Rory now wanted his heir safely wed to a suitable young woman.
Niall, however, had preferred to remain free.

But today had changed that. He had fallen instantly in love with
Skye O’Malley. Never having been denied anything in his entire
life, Niall fully expected to have her.

On Niall’s right sat Eibhlin O’Malley, and throughout dinner he
devoted himself to the nun, much to Eibhlin’s secret amusement.
Like her perceptive stepmother, she had seen the sudden, powerful
attraction between Skye and Lord Burke. She pitied them both.

After dinner, O’Malley suggested that Skye show the O’Malley
rose garden to Lord Burke. It wasn’t an unusual request, for Dubhdara was proud of his youngest daughter’s beauty, wit, and manners.
He enjoyed impressing his guests with her. Anne could only hope
to God that Lord Burke remembered Skye was to be wed in a few
days.

Niall and Skye walked slowly from the hall, down the steps to
the entry, and across the lowered drawbridge. Neither spoke. The
mauve and golden twilight of the early Irish summer gave more than
enough light. The air was cool, with an occasional slight breeze that
carried to them the sensuous fragrance of the roses.

“My mother planned this garden for years,” murmured Skye.

“She loved roses. It was the one thing Da indulged her in. He had
bushes brought in from all over the world. It’s a beautiful garden,
isn’t it?”

“It is most charming,” replied Lord Burke gravely.

“Thank you.”

They walked a bit farther, in silence once more. As they came
to the end of the roses, Skye turned to go back to the castle, but
Lord Burke touched her shoulder and she stopped, her face upturned.
His strong arms wrapped about her. A flame of fierce joy shot
through her. She had known this would happen! She had wanted it
to happen! His dark head dipped, and Skye O’Malley’s lips parted
slightly like an opening rosebud as she received her very first kiss.