Read Online To Tempt an Irish Rogue by Kaitlin O'Riley - Free Book Online

death. Although there are people who would dearly love to believe otherwise.”
    The honesty in his voice and the sincerity in his eyes confirmed what she had felt in her heart. Declan had not killed his wife. Paulette felt more than a little relieved by his response, too.
    “But why?” she questioned him. “Why do people blame you for her death, Declan?”
    “Because sometimes it’s easier to blame a person for something that has happened than to accept the reality.”
    “Which is . . .” she prompted him to continue.
    His mouth set in a grim line. “A very long story for another time perhaps.”
    Paulette sat silent for a moment. “Thank you for telling me as much as you did. My questions were a bit presumptuous.”
    “No, your questions were honest and I appreciate that. Most people don’t have the nerve to ask me to my face. They’d rather whisper and spread rumors behind my back.”
    “That must be a dreadful feeling.”
    “It is.”
    “Is that why you left Ireland?”
    “Yes, partly. And I also wanted Mara to see some doctors here in London.”
    Paulette thought of the little blond-haired girl with her father’s eyes. “I hope the doctors can help her.”
    “Thank you. I do, too.”
    “Where in Ireland are you from?”
    “Dublin.”
    “Is it very different from London?”
    “Not very. In some ways they are very much alike. Then again, most large cities are the same.”
    “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been anywhere except here,” Paulette said with a sigh.
    “All large cities seem to be the same. Crowded, noisy, and dirty.”
    Paulette laughed at his remark. “I’ve heard people say that. How long are you planning to stay in London?”
    “I’m not sure yet. Now it’s my turn,” Declan said, with a grin.
    “Your turn for what?”
    “My turn to ask you questions.”
    Paulette smiled. “Oh, I guess that’s only fair.”
    He placed his hand under his chin, resting his elbow on the counter. “Why aren’t you married, Paulette? A beautiful girl like you?”
    Surprised by his question, she was also caught off guard by his compliment. “I haven’t met anyone I want to marry.”
    “Why is that, do you think?”
    “I honestly don’t know.”
    “But you’re happy here, working in the bookshop with your sisters?”
    “Yes, very much so.”
    “How old are you?”
    “I’ll be twenty-one next month. How old are you?” she asked.
    Declan shook his head. “Oh, no. My turn is not over. No questions from you yet. But if you must know, I’m five and twenty.”
    “Oh.” He was much closer to her in age than she had originally thought. “You must have married very young! Why, Mara is four years old, isn’t she?”
    “Paulette?”
    “Yes?”
    “You’re interrupting my turn.”
    “I’m sorry. I promise I won’t interrupt again. Please continue.”
    “Thank you.” He paused a moment before asking, “Why did you let me kiss you this morning?”
    Why had she let him kiss her? She’d been asking herself that same question all day and had only been able to come up with one response.
    “Because I couldn’t help it. I’d never been kissed before and I—”
    “Do you mean to tell me that no man has kissed you before me?” Declan was clearly astonished. “Before today?”
    “No.” Flooded with embarrassment, Paulette felt her cheeks grow warm. Why did speaking about kissing her seem more mortifying than his actually kissing her? She had no idea, but she liked sitting here with him, talking. He was surprisingly easy to converse with.
    “Well, thank you, Paulette. That was an honor I didn’t know I had. Now I feel even more regretful over kissing you though.”
    “Oh, don’t regret it!” she cried out. “I thought our kiss was wonderful! Didn’t you?”
    “You’re a funny little thing, aren’t you?” He looked amused by her. “Do you always say exactly what you’re thinking?”
    “Not deliberately.” She paused, feeling slightly panicked. “Didn’t you think it