By God, I don’t know what to believe! You deceived me, Maura. You tricked me into marriage. You’ve lied—by God, I cannot begin to guess how much. Why me, Duchess? Why did you purposely seek me out that night? I’m entitled to an explanation.”
Maura looked away. Rather, she tried to. He captured her shoulders. “Oh, no. There’ll be no turning away this time.”
