Daughters of Castle Deverill by Santa Montefiore

I’ve told you before and
I’ll tell you again, he’s not guilty of half the things you accuse him of She handed Kitty the teacup. ‘You have to forgive and forget if you ever hope to find
happiness.’
    ‘There are one or two things I will never forgive him for, Grace,’ Kitty retorted, but she knew that Grace wouldn’t listen to a word against Michael Doyle. She hadn’t
believed her when Kitty had told her that Michael had been responsible for burning the castle – and Kitty hadn’t told her what else Michael had done. She didn’t know why, perhaps
because of the close roles they had both played during the War of Independence, but Grace
cared
for Michael. ‘I’m not here to argue with you,’ said Kitty. ‘I need
your help.’
    ‘I thought so,’ said Grace, picking up her teacup and settling back into the cushions. ‘You’re sure you want to leave Ballinakelly? You’re sure you want to leave
Robert?’
    Kitty didn’t want to think about Robert. The guilt was unbearable. ‘Jack and I belong together, Grace,’ she said, angry that she felt she had to argue her case. ‘Fate has
separated us at every turn, but this time nothing can prevent us being together. I need to invent a story so that I can leave with Little Jack without raising suspicion. As you know, Robert writes
at home, so he’s always in the house. I need you to give me an alibi.’
    Grace’s smile hovered over her teacup. ‘Considering the alibi you once gave me, it will be my pleasure to repay you in kind.’
    ‘So, will you help me?’
    ‘Kitty, my dear, you saved my life after the murder of Colonel Manley. If you hadn’t claimed to have had supper with me the night I lured him to his death they would have accused me
of being an accomplice in his murder and put me away.’
    ‘If they had known half of what you and I got up to during the Troubles they would have put
both
of us away,’ Kitty added wryly.
    ‘Indeed they would. So, helping you now is the very least I can do. But it would be wrong of me, as a friend, not to advise you honestly. Little Jack has two fathers: Bertie, his
biological father, and Robert who is everything a father should be. He has yet to know Bertie, although in time I’m sure he will, but he loves Robert, that’s undeniable. Think of
him
when you plot your escape. Is your happiness more important than his? By removing him from everything he knows and loves you will be causing him unknown distress. After all you have
been through, surely you can appreciate the importance of firm roots and a loving home with
both
parents.’ Kitty’s face darkened as she was forced to confront the possible
consequences of her actions and the shame in building her happiness on the unhappiness of those who loved her. ‘I’m sorry,’ Grace continued. ‘I don’t wish to be
awkward, but I’m older and wiser than you, and it will be me who is left to pick up the pieces of your desertion. You may not realize it, but your father loves you dearly. He’s grown
very proud of his illegitimate little son. I can see it in his eyes when he speaks of him. I’m sure that if you give their relationship a chance, Bertie and Little Jack could become great
friends.’
    ‘Don’t forget that my father originally disowned me for taking in Little Jack. He would have preferred that I left him to die on the doorstep.’
    Grace was shocked. ‘That’s not true,’ she interjected quickly. ‘He was horrified at first, of course, but once he had had time to think about it, he changed heart. He
realized that nothing in life is more important than family. Didn’t he recognize him in front of the whole family? Little Jack is his
son
, Kitty. He’s a Deverill.’
    ‘I won’t be persuaded, Grace. I lost Jack last time because I believed I had a responsibility
here
, but this time I’ll take Little Jack with me.’
    ‘I don’t condone what you are doing, Kitty, but I know that I owe you my life. You can say you’re bringing